Agenda for Cabinet on Wednesday, 8th February, 2023, 8.00 pm

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Conference Room, Civic Centre, Silver Street, Enfield, EN1 3XA. View directions

Contact: Email: Democracy@enfield.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

1.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ergin Erbil, Chinelo Anyanwu, Mustafa Cetinkaya, and Ayten Guzel.

 

The Leader raised recognition of the earthquake disaster in Turkey: the significance of the event and that Enfield had a large Turkish community. It was noted that some of the Cabinet Member absences this evening related to their work on the relief efforts. Cllr Cazimoglu also acknowledged the generous and helpful support given to councillors by officers.

2.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members of the Cabinet are invited to identify any disclosable pecuniary, other pecuniary or non pecuniary interests relevant to items on the agenda.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

3.

DEPUTATIONS

To note, that no requests for deputations have been received for presentation to this Cabinet meeting.

Minutes:

NOTED that no requests for deputations had been received for presentation to this Cabinet meeting.

4.

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 140 KB

To confirm the minutes of the previous Cabinet meeting held on 18 January  2023.

Minutes:

AGREED that the minutes of the previous meeting of the Cabinet held on 18 January 2023 be confirmed as a correct record.

5.

ORDER OF THE AGENDA

Minutes:

AGREED that the order of the agenda be amended to consider Items 16 and 17 at the beginning of the meeting. The minutes reflect the order of the meeting.

6.

SECURE CHILDREN'S HOME FOR LONDON AND PAN-LONDON COMMISSIONING VEHICLE (PLV) pdf icon PDF 429 KB

A report from the Executive Director of People is attached.  (Key decision – reference number 5483)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Cllr Abdul Abdullahi (Cabinet Member for Children’s Services) introduced the report of the Executive Director People, seeking approval to join a Pan-London Vehicle (PLV) for Commissioning which will develop secure welfare provision in London with the aim of providing a mechanism for future joint commissioning.

 

The need for a secure children’s home in London was recognised, so that children who needed such help were not placed far away, and at significant cost. There was a shortage of secure welfare provision. DfE had confirmed the funding to take forward the proposal. The proposed provision would be designed specifically for London. It would help children with complex needs, including those who were particularly vulnerable and at high risk of exploitation. Use would be Court-directed and for a short time, and provision was designed with co-located step-down facilities with wrap-around support.

 

Members confirmed they had no queries in relation to the exempt information set out in the appendix to the report, and it was not necessary to pass a resolution to go into part two.

 

DECISION:  The Cabinet agreed to:

 

1.  Approve that Enfield:

a.  Becomes a member of a not-for-profit company, limited by guarantee, provisionally to be known as the Pan London Vehicle, to:

· develop and then oversee the running of London’s secure children’s home provision for a five-year period from 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2028, with a break-point after two years once the refreshed business case has been developed to include service pricing structure, commissioning approach, practice model and location; and

· collaborate with other PLV members (all London Local Authorities have been invited to be part of the PLV) on future joint commissioning programmes. Full list of members to be confirmed in due course.

b.  Commits in principle to joint oversight and risk/benefit sharing, through the PLV, of the secure children’s home provision, for a five-year period to 31st March 2028, including the build, service development and service commissioning phases, subject to ratification after the revision of the SCH business case, and renewable on a ten yearly cycle thereafter, with break-point after five years.

c.  Delegates authority to the Executive Director - People to:

· finalise the legal documents required to set up, join and run the PLV; and

· make the final determination on the Council’s membership of the PLV, following completion of the revised SCH business case.

 

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

 

(Key decision – reference number 5483)

7.

FUTURE COMMISSIONING OF ENFIELD SEXUAL HEALTH COMMUNITY SERVICES pdf icon PDF 356 KB

A report from the Executive Director of People is attached.  (Key decision – reference number 5531)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Cllr Alev Cazimoglu (Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care) introduced the report of the Executive Director People, seeking approval to enter into a partnership agreement between Enfield Council and North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust (NMUH) for the provision of Enfield Integrated Sexual Health Community Services in accordance with Section 75 of the National Health Service Act (2006).

 

Provision of open access sexual health services was a statutory function. NMUH had been delivering the services since 2015, with performance being sustained through the term of the contract, and it was proposed to build on this established relationship and for NMUH to continue to develop and provide services, with improved value for money benefits.

 

Members confirmed they had no queries in relation to the exempt information set out in the appendix to the report, and it was not necessary to pass a resolution to go into part two.

 

DECISION:  The Cabinet agreed:

 

1.  To approve:

i  The proposal to enter into a Section 75 arrangement between Enfield Council and NMUH for the delivery of the Enfield Integrated Sexual Health Community Services consisting of Family Planning & Contraception, STi testing and treatment, sexual health outreach and services to support to young people.

ii  The signing of a Service Specific Agreement for the Enfield Integrated Sexual Health Community Services under the overarching Section 75 Partnership Agreement with NMUH and to utilise the existing governance structures for the delivery of this service.

iii  The delegation of authority to the Director of Public Health, in consultation with the Director of Law and Governance, to finalise and agree the Service Specific Agreement for the Enfield Integrated Sexual Health Community Services and to make any variations during the term of the Agreement.

 

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

 

(Key decision – reference number 5531)

8.

BUDGET REPORT 2023/24 AND MEDIUM TERM FINANCIAL PLAN 2023/24 TO 2027/28 pdf icon PDF 2 MB

A report from the Executive Director of Resources is attached.  (Key decision – reference number 5484)

Minutes:

Cllr Tim Leaver (Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement) introduced the report of the Executive Director Resources, setting the Revenue Budget and Council Tax for the 2023/24 financial year, and updating the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) in the light of those decisions, and recommending approval by Council.

 

This was the first budget of the new administration, since May 2022, and reflected the manifesto priorities, and delivery of the new Council Plan. The benefits of having long-term plans were highlighted. The Council had a commitment to meet the needs of residents, including a Council Tax support scheme. Consultation in relation to setting the budget was also noted. It was confirmed that the comments of the Chief Finance Officer in respect of the robustness of the estimates and the adequacy of the proposed financial reserves were included in the report appendices. It was pleasing to present a robust budget in a challenging year.

 

Officers and Members were thanked for all their work on the budget.

 

DECISION:  The Cabinet agreed:

 

1.  To note:

i. The budget is in a balanced position for 2023/24, however, this is in part achieved by around £3.7m use of one-off funding sources (made up of benefit from the Business Rates Pool and a Collection Fund surplus on Council Tax).

ii. Increased Government funding of £12m for social care in 2023/24; £1.23m reduction in other core Government grant funding (excluding business rates).

iii. For business rates related funding - with 2023/24 being the first year of a new ratings valuation cycle, a reduction in Government top-up grant of £2.75m, coupled with an increase in locally generated and retained business rates income of £8.3m; an increase in business rates s31 grant funding of £4.53m (primarily inflation linked).

iv. Government funding assumptions continue to rely on Council Tax as a key source of funding for Adult Social Care through the Precept.

v. As was the case for 2022/23 Enfield will be joining a smaller pool of 8 authorities to pool business rates for 2023/24. The potential one-off benefits from the Pool are estimated at £1.5m which has been built into the MTFP position for 2023/24.

vi. The considerable impact that the current high inflation environment has had on the budget setting process for 2023/24, with an estimated pressure of £22m, around three times the amount that has been accounted for annually over the past decade.

 

2.  To agree:

i. With regard to the Revenue Budget for 2023/24 to recommend to Council to set the Council Tax Requirement for Enfield at £146.963m in 2023/24; and

ii. To recommend to Council to set the Council Tax at Band D for Enfield’s services for 2023/24 at £1,518.30, being a 2.99% general Council Tax increase and a 2.00% Adult Social Care Precept.

 

3.  To recommend to Council to agree the Medium Term Financial Plan, including:

i. The pressures set out in Appendix 1a totalling £45.926m in 2023/24, which include:

a. £6.827m for Demographic pressures within Adults and Children’s Social Care  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

COUNCIL TAX SUPPORT SCHEME 2023/24 pdf icon PDF 304 KB

A report from the Executive Director of Resources is attached.  (Key decision – reference number 5485)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Cllr Tim Leaver (Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement) introduced the report of the Executive Director Resources, setting out proposals for the Council Tax Support Scheme for the financial year 2023/24.

 

It was a manifesto commitment to support the most vulnerable in society, and the administration had chosen to have a comprehensive Council Tax support scheme which would be equitable and would cover around a third of the borough’s residents. The scheme included the introduction of an earned income banded scheme for households in receipt of Universal Credit. There had been extensive consultation on the scheme.

 

DECISION:  The Cabinet agreed:

 

1. To recommend to Council to be held on the 23rd February that Council agrees the Local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2023/24 as summarised in Appendix A to provide financial support for households on low incomes in paying their Council Tax. The 2023/24 Scheme is largely based on the 2022/23 Scheme, updated for legislative amendments, income uprating and administrative changes. The Scheme also includes the introduction of an earned income banded Scheme for households in receipt of Universal Credit. This follows a Cabinet report in October 2022 to consult residents on this amendment to the Scheme. The results of this consultation are included within this report.

 

2.  For the 2023/24 Scheme:

a.  Minimum contribution for working age households not in a protected group will be maintained at 24.5%.

b.  Administrative and regulation changes set out in paragraph 19 and 20 will be incorporated into the Scheme.

 

3.  For the 2024/25 Scheme:

An additional income band will be added to the earned income banded Scheme as shown in Appendix B.

 

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

 

(Key decision – reference number 5485)

10.

THE COUNCIL PLAN 2023 - 26 pdf icon PDF 124 KB

A report from the Chief Executive is attached.  (Non key)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Cllr Nesil Caliskan (Leader of the Council) introduced the report of the Chief Executive, proposing a new Council Plan for the organisation which builds upon the 2020 Plan and sets the strategic priorities and direction for the Council for the next three years.

 

The Plan aligned with the budget, and would be presented to Council for approval at the 23 February meeting. The robust consultation process was described. The Plan clearly set out key areas, and the priorities for staff to work to.

 

DECISION:  The Cabinet agreed that the new Council Plan 2023-26: Investing in Enfield be agreed and recommended to Council for approval and adoption.

 

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

 

(Non-Key)

11.

COUNCIL HOUSING ASSURANCE FRAMEWORK pdf icon PDF 170 KB

A report from the Executive Director of Place is attached.  (Key decision – reference number 5575)

Minutes:

Cllr George Savva (Cabinet Member for Social Housing) introduced the report of the Executive Director Place, setting out the proposed Assurance Framework to support the Council Housing Service in preparation for the Social Housing Regulation Bill.

 

New legislation was introduced following the Grenfell tragedy, with a focus on how social housing was managed and maintained. Consumer standards were introduced by the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008. The importance of continued engagement with residents was highlighted, and that the Council would be working alongside residents. The impacts of government actions and restrictions were noted. There would be Cabinet performance reporting on the Assurance Framework, and an annual report.

 

DECISION:  The Cabinet agreed to:

 

1.  Note the new regulatory environment and proposed changes to the consumer regulation of social housing.

2.  Approve the proposed Assurance Framework enabling transparency and oversight of performance.

3.  Note the actions being taken to gain assurance and maintain it.

4.  Note the current performance of Assurance measures set out in the Council Housing Assurance Framework.

 

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

 

(Key decision – reference number 5575)

12.

QUARTERLY HRA MONITORING 2022/23 P8 pdf icon PDF 421 KB

A report from the Executive Director of Place is attached.  (Key decision – reference number 5501)

Minutes:

Cllr George Savva (Cabinet Member for Social Housing) introduced the report of the Executive Director Place, providing an update on the current forecast outturn position of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), covering both revenue and capital expenditure associated with delivering the Council’s Housing service.

 

The forecast monitoring position was based on information as at the end of November 2022. The forecasted pressure and variations to the budget were set out.

 

DECISION:  The Cabinet agreed to note the Month 8 HRA forecast outturn position for 2022/23 for both revenue and capital.

 

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

 

(Key decision – reference number 5501)

13.

HRA BUSINESS PLAN AND RENT SETTING REPORT 2023/24 pdf icon PDF 555 KB

A report from the Executive Director of Place and the Executive Director of Resources is attached.  (Key decision – reference number 5503)

Minutes:

Cllr George Savva (Cabinet Member for Social Housing) introduced the report of the Executive Directors Place and Resources, setting out the proposed HRA 30-Year Business Plan, the detailed HRA Revenue Budget for 2023/24, the ten-year Capital Programme and Right to Buy One for One Receipts programme.

 

The report included the proposed rent level, and fees and service charges for tenants and leaseholders. It was confirmed there had been consultation on the rent increase. Clarification was provided in respect of charges made to nurseries which supported low income households through the subsidised council service for children 2-4 and would be levied at a charitable rate. Current government restrictions on retention of Right To Buy receipts were noted.

 

DECISION:  The Cabinet agreed to:

 

1.  Recommend to Council to approve the HRA 30-Year Business Plan shown in Appendix 1 of the report.

2.  Recommend to Council to approve the detailed HRA Revenue Budget for 2023/24 as shown in paragraph 69.

3.  Recommend to Council to approve the 10-year HRA Capital Programme of £947m and borrowing requirements to deliver 3,500 council led homes.

4.  Recommend to Council a rent increase of 7% in line with Government guidelines noting the social, affordable and shared ownership rent levels for the HRA properties in 2023/24.

5.  Recommend to Council to approve the level of service charges for 2023/24 for those tenants and leaseholders receiving eligible services. These include new and enhanced services that will be implemented from April 2023, in addition mid-year implementation of additional security on Housing estates (from paragraph 36).

6.  Recommend to Council to approve the charges for garages, parking bay and community halls rents as set out from paragraph 55.

7.  Note the heating charges for 2023/24 for those properties on communal heating systems (both electric and gas).

8.  Note that all future hire of community halls for commercial nursery use will be let at private hire rates.

 

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

 

(Key decision – reference number 5503)

14.

QUARTERLY CAPITAL MONITORING 2022/23 P8 pdf icon PDF 780 KB

A report from the Executive Director of Resources is attached.  (Key decision – reference number 5500)

Minutes:

Cllr Tim Leaver (Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement) introduced the report of the Executive Director Resources, providing an update on the forecast capital spend for 2022/23.

 

The report considered actual spend up to 21 November 2022 and latest spend projections from budget holders. The forecast variance was noted, and the projects with the largest variances to budget were highlighted.

 

DECISION:  The Cabinet agreed to note:

 

a.  The 2022/23 forecast spend of £262.7m against a budget of £486.4m, which is a forecast variance to budget of 54% across the programme. This reflects strategic and fiscally responsible decisions taken by the Council to manage delivery of and to ensure continued value for money of its capital programme in response to inflationary pressures, increases in the cost of borrowing and current market conditions, as described in the report.

b.  Actual spend of £88.5m (excluding salaries which are to be processed in December) has been incurred to date. Unspent forecast budget at year end will no longer be automatically carried forward into 2023/24.

 

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

 

(Key decision – reference number 5500)

15.

CAPITAL STRATEGY & CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2023/24 TO 2032/33 pdf icon PDF 2 MB

A report from the Executive Director of Resources is attached.  (Key decision – reference number 5502)

Minutes:

Cllr Tim Leaver (Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement) introduced the report of the Executive Director Resources, setting out the 2023/24 Capital Strategy and 2023/24 to 2032/33 Ten Year Capital Programme, for approval by Council.

 

The ten year programme aligned with the Ten Year Treasury Management Strategy, and improved the Council’s ability to take a strategic view of planned capital investment and the impacts of decisions on revenue budgets and overall borrowing.

 

DECISION:  The Cabinet agreed:

 

1.  To recommend that Council approves the:

i. 2023/24 Capital Strategy as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report.

ii. 2023/24 Capital Programme and notes the 2024/25 to 2032/33 Ten Year Capital Programme as set out in Appendix 5c.

iii. 2023/24 Match funding and invest to save contingency of £2.75m (Para. 16).

iv. 2022/23 Budget carry forwards as detailed in Appendix 2.

 

2.  Subject to approval of recommendation in para 1iii, delegate approval to drawdown from the Match funding /Invest to save contingency, to the Executive Director of Resources.

 

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

 

(Key decision – reference number 5502)

16.

TREASURY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY 2023/24 pdf icon PDF 318 KB

A report from the Executive Director of Resources is attached.  (Key decision – reference number 5504)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Cllr Tim Leaver (Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement) introduced the report of the Executive Director Resources, setting out the Council’s proposed Treasury Management Strategy Statement (TMSS) for the period 2023/24 to 2032/33, for approval by Council.

 

The TMSS formed part of the Council’s overall budget setting and financial framework. It was noted that best advice was taken, and that the Council used Arlingclose Limited as its external treasury management advisors. Having a ten year strategy allowed the long-term impact of decisions to be assessed.

 

DECISION:  The Cabinet agreed to:

a.  Review the Treasury Management Strategy 2023/24 (Appendix 1) and

b.  Recommend the Council to approve the Treasury Management Strategy 2023/24.

 

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

 

(Key decision – reference number 5504)

17.

QUARTERLY GENERAL FUND REVENUE MONITORING 2022/23 QUARTER 3 pdf icon PDF 746 KB

A report from the Executive Director of Resources is attached.  (Key decision – reference number 5489)

Minutes:

Cllr Tim Leaver (Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement) introduced the report of the Executive Director Resources, providing an update on how the Council’s income and expenditure compares to the original budgeted position for 2022/23 based on forecasts as at the end of November 2022, and the forecasted outturn for the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG).

 

Details of gross variance and key themes were set out by department at Table 1 in the report. Planned use of reserves brought the overspend down. Mitigating actions being taken and proposed to manage the ongoing financial position were noted, and financial resilience remained a priority. The Dedicated Schools Grant overspend was advised as consistent with many other London boroughs.

 

DECISION:  The Cabinet agreed:

 

1.  To note:

a.  The 2022/23 financial year the General Fund revenue forecast outturn position of £18.4m adverse variance, arising in the main from demographic and cost pressures exceeding the £22m budgeted growth and unanticipated inflationary increases across pay and energy.

b.  Financial resilience remains a key priority for the Council and an in-year budget savings and cost control strategy is in place to protect the Council’s reserve levels.

c.  The potential drawdown on reserves and the impact this has on the forecast level of reserves. The £3m contingency will be required to achieve the General Fund forecast outturn and the planned drawdown from reserves of £2m will also be required.

d.  The Covid-19 impact on the General Fund of £9.8m which will be funded from the Council specific Covid-19 earmarked reserve.

e.  The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) revenue overspend of £2.5m, which is reflected in the balance sheet.

 

2.  To require Executive Directors continue to work with Cabinet Members to robustly manage the underlying budget position, implement in year savings and further cost control measures deemed appropriate to the challenge faced, whilst managing, mitigating, and minimising the Covid-19 financial impact.

 

3.  To note the potential forecast level of reserves and implications for 2022/23 and challenging financial position over the life of the MTFP.

 

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

 

(Key decision – reference number 5489)

18.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

To note that the next meeting of the Cabinet is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 19 April 2023 at 7.00pm.

Minutes:

NOTED the next meeting of the Cabinet was scheduled to take place on Wednesday 19 April 2023 at 7:00pm. There would be no Cabinet meeting in March.