Issue - meetings

Approval of Council Capital and the Progression of Bowes East and Edmonton Green Quieter Neighbourhoods

Meeting: 14/08/2024 - Overview & Scrutiny Committee (Item 3)

3 Decision Called-in - KD5760 - Phase two consultation exercise on a new Enfield Council Library Strategy pdf icon PDF 140 KB

To consider a call-in received on the decision taken by the Cabinet Member for Environment, Culture and Public Spaces on Phase two consultation exercise on a new Enfield Council Library Strategy (KD5760)

 

The decision that has been called in was taken on 22 July 2024 and included on the Publication of Decision List No: 13/24-25 issued on 22 July 2024.

 

It is proposed that consideration of the call-in be structured as follows:

 

·         Brief outline of reasons for the call-in by representative (s) of the members who have called in the decision.

·         The Cabinet Member/decision maker and officers respond to the reasons provided for the Call-In.

·         Debate by Overview & Scrutiny Committee and agreement on action to be taken.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Overview & Scrutiny Committee were to consider and review KD5760 – Phase two consultation exercise on a new Enfield Council Library Strategy - taken on 22 July 2024 and included on the Publication of Decision List No. 13/24-25.

 

The decision had been called in for review by 7 members of the Council, namely Councillors: Edward Smith (Lead), Peter Fallart, Chris Joannides, Andrew Thorp, Elisa Morreale, Andy Milne and Chris Dey.

 

The report sets out the officer response to the reasons for call-in.

 

Reasons for the call-in were presented by Councillor Edward Smith, Lead Call-in Member for the decision.

 

Councillor Smith summarised the reasons for the call-in of the decision.

 

Councillor Smith asked that Members refer the decision back to the decision taker for reconsideration.

 

Councillor Anyanwu and Officers spoke in response to the reasons for call-in, and questions posed by Members of the Committee stating that; the proposed closure is based on analysis, data and feedback from the first phase of the consultation from over 1000 respondents via various channels i.e. questionnaires, emails and feedback sessions.

 

The proposed strategy of closing 8 libraries will avoid £5.3m in future upkeep and maintenance costs and with reduction in libraries means that the council can use the savings to reinvest into the remaining libraries, ensuring they will remain accessible, vibrant and sustainable hubs for all and to enhance to current offering to library users and residents. Libraries will continue to be a place to learn and support each other in Enfield, with a range of services to deliver in a way that suits the evolving needs of the community.

 

The extended opening hours at libraries will be well communicated with residents through the update of the website and writing out to organisations that support library users such as Enfield Voluntary Action and Age UK. The strategy proposes to adopt a similar scheme that is running at Fore Street Library where partners are keyholders and are able to access the libraries out of hours to continue to run services that will help and benefit residents of the borough.

 

There has been an increase in other resources available to residents e.g. eBooks and free home library delivery service which will be helpful to those whose local library may be affected by the proposal and may find it difficult to attend a different library.

 

The Cabinet Member reiterated that no decision had been made on the proposed library closures and it is just a consultation at this stage. They also

encouraged members and residents to provide any concerns or ideas they may have with regard to the proposed library strategy during the consultation period which will run for 12 weeks with the view of finalising the new library strategy and implement any changes in early 2025.


Meeting: 15/04/2024 - Overview & Scrutiny Committee (Item 3)

3 Decision Called-in - KD5694 - Approval of council capital and the progression of Bowes East and Edmonton Green Quieter Neighbourhoods pdf icon PDF 140 KB

To consider a call-in received on the decision taken by the Cabinet Member for Environment on Approval of Council Capital and the progression of Bowes East and Edmonton Green Quieter Neighbourhoods (KD5694).

 

The decision that has been called in was taken on 13 March 2024 and included on the Publication of Decision List No: 56/23-24 issued on 15 March 2024.

 

It is proposed that consideration of the call-in be structured as follows:

 

·         Brief outline of reasons for the call-in by representative (s) of the

members who have called in the decision.

·         The Cabinet Member/decision maker and officers respond to the

reasons provided for the Call-In.

·         Debate by Overview & Scrutiny Committee and agreement on action

to be taken.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Overview & Scrutiny Committee were to consider and review KD5694 – Approval of Council Capital and the progression of Bowes East and Edmonton Green Quieter Neighbourhoods - taken on 13 March 2024 and included on the Publication of Decision List No. 56/23-24.

 

The decision had been called in for review by 7 members of the Council, namely Councillors: Alessandro Georgiou (Lead), Emma Supple, Reece Fox, Paul Pratt, Elisa Morreale, Stephanos Ioannou and Hannah Dyson.

 

The report sets out the officer response to the reasons for call-in.

 

Reasons for the call-in were presented by Councillor Alessandro Georgiou, Lead Call-in Member for the decision.

 

Cllr Georgiou summarised the reasons for the call-in of the decision.

 

Cllr Georgiou asked that Members refer the decision back to the decision taker for reconsideration.

 

Cllr Caliskan and Officers spoke in response to the reasons for call-in, and questions posed by Members of the committee stating that; there will be three phases with consultation periods and a subsequent report for this scheme before it will be implemented which will capture any concerns/feedback around disabled people being exempt, the EQIA (disabled, BAME and Gypsy Roma people) and road safety. Should there be any objection from the blue lights services, this would have to be considered as not to do so would be unlawful. Officers have engaged with over 33,000 people including business, residents and places of worship but are looking into ways to encourage a higher response from those who have been consulted.


Meeting: 13/03/2024 - Cabinet (Item 6)

6 Approval of Council Capital and the Progression of Bowes East and Edmonton Green Quieter Neighbourhoods pdf icon PDF 565 KB

A report from the Executive Director – Environment and Communities is attached.  (Key decision – reference number 5694)

 

(This item contains exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person – including the authority holding that information) of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended).

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Cllr Rick Jewell (Cabinet Member for Environment) introduced the report of the Executive Director – Environment and Communities, providing an overview of the Bowes East and Edmonton Green Quieter Neighbourhoods and seeking approval for capital funding to progress the project. He highlighted the aims of creating an attractive and safe environment for active and sustainable travel, and delivering benefits including improved air quality and improvements in people’s health. Bowes and Edmonton Green had been chosen as the next sites for Quieter Neighbourhoods following assessment. These were currently in the early design stages. The Journeys & Places Team was thanked for their excellent work.

 

In response to Members’ queries, more details were provided on the engagement with residents in both areas, which had been carried out in two stages. In January and February this year, residents were given the opportunity to comment on specific design proposals, and the information gathered was currently being assimilated. Ward councillors had also been fully engaged.

 

DECISION:  The Cabinet agreed to:

 

I. Note the findings and ongoing exploratory work in relation to the creation of two new quieter Neighbourhoods at Bowes East and Edmonton Green.

 

II. Note that a further Key Decision report will be brought for approval after statutory consultation has been concluded, to invite a decision on whether to agree and implement either or both schemes.

 

III. Approve the addition of £1.6m to the capital programme funded by borrowing (£1.4m) and grant (£0.2m), to increase the total budget of the schemes to £2m to facilitate the design, consultation, and (if agreed) implementation of the schemes in in FY 24/25.

 

The report sets out the options considered, if any, and the reasons for the recommendations and the decision.