Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Donald McGowan (Cabinet Member for Older People and Adult Social Services).

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.

There were no declarations of interest.  

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 Co-Directors of Education, Children’s Services and Leisure is attached. This summarises the existing primary capital strategy and sets out the most recent pupil projections together with the implications of these projections from 2010/11 to 2019/20. (Key decision – reference number 3173)

(Report No.95)

(8.10 – 8.20pm)

Councillor Ayfer Orhan (Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services) introduced the report of the Co-Directors of Education, Children’s Services and Leisure (No.95) summarising the existing primary capital strategy and setting out the most recent pupil projections together with the implications of these projections from 2011/12 to 2019/20.

NOTED

1.         that a revised strategy was being proposed for providing additional places through measures that aim to minimise cost whilst providing places in the areas of highest demand and therefore reducing pupil mobility across the Borough;

2.         that Members’ attention was drawn to the recommendations in the report, as set out in the decisions below;

3.         with regard to the proposed expansion of Merryhills Primary School, in response to concerns regarding increased traffic in the area, a Sustainable Transport Strategy would be developed with all nearby schools in order to fully engage parents and improve the traffic conditions in the wider area, paragraph 4.5 of the report referred;

4.         that following the publication of a Statutory Notice to enlarge Merryhills School the process of formal public consultation would begin;

5.         that officers would continue to explore alternative options to secure additional primary school places, including maximising any opportunities that might attract Government capital funding. The Council would seek to maximise flexibility to ensure that adequate pupil places were provided. Councillor Orhan highlighted the negative impact of the Government’s decision with regard to the future of the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme and the loss of significant funding to the Authority;

6.         Neil Rousell, Co-Director of Education and Children’s Services, outlined for Members the concept of partner schools as detailed in section 4 of the report. Members noted the display of example modular buildings at the meeting and the high quality of the proposed constructions. The concept would build on existing good practice already developed in the Borough through federation and other support networks. The timescales and potential costs for the development of the partner schools were outlined for Members, as set out in the report. Costs were being reduced whilst ensuring that quality was maintained;

7.         in response to a question from Councillor Anwar, in was noted that the feedback received from Headteachers to the concept of partner schools had been positive and supportive. This strategy would reduce the need for bulge classes;

8.         that Councillor Orhan had visited a number of Schools and met with School Governors, feedback received had been supportive.

Alternative Options Considered: NOTED that Officers had been exploring all possible options to increase the provision of places to meet the short term surge in demand and anticipated long term needs, using desk top studies, site visits and feasibility studies. Efforts had been directed towards schools in areas of the Borough where demand for additional places was highest and where there were suitable sites. Section 5 of the report set out the full details of the alternative options which had been considered.

DECISION: The Cabinet

In relation to the current strategy for providing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

A report from the Director of Place Shaping and Enterprise is attached. This seeks endorsement for the Core Strategy, along with additional Minor and Further Minor Changes put forward by the Council during the examination process. The report recommends that the Core Strategy be formally adopted by the Council at its meeting on 10 November 2010. (Key decision – reference number 3159)

Note: Members are asked to refer to the supporting documents circulated under separate cover to the agenda.

(Report No.96)

(8.20 – 8.35pm)

Councillor Del Goddard (Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Improving Localities) introduced the report of the Director of Place Shaping and Enterprise (No.96) seeking endorsement of the Core Strategy, along with additional Minor Changes put forward by the Council during the examination process, for recommendation to full Council at its meeting on 10 November 2010.

Councillor Goddard expressed his thanks and appreciation to all officers who had been involved in the significant and lengthy process of producing the Core Strategy for Enfield. It was recognised that the process had started under the previous Council administration.

NOTED

1.         the importance and significance of the Core Strategy and its influence on many aspects of the Council’s work. The Core Strategy had been through the process of public examination and Members could now either adopt or reject the Strategy. The Planning Inspector had concluded that the Core Strategy was sound;

2.         Joanne Woodward, Planning Policy Team Leader, was invited to give a presentation to Members on the Adoption of the Core Strategy. The process which had been followed and the future work to be carried out were highlighted for Members. The following areas were covered:

·        The Planning System

·        The Enfield Local Development Framework: Relationship of Component Documents

·        The next 12+ months

·        Development Management Document

·        The Inspector’s Report

·        Relationship with other strategic documents

·        Area Plans and Masterplans

A number of key points arising from the Inspector’s report were outlined to Members. The minor changes which had been put forward had been those requested by the Council, no changes had been imposed by the Inspector.

3.         the supporting documentation which had been received by Members including the Inspector’s Report (Appendix 1), Schedule of Extant UDP Policies (Appendix 2), Minor and Further Minor Changes arising from the Inspector’s report of the Core Strategy, and an Executive Summary of the Spatial Strategy and Core Policies.  Copies of the full Core Strategy were also available to Members.

Councillor Taylor expressed his appreciation of the significant work which had been undertaken to date. The Core Strategy would now go forward to full Council for formal adoption.

Alternative Options Considered: None considered; preparation of the Local Development Framework was a statutory local authority requirement. Having an adopted Core Strategy in place brings greater confidence to both public and private sector agencies and investors, and was essential to support the Council’s corporate objectives.

DECISION: The Cabinet noted the Inspector’s conclusion of a “sound” Core Strategy contained within his report, detailed in Appendix 1 to the report. The Cabinet agreed the Minor and Further Minor Changes appended to the Inspector’s report and an Executive Summary of the final version of the Core Strategy which had been circulated to all Members.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL the formal adoption of the Enfield LDF Core Strategy as consolidated with minor changes and the approval of the Schedule of Extant Unitary Development Plan Policies as set out in Appendix 2 to the report.

Reason: The reasons for the recommendations were detailed in the report.

(Key decision –  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

A report from the Co-Directors of Education, Children’s Services and Leisure is attached. This seeks permission to delegate the tender approvals of the Leisure Centre capital development programme to the Cabinet Member for Young People, Culture, Leisure, Sports and the Olympics up to the levels indicated in the Cabinet report of March 2010. (Key decision – reference number 3152)

(Report No.97)

(8.35 – 8.40pm)

Councillor Bambos Charalambous (Cabinet Member for Young People and Culture, Leisure, Sport and the Olympics) introduced the report of the Co-Directors of Education, Children’s Services and Leisure (No.97) seeking permission to delegate the tender approvals of the leisure centre capital development programme to the Cabinet Member for Young People, Culture, Leisure, Sports and the Olympics up to the levels indicated in the Cabinet report of March 2010.

NOTED the background to, and terms of the contract and capital development programme as set out in the report.            

Alternative Options Considered: NOTED that the alternative option was to leave the decision making as outlined in the Council’s constitution. This however, did not allow the same level of flexibility and should a particular Cabinet date be missed due to delays caused by clarifying tenders there was potential to incur added costs in the management fee.

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed that

1.         authority be given to delegate the decision making for the tender approval process for all the Leisure Centre Capital Developments jointly to the Cabinet Member for Young People and Culture, Leisure, Sport and the Olympics;

2.         this authority be approved on the basis that the tender price does not increase beyond the £8,911,873 already approved as a pre tender estimate.

Reason: This proposal allowed for flexibility in approving the tenders but ensured through the report back to Cabinet at a later stage that Members would be informed of the issues.

(Key decision – reference number 3152)

No items have been received for consideration at this meeting.

There were no issues arising.

To confirm any items to be referred to the Council.

AGREED that the following report be referred to the Council:

1.         Report No.96 – Adoption of the Core Strategy of Enfield’s Local Development Framework

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

NOTED the list of provisional items scheduled for future Cabinet meetings. The list was subject to future changes. Councillor Taylor drew Members’ attention to the significant number of items due for consideration at the Cabinet meetings on 24 November and 15 December 2010.

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 16 November 2010, this will cover the period from 1 December 2010 to 31 March 2010.

NOTED that the next Forward Plan was due to be published on 16 November 2010, this would cover the period from 1 December 2010 to 31 March 2011

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting of the Cabinet held on 13 October 2010.

AGREED that the minutes of the previous meeting of the Cabinet held on 13 October 2010 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To receive an oral update from members of the Enfield Strategic Partnership Board (Councillor Doug Taylor and Councillor Achilleas Georgiou).

(8.45 – 8.50pm)

Councillor Doug Taylor (Leader of the Council) reported that the Enfield Strategic Partnership Away-Day was scheduled to take place on 11 November 2010 and a Board meeting would follow in December 2010. Further information on the Enfield Strategic Partnership would be presented to a future Cabinet meeting.

To note that the next meeting of the Cabinet is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 24 November 2010 at 8.00pm at the Civic Centre.

NOTED that the next meeting of the Cabinet was scheduled to take place on Wednesday 24 November 2010 at 8.00pm at the Civic Centre.