Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Andrew Stafford (Cabinet Member for Finance and Property), Ray James (Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care), Neil Rousell (Director of Regeneration, Leisure and Culture) and, Ian Davis (Director of Environment).

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

There were no declarations of interest.

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.

NOTED that the report listed on the agenda had 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. These requirements state that agendas and reports should be circulated at least 5 clear days in advance of meetings.

AGREED that Report No.96 – A Draft Revised Allocations Scheme for Enfield for Allocating Social Rented Homes in Enfield, be considered at this meeting to enable the report to be referred to the full Council meeting scheduled to take place on 7 November 2012.

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 item be referred to full Council:

1.         Report No.96 – A Draft Revised Allocations Scheme for Enfield for Allocating Social Rented Homes in Enfield

AGREED that the following report be referred to the Council:

1.         Report No.96 – A Draft Revised Allocations Scheme for Enfield for Allocating Social Rented Homes in Enfield

A report from the Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care will be circulated as soon as possible. This seeks approval of Enfield’s new Allocations Scheme for endorsement by full Council.  (Key decision – reference number 3413)                                                                                          

(Report No.96)

(7.20 – 7.30 pm)

TO FOLLOW

Councillor Ahmet Oykener (Cabinet Member for Housing) introduced the report of the Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care (No.96) seeking approval of Enfield’s new Allocations Scheme.

NOTED

1.         that the report was due to be considered by full Council at its meeting on 7 November 2012;

2.         the considerable amount of work which had been involved in bringing together a revised Allocations Scheme for Enfield. It was a challenging time and many changes had taken place. Councillor Oykener expressed his thanks and appreciation to both the individual officers (Sally McTernan, Susan Sharry, Liz Smale, Neil Harris and Rita Foran)  who had been closely involved in this area of work; and, to the Councillors involved in an advisory group with him in bringing this significant document together (Councillors Hamilton, Georgiou, Simon, Brett, Uzoanya and Ibrahim). Detailed discussions had taken place and a fair and transparent document had been produced which was now being presented for approval;

3.         that Members’ supported the revised Allocations Scheme as set out in the report.

Alternative Options Considered: NOTED the following alternative options considered:

1.         Retain the current allocations scheme. Retaining the current allocations scheme was not an option because it was subject to legal challenges, complex to administer, lacks flexibility and was no longer able to meet local housing priorities.

2.         Make minor amendments to the current allocations scheme. Minor adjustments to the current points scheme (which measures housing priority) could be made as well as strengthening the scheme to avoid legal challenges around housing assessments and use of the Choice Based Lettings System. The legal and policy context for allocating social rented housing has changed significantly meaning minor adjustments were not recommended.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

1.         to approve Enfield’s new Allocations Scheme;

2.         to approve an on-going review of the Allocations Scheme during the first year of operation from the full implementation date with major changes reported back to Cabinet at the end of one year for a decision on whether to take to full Council;

3.         to authorise the Cabinet Member for Housing to approve minor changes to the allocations Scheme to address practical issues revealed by the on-going review or made necessary due to further legislation or case law.

DECISION: Cabinet agreed to approve the creation of a single assessment and allocations function to improve the customer’s experience which would be under the Council’s control.

Reason: Enfield’s current allocations scheme was subject to frequent legal challenge and no longer meets local priorities for allocating social rented housing in the Borough.

(Key decision – reference number 3413)

No items have been received for consideration at this meeting.

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

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 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 30 November 2012, this will be effective from 1 January 2013.

NOTED that the next Notice of Key Decision List was due to be published on 30 November 2012, this would be effective from 1 January 2013.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting of the Cabinet held on 10 October 2012.

AGREED that the minutes of the previous meeting of the Cabinet held on 10 October 2012 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

There are no written updates to be presented to this meeting.

NOTED that there were no written updates to be presented to this meeting.

To note that the next meeting of the Cabinet is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 14 November 2012 at 8.15pm.

NOTED that the next meeting of the Cabinet was scheduled to take place on Wednesday 14 November 2012 at 8.15pm.