Issue - meetings

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee will hear from the Leader and Chief Executive outlining priorities and areas of challenge.

The Leader and Chief Executive will be asked to leave the meeting at this point.

The Chair invited the Leader of the Council, Cllr Nesil Caliskan to out-line the Council’s Priorities for the coming year.

Cllr Caliskan reminded members that the administration’s priorities were set out and detailed in the Council Plan.

The Chair noted that many areas raised by the Leader were in relation to the scrutiny panels in place and these will be picked up by the panels. It was confirmed that the minutes of this meeting will be circulated to all the panel chairs.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Nesil Caliskan presented the Council’s local priorities for 2022/23.

Cost of Living Increases 

Identify ways to provide as much support as possible across the Borough, particularly from the residents’ perspective.  Including benefits, homelessness, debt management and advice, debt welfare teams maintain council tax support scheme, protect the hardship fund. 

More and Better Homes  

Interventions into the housing market by the Council as soon as possible.  Quality of homes and the impact of the changes to the private rented sector which has increased homelessness in the Borough. 

The use of strategic industrial land, e.g. Meridian Water, in the provision of thousands of affordable homes already pledge and additional units.  The renewal of the Council’s estate.  Recognition that the Council could not provide the homes needed alone and needed to work with the private sector to find resolutions.  The Council’s policy documents were pivotal to land designation.

Skills and Local Economy

The Council is to provide support around homes which are not connected to public transport links.  Renewal and regeneration of the Borough’s high streets and town centres.  The use of strategic industrial land to provide two academies, one for construction and for the film industry to train over 1,000 each year.

Young People – Best Start         

Continue to provide early intervention.  Rollout additional school streets and encourage active travel. The introduction of free-swimming lessons, if possible.  A review of the unsatisfactory leisure provision across the Borough.  The creation of five new family hubs and children’s centres to meet the particular needs of communities in which they are located and to work with Ward Councillors.

Healthier Enfield    

To reduce inequalities.  New health and wellbeing centres once sites have been identified.  To review adult social care and the impact on the Council’s budget.

Safer Enfield           

Creation of a new Enfield Council Law Enforcement Team of 50 officers, working with but independent of the Police.  There was much work to be completed to scope the roles and how these would support the role of the Police.

Parks and Open Spaces 

Enhancement of parks and open spaces across the Borough, the facilities in the parks were an important part of the Council’s work.

The Chief Executive, Ian Davis presented the regulatory changes and inspections affecting Local Government.

Adult Social Care  

Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspections challenges were around having the right systems in place to meet the needs of adult social care required.  Significant changes ahead including funding which are unclear at this stage.  There is a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Caliskan will outline the Cabinet priorities for 2021/22.

The Chair invited the Leader of the Council, Cllr Nesil Caliskan to out-line the

Cabinet Priorities for the coming year.

Cllr Caliskan reminded members that the administration’s priorities are set out and detailed in the Corporate Plan. Members can regularly request particular updates if required in the forthcoming year.

Cllr Calliskan highlighted the following:

·         The climate has changed dramatically over the last 12 months due to Covid, this had had implications for a number of key areas.

·         Progress has been made on a number of key areas in the Corporate Strategy.

·         Covid- this remains the number one priority to continue to respond to the challenges of the pandemic. The number one objective is to keep residents safe and healthy, in partnership with stakeholders. The Covid testing sites will be maintained, encouraging uptake. The sites will also be regularly reviewed. The Council will continue to support NHS partners and the third sector in the rollout of the vaccination programme across the borough. Enfield are ahead in terms of vaccinations compared to other boroughs and other parts of the country. However, the majority of residents still need a second vaccine. There are particular challenges with vaccine uptake in Care Homes and in particular BAME communities.

·         The second area of focus is economic recovery, not just in response to Covid but also recognising that some of the town centres for example needed support pre Covid. The internal recently established Skills & Employment Board allows the Council to deliver a strategic approach to skills and employment. This sits alongside the Corporate Plan, Economic Development Strategy and the Culture Strategy and a Skills Agenda is underway. There is a focus on delivering the recommendations in the Poverty and Inequality Commission. In the next couple of weeks an update will be published on this. There is a plan to tackle food poverty. The council tax support and debt prevention team has expanded to ensure an office structure and cohort in anticipation of growing demand.

• The third area of priority is housing delivery and growth, including agreeing the draft Local Plan and going out to consultation. The prime aim is the ability to control growth in the borough, to deliver affordable housing across the borough, and to continue progress on Meridian Water, specifically on the Joyce and Snells scheme in Edmonton. The Secretary of State has now agreed the private sector licensing scheme, and officers and Cabinet Member are working to deliver on this. Recently a Homelessness Service model was agreed and will be working to deliver that this year.

·         The next area is Environment and Climate Change, work will continue on the Climate Change Strategy deliverables. There will be a renewed focus on street cleansing and estates.

·         Adult Social Care, an area of particular focus is trying to deliver specialised accommodation for older people, to ensure that the older population have a decent place to live that is affordable and sustainable.

·         The final thing to highlight is in terms of education, for a long period there have  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4