Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Ayfer Orhan (Cabinet Member for Children and Young People).

Apologies for lateness were received from Councillor Don McGowan (Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Care and Health) and Councillor Bambos Charalambous (Culture, Leisure, Youth and Localism).

There were no declarations of interest registered in respect of any items on the agenda.

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 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.

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.142 – Council Tax Support Scheme for 2014/15

AGREED that the following item be referred to full Council:

1.     Report No.142 – Council Tax Support Scheme for 2014/15

A report from the Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care is attached. This seeks approval of the Council’s Homelessness Strategy 2013-2018 and Action Plan. (Key decision – reference number 3822)

(Report No.140)

(8.20 – 8.25 pm)

Councillor Ahmet Oykener (Cabinet Member for Housing) introduced the report of the Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care (No.140) seeking approval of the Council’s Homelessness Strategy 2013-2018 and Action Plan which set out plans for tackling homelessness in the borough.

NOTED

1.               That addressing homelessness was an important priority for the Council in the light of the impact of current welfare reforms, changes in national housing policy and changes in the borough’s local housing market. Members were advised that the GLA Housing Strategy was currently out for consultation.

2.               That Enfield’s vision for tackling homelessness was to: “Eliminate homelessness in the borough and enable people to make their own informed choices for housing they can afford”.

3.               Members’ attention was drawn to Enfield’s five key ambitions for its Homelessness Strategy as detailed in the Strategy document.

4.               That the Council’s plans for increasing the supply of affordable housing in Enfield were set out in Enfield’s 15 year Housing Strategy. Councillor Oykener proposed two amendments to the wording of the Homelessness Strategy to strengthen the links between housing supply and addressing homelessness as set out in section 5 below.

5.               The following proposed amendments to the Homelessness Strategy document which would strengthen Enfield’s strategic position and commitment to negotiating and retaining a good supply of housing for local single people:

(a)  Insert in the Executive Summary:

Key to addressing homelessness in Enfield is maximising the supply of homes for local people and making best use of Enfield’s existing housing stock. These are important corporate priorities. Our plans are set out in more detail in Enfield’s Housing Strategy and will evolve in response to changing circumstances. Our plans include:

·       Utilising Enfield Council’s Investment Partner Status to compete for more funding to build council homes

·       Actively maximising the development of council owned land, including small sites and garages as well as using other innovative approaches to increase the supply of homes

·       Joint working with our partner Housing Associations to develop new housing supply

(b)  Insert under Ambition 1: Preventing Homelessness in Enfield, and enabling households to find homes they can afford, additional bullet point:

·       Work with housing association partners providing homes for single people at risk of homelessness to ensure that supply continues to meet identified housing need.

6.               Members supported the proposed amendments which would strengthen the Homelessness Strategy.

Alternative Options Considered: NOTED that no alternative options had been considered as it was a statutory requirement for every local authority to publish a Homelessness Strategy every 5 years.

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed to approve the Council’s Homelessness Strategy 2013-2018 and Action Plan subject to the amendments detailed above.

Reason: It was imperative that at this time of unparalleled national policy change and Government financial austerity measures, the strategic direction was clearly set out by Enfield Council and its Partners for preventing and tackling homelessness in the borough, and that it was endorsed by Cabinet to demonstrate Enfield’s corporate commitment to addressing homelessness in Enfield.

(Key decision – reference number 3822)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

A report from the Chief Executive is attached. This sets out the progress made towards delivering the identified key priority indicators for Enfield. (Key decision – reference number 3733)

(Report No.141)

(8.25 – 8.30 pm)

Councillor Achilleas Georgiou (Deputy Leader) introduced the report of the Chief Executive (No.141) providing the latest available performance data at the end of the second quarter of 2013/14.

NOTED

1.               The progress which had been made towards delivering the identified key priority indicators for Enfield.

2.               Members’ drew attention to the following indicators:

·       Housing and Homelessness – Contractor monitoring by Enfield Homes of responsive repairs completed by agreed target date – the current target was being exceeded at 99.5% (target 98.85%).

·       Sport and Culture – the number of all library visits actual and electronic was 1,625,380, exceeding the target of 1,500,000.

·       Employment and Worklessness – the number of families engaged in Change and Challenge programme showing improvement under the criteria of employment, education and crime/anti-social behaviour was currently 101, a significant improvement on the target of 64. This compared favourably against neighbouring boroughs.

·       Enfield Council Website – significant progress continued to be made with the targets exceeded for both the number of public web page views and the total number of transactions carried out by members of the public using the Council’s website.

·       Employment and Worklessness – the Job Centre Plus Indicator was continuing to improve for a range of reasons, as outlined by Councillor Goddard. The Council was making a positive difference but it was recognised that further work was required. The high number of apprenticeships provided in Enfield was noted.

·       Crime Rates – Councillor Hamilton highlighted the recent launch of “Operation Spyder” with Enfield Council and the Metropolitan Police aimed at tackling vehicle related crime in the borough.

·       Crime Rates – the reported numbers of violence with injury had increased in Enfield, this had been driven to some extent by the Council’s efforts to increase the number of domestic violence victims who report crimes to the police and local authority.

·       Adult Social Care – Councillor McGowan drew Members’ attention to the improvement in delayed transfers of care regarding the timely and appropriate discharge from all hospitals for all adults. Work was continuing in sourcing “step down beds” in the Borough. The Older People’s Scrutiny Panel had been asked to monitor this area of work.

·       Waste, Recycling and Cleanliness – the continuing good rates of recycling in the Borough were noted.

Alternative Options Considered: Not to report regularly on the Council’s performance. This would make it difficult to assess progress made on achieving the Council’s main priorities and to demonstrate the value for money being provided by Council services.

Reason: To update Cabinet on the progress made against all key priority performance indicators for the Council.

(Key decision – reference number 3733)

A report from the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services is attached. This recommends, for approval by Council, a Council Tax Support Scheme for 2014/15. (Key decision – reference number 3832)

(Report No.142)

(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.142) recommending a revised Council Tax Support Scheme for 2014/15.

NOTED

1.               That in January 2013 Council had agreed a new Council Tax Support Scheme to replace the previous national Council Tax Benefit Scheme which had been abolished by the Government in April 2013. Every year the Council was obliged to consider whether to revise or replace its local Council Tax Support Scheme. A revised Council Tax Support Scheme for 2014/15 was being recommended to Members as set out fully in the report. The Council had to adopt the same or new scheme by 31 January of the preceding financial year to which the scheme would apply.

2.               The recommended amendments to the scheme as detailed in section 2 of the report and the financial implications of the proposals as set out in the report. The removal of the one month discount for empty and uninhabitable homes would enable the scheme to remain fully funded.

3.               Councillor Taylor drew Members’ attention to paragraph 4.3 of the report with regard to the discretionary council tax hardship scheme. It was anticipated that this fund would roll over into 2014/15 and be topped up through the budget setting process as a way of protecting the most vulnerable.

4.               Members were pleased to note the Council’s continued exceptional collection record.

Alternative Options Considered: NOTED that the Council had also considered not amending the scheme. However the experience of the first nine months of the scheme suggested that certain groups were being negatively impacted who had limited opportunities to find work and increase their income. The level of reduction of 19.5% was based on the scheme being fully funded and was calculated using the number of CTS recipients, collection rates, government grants and the cost of protecting pensioners and other protected groups. Without a full year’s collection rate, it was not recommended to change the percentage as at this stage there was no evidence of either a significant reduction in claimants, increased government grant or a surplus in collection. Therefore any change to the percentage would be likely to result in the scheme no longer being fully funded and alternative funding would need to be found to bridge the shortfall. This would require a further consultation before the deadline of 31 January 2014. The Government had confirmed that they would not be providing a transitional grant this year.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

1.               The Local Council Tax Support Scheme agreed for 2013/14 with the following amendments (as detailed in Appendix A for technical changes):

a)    That working age recipients of Council Tax Support who also receive Carers Allowance, the support component of Employment Support Allowance or higher rate Disability Living Allowance (or Personal Independence Payments) were exempted from the 19.5% reduction applied to all other working age claimants.

b)    That working age foster carers recruited, trained and supported by Enfield Council in receipt of Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

A report from the Director – Environment and Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services is attached. This seeks approval for two changes to the North London Waste Authority (NLWA) Levy. (Key decision – reference number 3807)

(Report No.143)

(8.35 – 8.40 pm)

Councillor Chris Bond (Cabinet Member for Environment) introduced the report of the Director – Environment and Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services (No.143) seeking approval for two changes to the North London Waste Authority (NLWA) levy.

NOTED

1.               The detail of the proposed amendments as set out in full in the report.

2.               Councillor Bond drew Members’ attention to paragraphs 3.14 and 3.15 of the report;

3.               The financial implications set out in section 6 the report.

Alternative Options Considered: NOTED the following alternative options:

1.               Not to agree to amendment 1 and pay a proportion of Barnet’s co-mingled recycling costs up to the proposed change to menu pricing in 2016/17, in effect allowing Barnet to pass on the costs of the recycling to the other 6 boroughs due to the 2 year delay in the levy. This would not make financial sense.

2.               Not to agree the amendment 2. If this change was not agreed, other boroughs were expected to pay a greater share of the costs of Western Road than of Cranford Way.

3.               Not to agree to amendment 1 and amendment 2.

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed

1.               Following review of the report by Overview and Scrutiny Committee, to approve the following resolutions set out in Appendix 1 to the report, in order to vary the NLWA alternative levy apportionment arrangements previously agreed by all North London Waste Authority constituent boroughs from 2012/13. This was to take effect from the apportionment of the NLWA’s 2014/15 levy.

2.               To delegate to the Director - Environment to agree minor changes to the proposed changes set out at Appendix 1 to the report, should this be required.

3.               For the avoidance of doubt, that all other parts of the current locally agreed levy apportionment arrangements remain unchanged.

Reason: The recommendations detailed in the report were made to protect the Council’s financial position with regards to the levy for the years 2014/15 and 2015/16. The second recommendation had a positive financial impact on Enfield.  

(Key decision – reference number 3807)

A report from the Chief Executive is attached. This is a discussion paper for Cabinet Members.   

(Report No.144)

(8.40 – 8.50 pm)

Councillor Del Goddard (Cabinet Member for Business and Regeneration) introduced the report of the Chief Executive (No.144) providing a discussion paper for Cabinet Members.

NOTED

1.               That a similar paper had been considered and agreed by the Enfield Strategic Partnership (ESP) the previous evening (10 December 2013). The ESP had endorsed the recommendations as set out in section 4 of the document.

2.               The success of the ESP conference, a report of which was contained in Appendix 1 to the report.

3.               Councillor Goddard set out the background to the discussion points which had been considered by the ESP and highlighted the following issues for Cabinet in considering a review of the overall structure of the Enfield Strategic Partnership:

·       ESP Board – Reviewing and Expanding Membership

It was agreed that there should be a strengthening of representation in learning and business areas.

·       The ESP Framework – Reviewing Themes

Education should be given a more prominent role in the ESP and a “Learning Communities” theme established.

·       ESP Framework – Reinstating the ESP Executive Group

The proposal to reinstate an ESP Executive Group for Enfield was supported.

·       ESP Framework – Co-ordinating engagement activities across partners and ensuring a holistic approach

The need to have an aligned approach to consultation and engagement was agreed.

·       ESP Framework – Reviewing the work of Thematic Action Groups, Area Based Partnerships (Regeneration) and other strategic forums operating in the Borough – rationalisation and consistency of membership

There would need to be consistency in the membership of the groups and their priorities.

·       ESP Framework – Enabling clear connections between locally focussed Area Based Partnerships (Regeneration) activity and the main board

There should be locally focused boards brought together under the main board providing a co-ordinated approach in terms of locality and themes.

·       Engaging and consulting with local people – gaining greater resident involvement in area, ward and neighbourhood based programmes

An aligned approach to community consultation and engagement was supported.

4.               Members supported the way forward as agreed by the ESP and outlined above.

5.               Councillor Taylor reported on an interesting presentation at the ESP Board meeting from Middlesex University on BME Communities. Members discussed the findings and agreed that the presentation slides be forwarded to all Cabinet Members for information. This would be co-ordinated by Andrew Fraser (Director of Schools and Children’s Services).

There are no issues for consideration at this meeting.

NOTED that no issues had been raised for consideration at this meeting.

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

NOTED that the Notice of Key Decisions List was due to be published on 20 December 2013, this would be effective from 1 February 2014.

AGREED that the minutes of the previous meeting of the Cabinet held on 13 November 2013 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To receive for information, the minutes of a meeting of the Enfield Residents Priority Fund Cabinet Sub-Committee held on 7 November 2013.

NOTED the minutes of a meeting of the Enfield Residents’ Priority Fund Cabinet Sub-Committee held on 7 November 2013.

To note that the next meeting of the Cabinet is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 22 January 2013 at 8.15pm.

NOTED that the next meeting of the Cabinet was scheduled to take place on Wednesday 22 January 2014 at 8.15pm.