Agenda for Cabinet on Wednesday, 23rd January, 2013, 8.15 pm

Agenda and minutes

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

Contact: Jacqui Hurst Tel: 0208 379 4096. E-mail:  jacqui.hurst@enfield.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

1.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Minutes:

There were no apologies for absence.

2.

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS

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

Minutes:

Members were reminded, by the Assistant Director Legal, of the need to identify any disclosable pecuniary, other pecuniary or non pecuniary interests relevant to items on the agenda.  

 

Following a discussion by Members, Councillor Andrew Stafford (Cabinet Member for Finance and Property) declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in Report No.138 – Council Tax Support Local Scheme Update (Minute No.7 below refers). Councillor Stafford took no part in the discussion and left the room for the item.

3.

URGENT ITEMS

The Chairman will consider the admission of any 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 and Meetings) (England) Regulations 2012.

Note: The above requirements state that agendas and reports should be circulated at least 5 clear working days in advance of meetings.

Minutes:

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 and Meetings) (England) Regulations 2012. These requirements state that agendas and reports should be circulated at least 5 clear days in advance of meetings.

4.

DEPUTATIONS AND PETITIONS

To note that no requests for deputations (with or without petitions) have been received for presentation to this Cabinet meeting.

Minutes:

NOTED that no requests for deputations (with or without petitions) had been received for presentation to this Cabinet meeting.

5.

ITEMS TO BE REFERRED TO THE COUNCIL

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

 

1.         Report No.138 – Council Tax Support Local Scheme Update

 

2.         Report No.139 – A Tenancy Strategy for Enfield

 

3.         Report No.141 – Enfield Joint Carers Strategy 2013-16

 

4.         Report No.142 – Enfield 2020 Sustainability Programme and Action Plan

 

Minutes:

AGREED that the following items be referred to full Council:

 

1.         Report No.138 – Council Tax Support Local Scheme Update (note: a revised report to be presented to Council seeking agreement to the Council Tax Support Local Scheme)

 

2.         Report No.139 – A Tenancy Strategy for Enfield

 

3.         Report No.141 – Enfield Joint Carers Strategy 2013-16

 

4.         Report No.142 – Enfield 2020 Sustainability Programme and Action Plan

6.

November 2012 Revenue Monitoring Report pdf icon PDF 339 KB

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 November 2012. (Key decision – reference number 3580)

(Report No.137)

(8.25 – 8.30 pm)

Minutes:

Councillor Andrew Stafford (Cabinet Member for Finance and Property) introduced the report of the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services (No.137) setting out the Council’s revenue budget monitoring position based on information to the end of November 2012.

 

NOTED

 

1.         that table 1 in the report set out the financial performance overview; the risk ratings for September, October and November were noted;

 

2.         that table 2 in the report set out the net controllable budget by department. The departmental monitoring information outlining both budget pressures and projected savings were set out in section 5 of the report. The majority of pressures were either demand led or due to the economic circumstances;

 

3.         the current position with regard to the achievement of savings as set out in section 8 of the report;

 

4.         that there had been no deterioration in the financial position of the Authority and plans were in place to balance the Medium Term Financial Plan (section 11.1 of the report referred);

 

5.         in response to questions raised regarding the current inclement weather and the effect on the environment budget, it was noted that the winter maintenance budget was in place. It was too early to forecast the costs involved and would depend on the extent of any bad weather in February and March. Other potential effects on the budget would be a reduction in parking receipts and road surface damage (potholes). If necessary the Council could call upon its reserves to meet any additional costs not covered by the winter maintenance budget.

 

Members took this opportunity to express their thanks and appreciation of the  good work undertaken by the environment gritting crews and the refuse collection teams.

 

Alternative Options Considered: Not applicable to this report.

 

DECISION: The Cabinet

 

1.         noted the £412k underspend revenue outturn projection after noting the shortfall in income (as detailed in paragraph 5.2 of the report);

 

2.         agreed that departments reporting pressures should continue to manage budgets in order to eliminate any overspend in 2012/13.

 

Reason for recommendations: 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 3580)

7.

COUNCIL TAX SUPPORT LOCAL SCHEME UPDATE pdf icon PDF 322 KB

 A report from the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services is attached. This updates Members on the progress of the Council Tax Support Local Scheme.  (Key decision – reference number 3588)

(Report No.138)

(8.30 – 8.35 pm)

Minutes:

Councillor Doug Taylor (Leader of the Council) introduced the report of the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services (No.138) updating Members on the Council Tax Support Local Scheme.

 

Alternative Options Considered: The Local Scheme included three main variants which were set out in the report and had been subject to extensive consultation on the basis of a fully funded scheme. A do nothing option was not feasible as the Government’s Default Scheme unamended would apply leaving a funding gap. Adopting the recently announced Government scheme of transitional grant for one year with restriction in reductions to 8.5% would not produce a fully funded scheme as the grant is insufficient. The Cabinet decision in July 2012 was to consult on the basis of a fully funded scheme, as the Government’s scheme of transitional grant did not exist at that time.

 

DECISION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL: Cabinet agreed to instruct the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services to prepare and recommend a local council tax support scheme to the Council on 30 January 2013 including proposals for council tax technical changes, the council tax and business rate tax base.

 

Reasons for recommendations: This report resulted from Government legislation to replace the national Council Tax Benefit scheme with a locally agreed scheme with reduced grant support.

(Key decision – reference number 3588)

 

Councillor Taylor (Leader of the Council) advised Members that following the production of the above report, a full and amended report had been prepared for the Council meeting on 30 January 2013, which had been published the previous day and was available for Cabinet Members this evening for consideration.

 

James Rolfe (Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services) gave a short presentation to Members on the Council Tax Support Scheme as set out in the report to full Council, as follows:

 

The Government as part of its welfare reform agenda is scrapping the current national Council Tax Benefit scheme and replacing this with Council Tax Support which Councils have to determine locally and with reduced levels of Government funding. Pensioners are protected from the scheme and impact of the reduced support falls upon working age benefit cases. Enfield has developed a number of models and the Council will be asked to determine which model should be adopted for 2013/14 and will need to agree this before the end of this month.

 

The Council has carried out a full 12 week consultation on four different schemes all of which passed on the reductions in the forms of reduced support to working age cases to produce a fully funded scheme. At the very end of the consultation period, the Government announced a Transitional Grant scheme limiting reductions in support subject to certain criteria. This announcement was far too late to be included in the consultation and although such a scheme would not be fully funded the Council had developed this as further scheme options. The Council also has up to date information on the Government funding available and upon the slowing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

A Tenancy Strategy for Enfield pdf icon PDF 184 KB

A report from the Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care is attached. This presents Enfield Council’s Tenancy Strategy 2013-2018 for approval. (Key decision – reference number 3527)

(Report No.139)

(8.35 – 8.40 pm)

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Ahmet Oykener (Cabinet Member for Housing) introduced the report of the Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care (No.139) presenting Enfield Council’s Tenancy Strategy 2013-2018.

 

NOTED

 

1.         that there was a statutory requirement under the Localism Act 2011 for local authorities to have a Tenancy Strategy in place by January 2013;

 

2.         that the Strategy set out a range of issues that Registered Providers (Housing Associations and Enfield Homes) with social rented housing stock in Enfield should have regard to when formulating their Tenancy Policies, although it could not be imposed on them. The Strategy reflected the Council’s position that longer term tenancies were the best approach for addressing housing need and building strong neighbourhoods and sustainable communities. The Strategy aligned with the Council’s other Housing Strategies.

 

Alternative Options Considered: Publication of a Tenancy Strategy was a statutory requirement.

 

DECISION: The Cabinet

 

1.         agreed Enfield’s new Tenancy Strategy;

 

2.         noted the requirement for a Tenancy Policy to be developed for Registered Providers with housing stock in the borough, including Enfield Homes.

 

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL to approve the Tenancy Strategy.

 

Reasons for recommendations: Enfield’s Tenancy Strategy provides Registered providers with a broad statement of the objectives and aims of the Council in relation to tenancies, aims and objectives that will reflect the local circumstances existing in Enfield. It is vital that the strategic direction provided to housing providers on the use of fixed term tenancies is endorsed by the Council. The policies developed by housing providers will influence key corporate objectives, including sustainable communities. During 2013, a Tenancy Policy for the Council’s own housing stock will be developed in partnership with Enfield Homes, in line with this Tenancy Strategy.

(Key decision – reference number 3527)

9.

Health and Adult Social Care, Voluntary & Community Sector Strategic Commissioning Framework 2013-16 pdf icon PDF 190 KB

A report from the Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care is attached. This seeks approval to agree the new 3-year strategic commissioning framework for adult social funding objectives and outcomes provided by the voluntary and community sector. (Key decision – reference number 3583)

(Report No.140)

(8.40 – 8.45 pm)

 

Note: Reference copies of the Voluntary and Community Sector Strategic Commissioning Framework 2012-2015 (Draft for consultation) and, Voluntary and Community Sector Strategic Commissioning Framework 2013-2016 – A Summary of Submissions received in response to the consultation, are available in the Members’ Library and Group Offices. A copy is also available on the Council’s website.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Don McGowan (Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Care and Health) introduced the report of the Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care (No.140) seeking agreement to the new three year strategic commissioning framework for adult social funding objectives and outcomes provided by the voluntary and community sector.

 

NOTED

 

1.         that the new framework had been developed in partnership with a wide range of stakeholders, as set out in paragraph 1.2 of the report. Extensive consultation had been undertaken;

 

2.         the seven key joint commissioning aims as detailed in full in section 3.6 of the report;

 

3.         the wide range of projects currently funded by the voluntary and community sector including (paragraph 3.4 of the report refers):

 

  • Information and Advice
  • Advocacy
  • Prevention and Early Intervention
  • Re-ablement and Enablement, support into employment
  • Day centres, customer respite, transport
  • Core funding and running costs

 

4.         In discussion, Members welcomed the report and direction of travel and raised the need to continue to ensure that good employment practices were developed within the third sector. In response, Ray James (Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care) outlined to Members the developments which were taking place including the introduction of a scheme of peer brokers to share experience and the promotion of local employment;

 

5.         Members noted the key risks outlined in section 7 of the report. Councillor McGowan and Ray James assured Members of the effective measures that were in place for both customers and stakeholders;

 

6.         that in response to questions raised by Members, Ray James detailed the structures in place and the options available to individual customers in ensuring that they had the most effective option available to them to meet their individual needs. Customers would be given as much choice as possible.

 

Alternative Options Considered: Do nothing – the current adult social care grant system could not be continued. Many of these current grants had been in place for a number of years. There had not been a consistent and regular monitoring and review process to evaluate outcomes and benefits delivered and during this time strategic priorities had changed.

 

DECISION: The Cabinet

 

1.         noted and agreed the Adult Social Care Strategic Commissioning Framework;

 

2.         noted the extensive consultation undertaken in developing the framework;

 

3.         noted the shared principles to underpin new commissioning arrangements set out at paragraph 3.15 of the report.

 

Reasons for recommendations: The reasons for recommendations were set out in full in section 5 of the report.

(Key decision – reference number 3583)

10.

Enfield Joint Carers Strategy 2013-16 pdf icon PDF 186 KB

A report from the Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care is attached. This proposes the agreement of a joint Enfield Carers Strategy between Enfield Council and NHS Enfield. (Key decision – reference number 3591)

(Report No.141)

(8.45 – 8.50 pm)

 

Note: Reference copies of the full Strategy are available in the Members’ Library and Group Offices. A copy is also available on the Council’s website.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Don McGowan (Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Care and Health) introduced the report of the Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care (No.141) proposing the agreement of a joint Enfield Carers Strategy between Enfield Council and NHS Enfield.

 

NOTED

 

1.         that the Strategy had been subject to a three month period of consultation with carers, key partners and the voluntary and community sector, as detailed in the report;

 

2.         that the Strategy set out how Enfield would develop and deliver carers services to implement the National Carers Strategy, the “Caring for the Future” white paper and Care and Support Bill. The five key strategic objectives of the Strategy were set out in section 3.15 of the report;

 

3.         the number of adult and young carers currently in Enfield, paragraph 3.2 of the report refers. Members were pleased to note the objective that children and young people would be protected from inappropriate caring and have the support they need (section 3.16 refers).

 

Alternative Options Considered: The Strategy sets out the delivery of services and support to carers and how the Council and NHS Enfield will work in partnership to identify carers. It proposes an approach to commissioning Carers Services that is consistent with forthcoming legislation, current legislation and guidance and is in line with existing Council and NHS Enfield strategies.

 

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL to approve the Enfield Joint Carers Strategy 2013-16 and associated delivery plan.

 

Reasons for recommendations: The strategy was intended to meet the government’s key objectives for the delivery of services to meet the needs of carers and meet the requirements to assess and support carers as specified in the “Caring for the Future” and the draft Care and Support Bill. The support of carers was a long term cost effective option for the Council and Health.

(Key decision – reference number 3591)

11.

Enfield 2020 Sustainability Programme and Action Plan pdf icon PDF 285 KB

A report from the Director of Environment is attached. This seeks approval of the Enfield 2020 Sustainability Programme and Action Plan. (Key decision – reference number 3562)

(Report No.142)

(8.50 – 8.55 pm)

 

Note: Reference copies of the Enfield 2020 Sustainability Programme and Action Plan are available in the Members’ Library and Group Offices. A copy is also available on the Council’s website.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Chris Bond (Cabinet Member for Environment) introduced the report of the Director of Environment (No.142) seeking approval, for recommendation to full Council, of the Enfield 2020 Sustainability Programme and Action Plan.

 

NOTED the extensive consultation which had taken place to date, as set out in the report. The feedback had been positive, with broad support. Enfield 2020 is an ambitious sustainability programme, which is forecast to deliver significant benefits for all of Enfield’s stakeholders. It has a strong fit with all three of the Council’s aims. Members’ attention was drawn to the themes set out in the 2020 Vision as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report. The Action Plan contains 50 strategic sustainability projects, which provide clear evidence of the Council leading by example. Members welcomed the report.

 

Alternative Options Considered: Doing nothing would lose the opportunities to significantly improve the sustainability of the Borough of Enfield and Enfield Council by 2020, and to deliver significant economic, environmental and social benefits for all of Enfield’s stakeholders.

 

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL to approve the final designed version of the Enfield 2020 Sustainability Programme and Action Plan.

 

Reasons for recommendations: Enfield 2020 provides a Sustainability Strategy through to 2020 and an Action Plan which already contains 50 strategic sustainability projects. Programme management support is provided by the Sustainability Service, which is on track to more than cover its costs from March 2015. Enfield 2020 had the opportunity to significantly improve the sustainability of the Borough of Enfield and Enfield Council by 2020 delivering significant economic, environmental and social benefits for all of Enfield’s stakeholders.

(Key decision – reference number 3562)

12.

Highmead - Appropriation for Planning Purposes pdf icon PDF 149 KB

A report from the Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care and Director of Regeneration, Leisure and Culture is attached. This seeks approval for the Council to use its powers to appropriate the land required for the Highmead development for planning purposes. (Key decision – reference number 3440)

(Report No.143)

(8.55 – 9.00 pm)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Ahmet Oykener (Cabinet Member for Housing) introduced the report of the Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care and Director of Regeneration, Leisure and Culture (No.143) seeking approval for the Council to use its powers to appropriate the land required for the Highmead development for planning purposes.

 

NOTED the need for the Council to appropriate the land in order to allow the development of Highmead to proceed, as detailed in the report.

 

Alternative Options Considered: None.

 

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed in accordance with section 122 of the Local Government Act 1972 to appropriate the sites set out in Appendix 1 of the report and shown outlined on the plans at Appendix 2 of the report from their present holding purposes to planning purposes and in particular the purposes set out in section 237 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

 

Reasons for recommendations: The Development Agreement entered into by the Council included a requirement, as a condition precedent, for the Council to use its powers to appropriate the land for planning purposes. If the Council did not appropriate the land for planning purposes the developer could terminate the Development Agreement.

(Key decision – reference number 3440)

 

 

13.

ISSUES ARISING FROM THE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY PANEL/SCRUTINY PANELS

No items have been received for consideration at this meeting.

Minutes:

NOTED that no items had been received for consideration at this meeting.

14.

CABINET AGENDA PLANNING - FUTURE ITEMS pdf icon PDF 138 KB

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

Minutes:

NOTED the provisional list of items scheduled for future Cabinet meetings.

15.

NOTICE OF KEY DECISION LIST

Members are asked to consider any forthcoming key decisions for inclusion on the Council’s Notice of Key Decision List.

Note: the next Notice of Key Decision List is due to be published on 29 January 2013, this will be effective from 1 March 2013.

Minutes:

NOTED that the next Notice of Key Decision list was due to be published on 29 January 2013, this would be effective from 1 March 2013.

16.

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 194 KB

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting of the Cabinet held on 5 December 2012.

Minutes:

AGREED that the minutes of the previous meeting of the Cabinet held on 5 December 2012 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

17.

MINUTES OF THE ENFIELD RESIDENTS' PRIORITY FUND CABINET SUB-COMMITTEE - 11 DECEMBER 2012 pdf icon PDF 208 KB

To receive, for information, the minutes of a meeting of the Enfield Residents’ Priority Fund Cabinet Sub-Committee held on 11 December 2012.

Minutes:

NOTED the minutes of a meeting of the Enfield Residents’ Priority Fund Cabinet Sub-Committee held on 11 December 2012.

18.

MINUTES OF LOCAL PLAN CABINET SUB-COMMITTEE - 17 DECEMBER 2012 pdf icon PDF 149 KB

To receive, for information, the minutes of a meeting of the Local Plan Cabinet Sub-Committee held on 17 December 2012.

Minutes:

NOTED the minutes of a meeting of the Local Plan Cabinet Sub-Committee held on 17 December 2012.

19.

MINUTES OF ENFIELD COMMUNITY CAPACITY BUILDING FUND CABINET SUB-COMMITTEE - 3 JANUARY 2013 pdf icon PDF 17 KB

To receive, for information, the minutes of a meeting of the Enfield Community Capacity Building Fund Cabinet Sub-Committee held on 3 January 2013.

Minutes:

NOTED the minutes of a meeting of the Enfield Community Capacity Building Fund Cabinet Sub-Committee held on 3 January 2013.

20.

ENFIELD STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP UPDATE pdf icon PDF 119 KB

To receive a written update on the recent Enfield Strategic Partnership Board meeting.

                                    (Report No.144)

(9.10 – 9.15pm)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

NOTED a written update on the recent Enfield Strategic Partnership Board meeting held on 4 December 2012 (Report No. 144).

21.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

To note that the next meeting of the Cabinet is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 13 February 2012 at 8.15pm.

Minutes:

NOTED that the next meeting of the Cabinet was scheduled to take place on Wednesday 13 February 2013 at 8.15pm.