Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Ertan Hurer (Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources).

Members of the Cabinet are invited to identify any personal or prejudicial interests relevant to items on the agenda. Please refer to the guidance note attached to the agenda.

Councillor Glynis Vince (Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services) declared a personal interest in Report No.180 – Building Schools for the Future – Outline Business Case and Report No.181 – Turin Grove and Gladys Aylward Schools – Closure and Re-opening as Academies in her capacity as a Governor of Turin Grove School and as her husband was a Governor of Broomfield School. (Minute Nos.8 and 9 below refer).

The Chairman will consider the admission of any late reports (listed on the agenda but circulated late) which have not been circulated in accordance with the requirements of the Council’s Constitution and the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) (England) Amendment Regulations 2002.

Note: The above requirements state that agendas and reports should be circulated at least 5 clear working days in advance of meetings.

NOTED that the reports listed on the agenda had been circulated in accordance with the requirements of the Council’s Constitution and the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) (England) Amendment Regulations 2002. These requirements state that agendas and reports should be circulated at least 5 clear days in advance of meetings.

To note that no requests for deputations (with or without petitions) have been received for presentation to this Cabinet meeting.

NOTED that no requests for deputations (with or without petitions) had been received for presentation to this Cabinet meeting.

A report from the Director of Finance and Corporate Resources is attached. This sets out the Council’s revenue budget monitoring position for 2009/10 based on information to the end of November 2009. (Key decision – reference number 2959)

(Report No.177)

Councillor Michael Rye (Leader of the Council) introduced the report of the Director of Finance and Corporate Resources (No.177) setting out the Council’s revenue budget monitoring position for 2009/10 based on information to the end of November 2009.

NOTED

1.         that the report indicated a potential overspend in 2009/10 of £11k (£652k reported in October). The significant change since the last report was largely due to the proposed use of earmarked reserves in connection with Community Housing. Members noted the summary of the projected variances against budget as detailed in table 1 of the report. The budget pressures in relation to Place Shaping and Enterprise, section 5.2 of the report referred, were noted;

2.         the need to approve additional expenditure to maintain the road network in the light of the recent period of cold weather and its effect on the highways (decision 5 below refers);

3.         Councillor Terence Neville took this opportunity to praise the excellent response of contractors and officers in snow clearing and gritting roads in the Borough during the recent cold weather. Enfield’s performance had compared well to neighbouring areas. The cost of this provision was high with approximately £277k having been spent to date. Members discussed the issue of residents clearing their own areas of pavement and the misconception that prosecutions could arise if injuries then occurred on the cleared areas. An information article would be placed in the forthcoming edition of Our Enfield.

Alternative Options Considered: Not applicable to this report.

DECISION: The Cabinet

1.         noted the outturn projection of an £11k overspend;

2.         agreed to approve the projected overspend in the Community Housing area of Housing and Adult Social Care be covered by a transfer (£427k) from the Homelessness Initiatives Earmarked Reserve (as detailed in paragraph 5.1.1 of the report);

3.         agreed to approve in principle a re-direction of £1.048m from General Contingency and Contingent Items to cover funding needs of “one off” projects (as detailed in paragraph 6.2 of the report);

4.         agreed to approve the expected £46k reduction in the cost of the Heritable Bank Impairment loss and for £200k of the previously forecast Treasury underspend to be applied to the Interest Rate Equalisation Reserve (as detailed in paragraph 6.1 of the report);

5.         agreed to approve additional expenditure from revenue and capital funding to maintain the road network following the recent period of cold weather.

Reason: To ensure that Members were aware of the projected budgetary position for the Authority, including all major budget pressures and underspends which had contributed to the present monthly position and that were likely to affect the final outturn.

(Key decision – reference number 2959)

A report from the Chief Executive is attached. This presents the 2009/10 Quarter 2 data against key corporate and partnership performance indicators. (Non key)

(Report No.178)

Councillor Henry Pipe (Cabinet Member for Customer Focus, Communications and Corporate Improvement) introduced the report of the Chief Executive (No.178) presenting Cabinet with the 2009/10 Quarter 2 data against key corporate and partnership performance indicators.

NOTED

1.         the progress made towards delivering the identified key priority indicators for Enfield;

2.         a number of updates on the figures stated in the report and the good progress which was being made. Members were pleased to note the continued improvements in performance;

3.         that the key findings from the 2009 Enfield Residents’ Survey, which had been conducted on behalf of the Council by Ipsos MORI, between September and December 2009, was due to be reported to a forthcoming Cabinet meeting.

Alternative Options Considered: None.

Reason: To update Cabinet on the progress made against all key priority performance indicators for the Council and Enfield Strategic Partnership.

(Non key)

A report from the Co-Directors of Education, Children’s Services and Leisure is attached. This seeks approval for the “Creative Enfield” – borough-wide Arts and Creativity Strategy following public consultation. (Key decision – reference number 2961)

(Report No.179)

Councillor Jon Kaye (Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture, Olympics 2012 and Voluntary Sector) introduced the report of the Co-Directors of Education, Children’s Services and Leisure (No.179) seeking approval for the “Creative Enfield – borough-wide Arts and Creativity Strategy following public consultation.

NOTED

1.         that the Strategy brought together the Arts and Creative Industries in a single Strategy, as detailed in the report. The Strategy would support positive developments in improving the quality of facilities for the Arts, develop the commissioning role of the Council, encourage partnership working and assist in seeking funding for projects. Councillor Kaye outlined a number of significant projects and aspirations which were now all brought together within one comprehensive document;

2.         that Members’ expressed their appreciation to Simon Gardner, Assistant Director Leisure and Culture, and Lorraine Cox, Cultural Services Manager, for their efforts in the development of the Strategy;

3.         following discussion, that the possibility of displaying local artists’ work for sale at exhibition spaces within the Borough including libraries and Thomas Hardy House, should be explored further.

Alternative Options Considered: There were none that would satisfy the above objectives.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL that

1.         the “Creative Enfield” Strategy (Appendix A to the report) be approved:

2.         the Co-Directors of Education, Children’s Services and Leisure, and the Director of Place Shaping and Enterprise be instructed to add the strategy to the suite of cultural strategies and include it within the statutory plan for the Borough, the Local Development Framework;

3.         the Co-Directors of Education, Children’s Services and Leisure, and the Director of Place Shaping and Enterprise take forward and action the prioritised Key Aims contained in the Strategy.

Reason: The “Creative Enfield” Strategy would allow better management and prioritisation of resources to help ensure the Council improved its effectiveness in the field and boosts public confidence (section 4 of the report referred).

(Key decision – reference number 2961)

A report from the Co-Directors of Education, Children’s Services and Leisure is attached. This seeks approval to submit the outline business case to Partnerships for Schools. (Key decision – reference number 2985)

(Report No.180)

Councillor Michael Rye (Leader of the Council) introduced the report of the Co-Directors of Education, Children’s Services and Leisure (No.180) proposing to submit the Outline Business Case for approval in January 2010, setting out the reasons for the submission and seeking approval to do so.

NOTED

1.         that Councillor Rye should be listed as the Cabinet Member consulted on the report, not Councillor Vince who had a personal interest in the matter (Minute No.2 above refers);

2.         an amendment to recommendations 2.2 and 2.3 in the report to state that delegated authority be given to the Leader of the Council in consultation with the Co-Directors for Education, Children’s Services and Leisure (decisions 2 and 3 below reflect these amendments);

3.         the discussions which were currently taking place with the London Boroughs of Barnet and Brent with a view to their potential involvement which could result in the costs being shared across the authorities.

Alternative Options Considered: Not to pursue the Building Schools for the Future programme, as detailed in section 4 of the report.

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed that

1.         the Council submits the Outline Business Case to Partnerships for Schools to progress procurement of a Local Education Partner and draw down the related funding;

2.         delegated authority be given to the Leader of the Council in consultation with the Co-Directors of Education, Children’s Services and Leisure, to produce the final drafts of the Outline Business Case and submit these to Partnerships for Schools (PfS), and where necessary amend the Outline Business Case following PfS’s review;

3.         on approval of the Outline Business Case by the PfS, delegated authority be given to the Leader of the Council in consultation with the Co-Directors of Education, Children’s Services and Leisure to issue an OJEU and negotiate with bidders on behalf of the Authority to procure a Local Education Partner, and seeking to develop a joint Local Education Partner with the London Boroughs of Barnet and Brent. Where possible, the Council proposes to use standard PfS documentation for the procurement;

4.         the financial implications and its affordability be subject to the approval of the Director of Finance and Corporate Resources as the Council’s Finance Control Officer (Defined by Accounts and Audit Regulations 2003) as required by Section 151 of the Local Government Act 1972, and that the Council’s Finance Control Officer be delegated to make amendments to the Section 151 letter where necessary.

Reason: The Outline Business Case submission and consequent approvals would lock the funding for the Building Schools for the Future scheme and would give permission to proceed to procurement. This provided the opportunity for substantial capital investment in the Borough to address building deficiencies and to promote pupil achievement. The report explored the potential benefits of proceeding with the Outline Business Case submission and subsequent procurement of a Local Education Partner.

(Key decision – reference number 2985)

A report from the Co-Directors of Education, Children’s Services and Leisure is attached. This outlines the processes required to formally close Turin Grove and Gladys Aylward Schools on condition that agreements are in place to enable both schools to immediately re-open as academies with effect from 1 September 2010. (Key decision – reference number 3007)

(Report No.181)

Councillor Michael Rye (Leader of the Council) introduced the report of the Co-Directors of Education, Children’s Services and Leisure (No.181) outlining the processes required to formally close Turin Grove and Gladys Aylward Schools on condition that agreements were in place to enable both schools to immediately re-open as academies with effect from 1 September 2010.

Alternative Options Considered: Not to pursue the Building Schools for the Future programme, as detailed in section 4 of the report.

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed that

1.         the Leader of the Council, in conjunction with the Co-Directors of Education, Children’s Services and Leisure be given Delegated Authority to approve, following consultation, the publication of statutory proposals to close Turin Grove and Gladys Aylward Schools on condition that agreements were in place to enable both schools to immediately re-open as academies with effect from 1 September 2010;

2.         officers be authorised to commence the process with the Academies Enterprise Trust and the London Development Agency to develop Gladys Aylward School as an academy from 1 September 2010;

3.         in the event of decisions being required during an election period, delegated authority be given to the Co-Directors of Education, Children’s Services and Leisure in order to meet the deadlines for the processes to formally close the Schools.

Reason: In order to maximise investment in Enfield Schools in order to drive improvements in pupil achievement.

(Key decision – reference number 3007)

 A report from the Director of Place Shaping and Enterprise is attached. This seeks approval to an extension of the existing Security Guarding contract. (Key decision – reference number 3010)

(Report No.182)

Councillor Michael Lavender (Deputy Leader/Sustainable Communities and Employment and Place Shaping) introduced the report of the Director of Place Shaping and Enterprise (No.182) seeking agreement for a contract extension with Legion Security to 31 March 2010, whilst the full re-tender, which was currently underway, takes place.

Alternative Options Considered: NOTED that it was a condition of Council Contract Procedure Rules that the contract had to be re-tendered. The alternatives were:

• Not to provide the security staffing services. Not feasible.
• To bring the services in-house, which would be cost prohibitive and against the leaner Enfield agenda and was therefore also rejected.
• To bring another contractor in to cover the temporary extension period and would impact on service levels. This was rejected as the tender process was already underway.

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed that

1.         the existing contract with Legion Security be extended to 31 March 2010 whilst the full tender process, which was underway, was completed;

2.         the sum of £479,685 be approved to cover the period of the further extension.

Reason: To continue to maintain the current service level and standards of service provision to internal and external clients with minimal disruption while the full tender process completes.

(Key decision – reference number 3010)

No items have been received for consideration at this meeting.

NOTED that no items had been received for consideration at this meeting.

To confirm any items to be referred to the Council.

AGREED that the following item be referred to full Council:

1.         Report No.179 – “Creative Enfield” Borough Wide Arts and Cultural Strategy 2009-13

Attached is a provisional list of items scheduled for future Cabinet meetings.

NOTED the list of provisional items scheduled for future Cabinet meetings.

Members are asked to consider any forthcoming key decisions for inclusion on the Council’s Forward Plan.

Note: the next Forward Plan is due to be published on 12 February 2010, this will cover the period from 1 March to 30 June 2010.

NOTED that the next Forward Plan was due to be published on 12 February 2010, this would cover the period from 1 March to 30 June 2010.  

To receive, for information, the minutes of the meeting of the Local Development Framework Cabinet Sub-Committee held on 30 November 2009.

NOTED, for information, the minutes of the meeting of the Local Development Framework Cabinet Sub-Committee held on 30 November 2009.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting of the Cabinet held on 16 December 2009.

AGREED that the minutes of the previous meeting of the Cabinet held on 16 December 2009 be confirmed and signed by the Leader as a correct record.

To identify any matters arising from the above minutes.

There were no matters arising.

To receive an oral update from members of the Enfield Strategic Partnership Board (Councillor Michael Rye (Chairman) and Henry Pipe).

Councillor Michael Rye advised Members that the Enfield Strategic Partnership Away-Day was due to take place on Thursday 21 January 2010, this was an annual event.  

Cabinet members may wish to take this opportunity to raise any issues which may be of interest to Cabinet colleagues.

19.1         Education and Children’s Services

Councillor Glynis Vince (Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services) informed Members of the First FAST (Families and Schools Together) project which had involved families from Churchfield and Houndsfield primary schools. The project had resulted in positive outcomes for the families involved.

Members were pleased to note that Enfield had been recognised by NAPP (National Association of Parent Practitioners) for the creative and innovative way in which the Council was engaging parents from BME communities to deliver parent training to parents in Enfield.

Councillor Vince reported on the forthcoming launch of the Starbucks Youth Café, due on 29 January 2010, with invitations being sent to local secondary schools. The Children’s Area Board 4 had been working with the Police and Youth Support Service and Starbucks to get this project up and running.

Our Lady of Lourdes was one of the top 100 primary schools in England, ranked on the aggregate of pupils who had achieved Level 5 in each of the three tests in English, Maths and Science.

Members were advised that the Department for Children, Schools and Families had recognised Enfield’s work with special educational needs children as exemplar practice.

19.2         Adult Social Services

Councillor Edward Smith (Cabinet Member for Adult Social Services) highlighted to Members that during the recent snow the Council’s dedicated home care staff and meals service had ensured that older people in Enfield continued to receive a service. No home care visits had been missed. Members praised the efforts of staff and expressed their appreciation to them.

Members were pleased to note the recent announcement that Adult Safeguarding Boards would be placed on a firm, statutory foundation for the first time. Legislation would follow to set out clearly both the role of the Board and of the organisations that were required to participate within it. This would strengthen the Council’s abilities in this area of work.

19.3         Customer Focus, Communications and Corporate Improvement

NOTED that there were no matters to report at this meeting in respect of the areas of Customer Focus, Communications and Corporate Improvement. 

19.4         Environment and Street Scene

Councillor Terence Neville (Cabinet Member for Environment and Street Scene) advised Members that the Council had extended the contract for the Blue Badge Fraud Investigation Team until the end of September 2010. The tenders for the Parking and Traffic Enforcement contract were currently being evaluated and a report would be presented to a future meeting of the Cabinet.

The Eco detectives project was being expanded (the Council’s junior street environment champions) to five more schools from January 2010. This scheme had been short listed for a Keep Britain Tidy Award for preventative projects.

New litter bins were to be provided at every bus stop on the A406 and A10.

The re-use collections had been expanded to allow more furniture to be collected and re-used rather than being disposed of.

Councillor Neville advised Members of recent successful prosecutions brought by Planning and Environmental Protection Officers.

Members noted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

The next meeting of the Cabinet is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 10 February 2010 at 8.00pm at the Civic Centre.

NOTED that the next meeting of the Cabinet was scheduled to take place on Wednesday 10 February 2010 at 8.00pm at the Civic Centre.