A report from the Executive Director – Place is attached. (Report No.201, agenda part two also refers) (Key decision – reference number 5085)

(Report No.198)

Councillor Nesil Caliskan (Leader of the Council) introduced the report of the Executive Director – Place (No.198) seeking approval to enter into a grant agreement with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

NOTED

1.            That the conditions of the grant agreement were not considered to be disproportionate to the scale and complexity of the project and did not unduly increase the Council’s risk exposure.

2.            That Enfield was likely to be the first of three key projects in London to sign the grant agreement. The detailed work involved was recognised and Members’ attention was drawn to the comprehensive exempt information provided in part two, as detailed below. Members’ noted the key risks and mitigation measures set out in section 7 of the report.

3.            The significant progress that had been made to date and the hope that all Councillors would support the delivery of the Meridian Water development. The proposals had been welcomed by local residents and would be of long-term benefit to the Borough.

Alternative Options Considered: NOTED, the alternative options which had been considered as set out in section 4 of the report including: Do nothing; further borrowing from the Government; and, the Council leaves the infrastructure works to third party developers.

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed

1.            Having regard to the conditions of the Grant Agreement (GDA) and Assurance Framework issued by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) as set out in Appendix A and Appendix B of Report No.198, containing exempt information (Minute No.19 below referred), authorised entering into the GDA for the receipt of funding.

2.            To delegate authority to the Meridian Water Programme Director in consultation with the Executive Director – Resources and the Director of Law and Governance to finalise the terms of the funding agreement and all associated subsidiary documents.

3.            To delegate authority to the Director of Law and Governance to enter into the grant agreement with MHCLG.

4.            To authorise drawdown of £19m preliminary works expenditure from the Capital Programme, such funding to be reimbursed from the HIF funding upon satisfaction of the funding conditions.

5.            To delegate authority to the Meridian Water Programme Director in consultation with the Leader of the Council to approve the preferred rail solution and procurement option for rail delivery, provided the costs of delivery would not exceed the level of grant funding made available to the Council.

6.            To delegate authority to the Meridian Water Programme Director in consultation with the Director of Law and Governance to enter into agreements for additional grants associated with Meridian Water infrastructure delivery.

Reason: NOTED, the detailed reasons for the recommendations as set out in section 5 of the report.

(Key decision – reference number 5085)