Agenda for Cabinet on Tuesday, 12th August, 2014, 7.45 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:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Yasemin Brett (Cabinet Member for Community Organisations), Councillor Ayfer Orhan (Cabinet Member for Education, Children’s Services and Protection) and, Councillor Ahmet Oykener (Cabinet Member for Housing and Estate Regeneration).

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:

There were no declarations of interest.

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 working days in advance of meetings.

4.

DEPUTATIONS

To consider any requests for deputations which are received for presentation to this Cabinet meeting.

Minutes:

There were no deputations to be received at this meeting.

5.

ITEMS TO BE REFERRED TO THE COUNCIL

To agree that the following report be referred to full Council:

 

1.     Report No.40 – Adoption of the North Circular Area Action Plan part of Enfield’s Local Plan

Minutes:

AGREED that the following item be referred to the Council:

 

1.               Report No.40 – Adoption of the North Circular Area Action Plan part of Enfield’s Local Plan.

6.

Quarterly Corporate Performance Report pdf icon PDF 218 KB

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 3944)

(Report No.39)

(8.20 – 8.25 pm)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Achilleas Georgiou (Deputy Leader) introduced the report of the Chief Executive (No.39) setting out the progress made towards delivering the identified key priority indicators for Enfield.

 

NOTED

 

1.               The progress made towards delivering the identified key priority indicators for Enfield, as detailed in the report.

 

2.               That the financial indicators were performing well, as set out in the report. Members extended their appreciation to Councillor Stafford and relevant officers for the work which had been undertaken to achieve these good results.

 

3.               That some areas of concern remained including the number of households living in temporary accommodation. There had been a significant increase in the numbers of households presenting themselves as homeless in Enfield, the Council had a statutory duty to house these people. This was a national issue. Enfield was actively seeking to address this issue which included the setting up of Housing Gateway for the purpose previously agreed by members.

 

4.               In response to a question raised, Andrew Fraser (Director of Schools and Children’s Services) outlined in more detail the indicators relating to the persistent absences in secondary and primary schools and the work which was being undertaken to address these areas of concern.

 

5.               Members noted that the Council would continue to tackle childhood obesity. Further work was required. This was a national issue which needed to be addressed.

 

6.               The successful indicator in relation to care leavers (19-21 years old) in education, employment or training was noted.

 

Alternative Options Considered: Not to report regularly on the Council’s performance, 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 3944)

7.

ADOPTION OF NORTH CIRCULAR AREA ACTION PLAN PART OF ENFIELD'S LOCAL PLAN pdf icon PDF 153 KB

A report from the Director of Regeneration and Environment is attached. This seeks Cabinet’s endorsement of the North Circular Area Action Plan and recommendation to full Council for formal adoption. (Key decision – reference number 3918)

(Report No.40)

(8.25 – 8.30 pm)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Bambos Charalambous (Associate Cabinet Member – Enfield West) and Alan Sitkin (Cabinet Member for Economic Development) introduced the report of the Director of Regeneration and Environment (No.40) seeking endorsement for the North Circular Area Action Plan.

 

NOTED

 

1.               That this was a detailed and well-presented document which had been subject to thorough consultation. The Action Plan would form part of Enfield’s Local Plan.

 

2.               That Members’ attention was drawn to a number of the specific policy areas set out in the Action Plan.

 

3.               The significant amount of work which had been undertaken. Members extended their thanks and appreciation to the officers who had been involved and also recognised the considerable contribution which had been made by the former Councillor Del Goddard.

 

4.               That this was a good example of a spatial issue that had benefitted from the involvement of the Associate Cabinet Member for Enfield West, Councillor Bambos Charalambous.

 

Alternative Options Considered: None considered as having an adopted and comprehensive planning framework for the area provided a basis for setting the area specific planning policies by which decisions on development would be guided. This was essential to support the Council’s regeneration programme, particularly in light of on-going as well as future investment opportunities.

 

DECISION: The Cabinet noted receipt of the Planning Inspector’s final report, attached as Appendix 1 to the report that concluded the North Circular Area was “sound” and legally compliant.

 

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL the formal adoption of the North Circular Area Action Plan to form part of Enfield’s Local Plan.

 

Reason: As detailed in the alternative options above.

(Key decision – reference number 3918)

8.

Disposal of Chase Farmstead (Part) pdf icon PDF 198 KB

A report from the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services is attached. This seeks approval to the disposal of Chase Farmstead (part). (Report No.43, agenda part two also refers) (Key decision – reference number 3970)

(Report No.41)

(8.30 – 8.35 pm)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Andrew Stafford (Cabinet Member for Finance) introduced the report of the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services (No.41) seeking approval to the sale of Chase Farmstead (Part) as detailed in the report.

 

NOTED

 

1.               That Report No.43 also referred as detailed in Minute No.18 below.

 

2.               The extensive discussions which had taken place over a significant period of time. A resolution had now been reached as set out in this report and Report No.43.

 

Alternative Options Considered: The Council could not conclude the sale on acceptable terms. The alternative option was to withdraw from negotiations.

 

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed

 

1.               To conclude the sale of Chase Farmstead in accordance with the Cabinet authority previously given.

2.               To approve the construction of a Reed Bed within the tenancy of Chase and Slopers Pond Farm and the grant of appropriate rights thereto for the purchaser of Chase Farmstead and successors in title.

3.               To approve the repairing terms negotiated in the event of certain conditions being met in respect of the southern access way.

 

Reason: To conclude the final agreed terms following the Cabinet decision of 15 September 2010.

(Key decision – reference number 3970)

9.

ASSOCIATE CABINET MEMBERS pdf icon PDF 298 KB

A report from the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services is attached. This sets out in more detail the role of the new Associate Cabinet Members. (Non key)

(Report No.42)

(8.35 – 8.40 pm)

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Achilleas Georgiou (Deputy Leader) introduced the report of the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services (No.42) setting out in more detail the role of the new Associate Cabinet Members.

 

NOTED

 

1.               That the report set out in more detail the roles and responsibilities of the three Associate Cabinet Members (ACMs) following the Council decision taken in June 2014. The three spatial areas were detailed in section 3.2 of the report. Ward members would be supported by the ACMs on spatial issues. The ACMs would chair their respective area partnership boards and provide a focal point for ward business in their respective spatial areas. The ACMs would also attend the Enfield Strategic Partnership Board, as set out in the report. The North Circular Area Action Plan was a good example of a significant spatial issue.

 

2.               That each ACM would be developing a work programme, as detailed in section 3.6 of the report.

 

3.               That an evaluation process would commence in January 2016 to report to Cabinet in April 2016, section 3.9 of the report referred.

 

4.               That the strategic role of the ACM dictated that a close watching brief on Council wide activity in their respective areas was maintained. As part of their remit, ACMs would proactively take note of the delegated action reports (DARs) coming forward through the Publication of Decision and Key Decision lists to ensure that this important aspect of their work was observed and any opportunities arising were followed up. This wording would be included with the guidance for ACMs.

 

5.               Councillor Bambos Charalambous (Associate Cabinet Member – Enfield West) outlined the work which was being undertaken within his area in establishing the new ward forums, each with different needs and expectations. The ACM was a rewarding role involving a number of spatial issues including Cycle Enfield and the Mayor of London Infrastructure report on which consultation was to take place.

 

6.               Councillor George Savva (Associate Cabinet Member – Enfield South East) reiterated that this was a challenging role. Work was being undertaken in establishing the future structures of the ward forums and how best to engage with the current police forums.

 

7.               Councillor Ozzie Uzoanya (Associate Cabinet Member – Enfield North) outlined the work which he was undertaking in communicating the role of ACMs and establishing the foundations on which to build on. Clear structures were being put in place for the new ward forums.

 

8.               Members supported the role and responsibilities of the ACMs.

 

 

Alternative Options Considered: The option to continue with the present arrangements had been considered but discounted on the grounds that they would not meet the new democratic imperative being sought by the administration and would fail to address a new identified opportunity to improve how the Council and its members works with and delivers services into the local community.

 

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed that

 

1.               The role and responsibilities of Associate Cabinet Members as set out in detail in the report be approved.

2.               The means of assessing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

CABINET AGENDA PLANNING - FUTURE ITEMS pdf icon PDF 150 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. The number of items currently scheduled for the September and October Cabinet meetings were noted.

11.

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 241 KB

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting of the Cabinet held on Wednesday 23 July 2014.

Minutes:

AGREED that the minutes of the previous meeting of the Cabinet held on 23 July 2014 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

12.

LOCAL PLAN CABINET SUB-COMMITTEE - 15 JULY 2014 pdf icon PDF 94 KB

To receive, for information, the minutes of a meeting of the Local Plan Cabinet Sub-Committee held on 15 July 2014.

Minutes:

NOTED, for information, the minutes of a meeting of the Local Plan Cabinet Sub-Committee held on 15 July 2014.

13.

LONDON FIRE AND EMERGENCY PLANNING AUTHORITY - PROPOSED REFORM OF FIRE SERVICE DECISION MAKING IN LONDON - CONSULTATION RESPONSE pdf icon PDF 212 KB

To note, for information, the attached consultation response from Councillor Doug Taylor, Leader of the Council, on behalf of the London Borough of Enfield, to the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority. The response sets out the Council’s views on the proposed reform of fire service decision making in London.

 

The Council had been required to respond by Tuesday 29 July 2014 so it had not been possible to await the next Cabinet meeting.

(8.45 – 8.50pm)

Minutes:

NOTED, for information, a consultation response from Councillor Doug Taylor, Leader of the Council, on behalf of the London Borough of Enfield, to the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority. The response set out the Council’s views on the proposed reform of fire service decision making in London. The Council had been required to respond by Tuesday 29 July 2014 so it had not been possible to await the next Cabinet meeting. The response had been consistent with the majority of London Councils.

14.

ISSUES ARISING FROM THE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE pdf icon PDF 12 KB

SCRUTINY WORKSTREAMS

 

To note, for information, the attached paper setting out the agreed Scrutiny Workstreams. 

(8.50 – 8.55pm)

Minutes:

Scrutiny Work streams

 

Councillor Doug Taylor (Leader of the Council) invited Councillor Nneka Keazor (Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee) to comment on the Scrutiny work streams which had been agreed by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 24 July 2014.

 

NOTED

 

1.               That the paper reflected the Council decision on the new arrangements for scrutiny in Enfield and included the two standing work streams around Health and Crime.

 

2.               Councillor Achilleas Georgiou had attended the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting to outline Cabinet’s priorities; this had assisted the Committee in agreeing work streams that provided a scrutiny oversight on Council priorities.

 

3.               Overview and Scrutiny Committee had been informed that Cabinet were looking to reduce levels of obesity, address levels of temporary accommodation and combat gangs and knife crime in the borough. These had all been reflected in the work streams.

 

4.               That the work stream lead members were working with officers from the scrutiny team to provide a more detailed scope for the subject areas selected. These scopes would allow the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to manage the scrutiny work effectively and ensure that scrutiny had a focus on Council Community and Partner priorities.

 

The views of the Cabinet members were sought on the scrutiny work streams. The following issues arose:

 

(a)            That five work streams would be undertaken at any one time. It was noted that the completion dates would vary. Six work streams had been identified initially. The Overview and Scrutiny Committee would agree future work streams as and when required. There would be two standing work streams for crime and health.

 

(b)            This was an opportunity for members to get involved in areas of interest. Both Groups would be nominating members through their party whips. It was anticipated that the first meetings would take place in September following the identified memberships. The memberships would be circulated as appropriate and reviewed as and when required. The memberships would reflect the political proportionality of the Council.

 

Councillor Taylor thanked Councillor Keazor for her attendance.

15.

ENFIELD STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP UPDATE

There are no written updates to be received.

Minutes:

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

16.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

To note that the next meeting of the Cabinet is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 17 September 2014 at 8.15pm.

Minutes:

NOTED that the next meeting of the Cabinet was scheduled to take place on Wednesday 17 September 2014 at 8.15pm.

17.

EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC

To consider passing a resolution under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 excluding the press and public from the meeting for any items of business listed on part 2 of the agenda on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in those paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act (as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006).

(Members are asked to refer to the part 2 agenda).

Minutes:

RESOLVED in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the press and public from the meeting for the item of business listed on part 2 of the agenda on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of confidential information as defined in Paragraph 3 (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act (as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006).

18.

DISPOSAL OF CHASE FARMSTEAD (PART)

A report from the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services is attached, this should be read in conjunction with Report No.41 on the part one agenda. (Key decision – reference number 3970)

(Report No.43)

(9.00 – 9.05 pm)

Minutes:

Councillor Andrew Stafford (Cabinet Member for Finance) introduced the report of the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services (No.43).

 

NOTED

 

1.               That Report No.41 also referred as detailed in Minute No.8 above.

 

2.               The detailed plans showing the sale of land at Chase Farmstead and the land to be surrendered as circulated with the report.

 

3.               The areas of land in question, the rights of access and the financial details, as set out in the report.

 

4.               The property implications as set out in section 6 of the report.

 

Alternative Options Considered: As detailed in Report No.41, Minute No.8 above refers.

 

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed to

 

1.               Conclude the sale in accordance with the Cabinet authority previously given for the sum detailed in recommendation 2.1 of the report.

2.               Approve the construction of a “Reed Bed” within the tenancy of Chase and Slopers Pond Farm.

3.               Grant appropriate rights for the purchaser of Chase Farmstead and successors in title for the payment of the sum detailed in recommendation 2.3 of the report.

4.               Approve the terms negotiated in the event of the southern access way becoming “made up” and removing the repair liability from the tenancy of Chase and Slopers Pond Farm for the payment from the purchaser of the sum detailed in recommendation 2.4 of the report.

 

Reason: As detailed in Report No.41, Minute No.8 above refers.

(Key decision – reference number 3970)