Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

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.

Members took this opportunity to raise the following items of interest.

1.         Councillor Chris Bond (Cabinet Member for Environment) was pleased to report that the Council had received a visit from the Government’s Public Disorder Recovery Team when the possibility of funding free parking to help increase footfall in Enfield’s town centres had been discussed. Members were pleased to note that following these discussions, there would be free parking for the next three Saturdays in the Council’s town centre car parks to help residents to shop in Enfield over the Christmas/New Year period.

The Council was working with Enfield Business and Retailers Association and local business associations to promote Enfield’s town centres in the Love Your High Street Enfield Shopping Campaign and had provided direct grants and support to retailers affected by the disturbances.

2.         Councillor Achilleas Georgiou (Deputy Leader) extended his congratulations to the North London Dance Troop who had performed in Enfield Town over the weekend; the performances had been very good.

3.         Councillor Doug Taylor (Leader of the Council) congratulated all those who had been involved in arranging the Ponders End Festival of Lights; the event had been a success. Councillor Ayfer Orhan (Cabinet Member for Children and Young People) was thanked for her contribution and involvement.

4.         Councillor Doug Taylor reported that he had received a letter from Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, congratulating Enfield on becoming the first London borough to ensure all of its eligible establishments were part of the London 2012 Get Set Network. Thanks and congratulations were extended to the teachers and pupils in Enfield’s schools, colleges and other institutions that had undertaken the work necessary to join the Network. 1 in 8 10-18 year olds in Enfield would now definitely receive a ticket to the Olympic or Paralympic Games next year. Members extended their thanks to the officers who had been involved in this achievement, particularly Jan Hickman.

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.

To confirm that the following reports be referred to full Council:

1.         Report No.160 – Concessionary Travel Policy

2.         Report No.162 – North London Waste Authority (NLWA) Levy Change and Household Waste and Recycling Centre Transfer

AGREED that the following reports be referred to full Council:

1.                  Report No.160 – Concessionary Travel Policy

2.                  Report No.162 – North London Waste Authority (NLWA) Levy Change and Household Waste and Recycling Centre Transfer

Reference from Housing, Growth and Regeneration Scrutiny Panel – Commission on Worklessness

To receive a report from the Housing, Growth and Regeneration Scrutiny Panel. This details the recommendations and findings of the Housing, Growth and Regeneration Scrutiny Panel’s review entitled Getting People in to Work.

(Report No.156)

(8.20 – 8.30 pm)  

6.1       Reference from Housing, Growth and Regeneration Scrutiny Panel – Commission on Worklessness

Councillor Doug Taylor (Leader of the Council) welcomed Councillor Derek Levy to the meeting and invited him to present the report to Members.

Councillor Derek Levy (Chairman Getting People into Work Review Working Group) introduced the report of the Housing, Growth and Regeneration Scrutiny Panel (No.156) detailing the findings and recommendations of the Scrutiny Panel review entitled “Getting People in to Work”.

NOTED

1.         the scope and timing of the considerable work which had been undertaken by the Scrutiny working group and the findings which were now being presented to the Cabinet in order to consider how to take this important area of work forward;

2.         the many elements involved in worklessness issues, the majority of which were out of the Council’s control; the problem was a long-term issue. It was noted that unemployment rates had increased significantly in the current economic climate;

3.         Members’ attention was drawn to the issues raised within the Chairman’s foreword of the report. Long-term solutions would be required within the funding and policy constraints which existed. The report set out the findings and recommendations of the Working Group and the evidence on which these were based. Radical and innovative approaches would be required to make any significant difference. The findings would cut across the work of all Council departments and its partners;

4.         the various sectors affected by worklessness including the need to effectively rehabilitate offenders in order to minimise the instances of re-offending. Members noted the variety of short-term and piecemeal work currently being undertaken in response to elements of funding which became available, for example through JobsNet and the Princes Trust;

5.         that in order to take the matter effectively forward the Council would need to determine the level of responsibility that it wanted to take and the level of its core funding to address the issues identified. This would be an area of on-going work with long-term implications. There were a number of positive regeneration initiatives proposed within the Borough;

6.         in response to Councillor Levy’s presentation, Councillor Del Goddard (Cabinet Member for Business and Regeneration) expressed his appreciation of the considerable work which had been undertaken and outlined the Cabinet’s initial response to the proposals which were being presented;

9.         Councillor Goddard acknowledged that this was a complex area of work. A report would be presented to the February Cabinet meeting outlining how the Cabinet intended to respond to the recommendations of the Scrutiny Panel. Key issues would be addressed and the regeneration work already taking place within the Borough would be set out.

Members expressed their thanks to Councillor Derek Levy for his presentation.

Alternative Options Considered: NOTED that the recommendations and findings were included within the body of the report.

Reason: To consider the main findings and recommendations of the Scrutiny Panel and agree the way forward.

(Non key)

A report from the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services is attached. This sets out the Council’s revenue budget monitoring position based on information to the end of October 2011. (Key decision – reference number 3362)

(Report No.157)

(8.30 – 8.35 pm)

Councillor Andrew Stafford (Cabinet Member for Finance and Property) introduced the report of the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services (No.157) setting out the Council’s revenue budget monitoring position based on information to the end of October 2011.

NOTED

1.         in the light of the discussion of the earlier report regarding worklessness, attention was drawn to the Business Plan Scorecard, appended to the report, in relation to employment rates. Current targets were not being met, it was noted however that a number of factors were outside the Council’s control;

2.         the projected departmental underspends and overspends as set out in the report; the figures would continue to be closely analysed. The external legal costs would also be subject to review. Overall the budget was projected to be cost neutral with the achievement of £34.5m savings;

3.         that there were a number of general risks to the Council being able to match expenditure with resources this financial year as set out in section 12 of the report. The latest monitoring report confirmed that there had been no deterioration in the financial position of the Authority.

Alternative Options Considered: Not applicable to this report.

DECISION: The Cabinet

1.         noted the revenue outturn projection of £64k overspend in 2011/12;

2.         agreed that departments reporting pressures should formulate and implement action plans to ensure that they remain within budget in 2011/12.

Reason: To ensure that Members were aware of the projected budgetary position for the Authority, including all major budget pressures and underspends which had contributed to the present monthly position and that were likely to affect the final outturn.

(Key decision – reference number 3362)

A report from the Director of Schools and Children’s Services is attached. This sets out the most recent pupil projections together with the implications of these projections from 2012/13. (Key decision – reference number 3360)

(Report No.158)

(8.35 – 8.40 pm)

Councillor Ayfer Orhan (Cabinet Member for Children and Young People) introduced a report of the Director of Schools and Children’s Services (No.158) setting out the most recent pupil projections together with the implications of these projections from 2012/13.

NOTED

1.         Jennifer Hill, Assistant Director Schools and Children’s Services, outlined for Members the main elements of the revised ten year primary pupil places strategy. A level of 3% flexibility between the forecast demand and planned supply of places was now being recommended in order to provide a level of contingency to react to demand uncertainty beyond the control of the Local Authority (as detailed in paragraph 3.2 of the report);

2.         the projected reception places over future years as set out in detail in the table in paragraph 6.4 of the report. Members noted the changes from previous projections;

3.         the proposals for the setting up of two free schools in the Borough, as set out in paragraph 6.5 of the report. The schools were yet to identify appropriate accommodation in the Borough;

4.         the detail of the Primary Strategy for September 2012 to September 2013 as detailed in section 7 of the report. The proposals included the re-use of existing one-off classes from 2014 (paragraph 7.2 of the report referred);

5.         that the DfE had today announced a capital grant of £9.4 million for 2012/13 to provide additional school places;

6.         Members discussed in detail the implications of the two proposed free schools in the Borough and the potential impact on the Council in the provision of sufficient school places should the free schools not be in place by September 2012 as planned. Issues discussed included appropriate accommodation for the sites and the admissions procedures. Members were reassured that the Strategy now being presented covered such eventualities and the Council would meet its obligations;

7.         a discussion took place on the accuracy of the projected pupil numbers set out in the report and the many factors which could increase pressures on school places in the Borough. A 3% flexibility was being built into the strategy. It was noted that the forecast figures had been externally evaluated. Councillor Doug Taylor requested that the figures be subject to periodic monitoring on a six monthly basis and any significant variations in figures be reported and dealt with appropriately;

8.         a number of issues of general concern in relation to lack of Government funding and Government policies regarding educational provision. The revised strategy was designed to manage the challenges being faced by the Council. It was noted that many risks existed which the Council would strive to manage appropriately. Members stated that Officers should carry out full risk analyses, if they had not already done so, to ensure that the Council was ready to react to any extreme and unexpected situations in the future.

Alternative Options Considered: NOTED

1.         not pursuing the recommendations in the report would mean that the Authority would have insufficient primary school places available in those areas of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

A report from the Director of Schools and Children’s Services is attached. This summarises the initial response of Government and provides information about significant local developments. (Non-key)

(Report No.159)

(8.40 – 8.45 pm)

Councillor Ayfer Orhan (Cabinet Member for Children and Young People) introduced the report of the Director of Schools and Children’s Services (No.159) summarising the initial response of Government and providing information about significant local developments.

NOTED

1.         the content of the report and the potential reforms to the existing child protection systems, both locally and nationally;

2.         the report summarised the initial response of Government and provided information about significant local developments including a Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub, a “single point of entry” and the expansion of the Council’s involvement with the Attachment, Disorganised Attachment and maltreatment project (A.D.A.M.). Further work would continue to be undertaken;

3.         that five local authorities, of which Enfield was one, had been selected to pilot Ofsted’s proposed new inspection framework, as detailed in section 3 of the report. A considerable amount of work had been undertaken by officers during the unannounced inspection process from 31 October to 11 November 2011. Members expressed their thanks to officers for the considerable amount of work which had been undertaken to date;

2.         that Cabinet should consider the local implementation plan regarding the recommendations of Professor Munro once Government had fully decided upon their position (anticipated Summer 2012);

3.         that work would continue in the light of the proposals and further Government responses.

Alternative Options Considered: The recommendations from Prof, Munro were being considered alongside the recommendations of the two Leaner Reviews that reported in the early part of 2011. Together these reports provide a coherent framework for re-shaping the Council’s arrangements and services that were designed to help and support vulnerable children in Enfield.

Reason: Local Authorities had statutory responsibilities to act as the lead agency for ensuring that vulnerable children were properly safeguarded.

(Non key)

A report from the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services is attached. This seeks approval to the Concessionary Travel policy. (Key decision – reference number 3397)

(Report No.160)

(8.45 – 8.50 pm)

Councillor Chris Bond (Cabinet Member for Environment) introduced the report of the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services (No.160) seeking approval to the Concessionary Travel policy.

NOTED that the policy was a formalisation of current practice and did not amend or change any processes/practices that the Council did not already have in place. Members requested that the full Policy Statement, appended to the report, be placed in the Members’ Library and Group Offices for reference only when the report was considered by full Council.  

Alternative Options Considered: Not to implement the policy.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL to approve the Concessionary Travel policy and to implement the policy with immediate effect.

Reason: The policy would give the concessionary travel service a robust and consistent approach in delivering the service, and would give customers a clear and concise overview of how this was done in line with Department for Transport reforms and guidance.

(Key decision – reference number 3397)

A report from the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services is attached. This seeks approval to Enfield’s fee for issuing Blue Badges.  (Key decision – reference number 3396)

(Report No.161)

(8.50 – 8.55 pm)

Councillor Chris Bond (Cabinet Member for Environment) introduced the report of the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services (No.161) recommending that Enfield’s fee for issuing Blue Badges be increased to an appropriate level, in order to recover the cost of providing the service.

NOTED

1.         that an additional recommendation was proposed, as detailed in decision 3 below, to receive a further report to Cabinet to review the impact of the changes two months following the implementation;

2.         that Members welcomed the proposed review.

Alternative Options Considered: The Council could leave the charge as it was (£2), but this option was not feasible as it did not cover the costs of the production of the badge, which would be produced externally.

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed to

1.         increase the charge of Blue Badges to £10, in order to recover the cost of administering the service;

2.         to enter into an access agreement with Northgate Information Solutions Limited for the provision of blue badges, as stipulated by the Department for Transport;

3.         bring back to Cabinet an update report within two months of the implementation to review any impact and/or cost implications of the report recommendations.

Reason: From 1 January 2012, the only option available to the Council to get Blue Badges produced/issued was to use the Blue Badge Improvement Service at a minimum cost of £4.60 per badge.

(Key decision – reference number 3396)

A report from the Director of Environment and Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services is attached. This sets out the background to the North London Waste Authority (NLWA), the current statutory default levy arrangements and the proposed changes pending repeal of the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978.. (Key decision – reference number 3414)

(Report No.162)

(8.55 – 9.00 pm)

Councillor Andrew Stafford (Cabinet Member for Finance and Property) introduced the report of the Director of Environment and Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services (No.162) setting out the background to the North London Waste Authority (NLWA), the current statutory default levy arrangements and the proposed changes pending repeal of the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978.

NOTED

1.         Ian Davis, Director of Environment, highlighted the main issues contained within the report for Members’ consideration;

2.         the proposals with regard to the transfer of household waste and recycling centres as detailed in the report. Members’ attention was drawn to the assurances being sought from the NLWA as set out in paragraph 3.20 of the report;

3.         the current levy arrangements and the proposals to vary the levy as detailed in the report for recommendation to full Council;

4.         that the wording of recommendation 2.2 in the report be amended to include delegation also to the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services and the Cabinet Member for Finance and Property, as reflected in decision 2 below. The proposals would only be implemented when the Council was content with the outcomes agreed.

Alternative Options Considered:

1.         Not to agree to amend the Levy and continue with the statutory default until the IAA becomes effective. The default position in relation to the levying of HWRC costs in NLWA control is that all costs would be levied in relation to the proportion of Council Tax Band D equivalent properties, including those WCAs that do not transfer HWRCs to the NLWA in that year. The costs in relation to any sites still under the control of a WCA would continue to be borne by the WCA as they are currently. Therefore, under this arrangement there will not only be considerable shifts in the amount that each WCA pays for the service against the current pattern but any WCA that do not transfer their HWRCs will not only solely bear the operating costs of any such sites but also a proportion of the operating costs of any sites that do transfer based on their proportion of Council Tax Band D properties.

2.         to agree to the amendment to the levy but not to transfer the HWRC until 2016/17 or service commencement.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

1.         to approve the following resolution set out below, in order to vary the NLWA levy in respect of Household Waste and Recycling Centres only from the 2012/13 financial year:

“The London Borough of Enfield agrees that the revisions to the Joint Waste Disposal Authorities (Levies) (England) Regulations 2006 as set out in Appendix 1 of the report, should apply to the apportionment of the North London Waste Authority levy with effect from 1 April 2012 until such time as a further resolution is agreed unanimously by this Council and the six other constituent councils of the North London Waste Authority and such further resolution becomes effective, or further statutory provisions take effect and supersede the Appendix”.

2.         to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

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

NOTED the provisional list of items scheduled for future Cabinet meetings. Members were asked to consider any additional items to be brought forward for consideration at the January Cabinet meeting.

AGREED that a report be received from the Council Commission on the August 2011 Disturbances in Enfield. The final report was due to be presented to the Council meeting scheduled to take place on 25 January 2012.

Members are asked to confirm the membership of the Cabinet Sub-Committee for the Enfield Community Capacity Building Fund 2012-2015. The establishment of the Sub-Committee was agreed at the Cabinet meeting held on 23 November 2011.

Membership of the Cabinet Sub-Committee to comprise 3 Members.

AGREED that the membership of the Cabinet Sub-Committee for the Enfield Community Capacity Building Fund 2012-2015 comprise the following Cabinet Members:

Councillor Christine Hamilton

Councillor Achilleas Georgiou

Councillor Bambos Charalambous

Councillor Chris Bond

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 December 2011, this will cover the period from 1 January to 30 April 2012.

NOTED, that the next Forward Plan was due to be published on 16 December 2011, this would cover the period from 1 January to 30 April 2012.

To receive, for information, the minutes of a meeting of the Enfield Residents’ Priority Fund Cabinet Sub-Committee held on 22 November 2011.

NOTED, for information, the minutes of a meeting of the Enfield Residents’ Priority Fund Cabinet Sub-Committee held on 22 November 2011.

Members noted that a correction was required to paragraph 2.49 of the minutes in relation to the Sublime Soccer Weekly Football Club. The project was in Chase Ward, not Edmonton Green Ward as stated in the minutes.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting of the Cabinet held on 23 November 2011.

AGREED that the minutes of the previous meeting of the Cabinet held on 23 November 2011 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Written updates will be circulated at the meeting for Members’ information.

Members received written updates, circulated at the meeting, providing a summary of the report following the Enfield Strategic Partnership’s Annual Conference which had taken place on 20 October 2011 and, a summary of the minutes of the Enfield Strategic Partnership Board meeting held on 6 December 2011.

NOTED

1.         the outcomes of both the Enfield Strategic Partnership Conference and its December Board meeting;

2.         Councillor Del Goddard (Cabinet Member for Business and Regeneration) highlighted a number of the issues which had been discussed at the December Board meeting. Issues included the further work being proposed by the Young People’s Life Opportunities Commission; Area Based Partnerships; and, the development of the Enfield Food Strategy. Members noted that a £600,000 grant for market gardening had been approved.

3.         that funding for a new lift at Edmonton Green had been approved. Members discussed the terms of the funding and the implications for the Council. 

The next meeting of the Cabinet is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 18 January 2012 at 8.15pm.

NOTED that the next meeting of the Cabinet was scheduled to take place on Wednesday 18 January 2012 at 8.15pm.