Agenda and minutes

Councillor Doug Taylor (Leader of the Council) welcomed everyone to the meeting and reported with sadness the recent deaths of Jeff Rodin (former Council Leader) and Neil Isaac (Assistant Director – Regeneration and Environment). Tributes were paid to them both and condolences expressed.  Members and Officers present at the meeting observed a period of silence and reflection in their memory.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Alev Cazimoglu (Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care), Nneka Keazor (Cabinet Member for Public Health and Sport), Andrew Stafford (Cabinet Member for Finance and Efficiency) and Vicki Pite (Associate Cabinet Member – Enfield North).

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 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 there were no urgent items.

To note that no requests for deputations have been received for presentation to this Cabinet meeting.

NOTED, that no requests for deputations had been received for presentation to this Cabinet meeting.

To note that there are no items to be referred to full Council.

NOTED, that there were no items to be referred to full Council.

A report from the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services is attached. This sets out the Council’s 2015/16 provisional revenue outturn (based on spend to the end of February 2016 and departmental outturn forecasts). (Key decision – reference number 4152)

(Report No.223)

(8.20 – 8.25 pm)

James Rolfe (Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services) introduced his report (No.223) setting out the Council’s 2015/16 provisional revenue outturn (based on spend to the end of February 2016 and departmental outturn forecasts).

NOTED

1.               An amendment to page 2 of the report in relation to Schools: that the Government’s White Paper stated that schools were expected to either become academies, or be in the process of converting to academy status by the end of 2022 not 2020 as stated in the report.

2.               That the report included an update on potential financial implications for the 2016/17 Medium Term Financial Plan following the Chancellor’s 2016 Budget announcement on 16 March 2016.

3.               The potential implications resulting from possible changes to business rates, as set out in the report. The Government had published a discussion paper in March 2016 on moving to 3 year business rates revaluations.

4.               The continued financial pressures faced by the Council, as highlighted in the report. The Council was on track to achieve the 2015/16 projected outturn position. Discussions would continue to be held with regard to 2016/2017 with monitoring of required budget savings and spending controls.

5.               A discussion took place with regard to the potential impact of changes to business rates. It was noted that whilst the Government had recently issued a discussion paper there was no certainty of the outcome yet. Councillor Sitkin highlighted the concerns being expressed within the business community, and the need for clear communication and discussion with businesses in the Borough as the situation became clearer. There were many factors that would require careful consideration to accurately assess the potential financial impacts of any changes implemented by the Government. Councillor Georgiou outlined the significant work that would be required to accurately assess the number and location of businesses in the Borough and, the financial implications for both the businesses and the Council. Effective communication would need to take place as the proposals and their impact became clearer.

6.               Councillor Orhan highlighted the 2016 Budget implications for Schools as detailed in section 3 of the report. In the Chancellor’s budget he had announced £500 million of additional funding to accelerate the transition to a National Funding Formula for schools; it was unlikely that this would benefit Enfield, for the reasons set out in the report. Councillor Orhan expressed her concerns over the Government’s proposals and the potential impact for Enfield; and, the increased financial pressures that could be experienced by Schools in the future.

Alternative Options Considered: Not applicable to this report.

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed to note

1.               The forecast outturn and the use of on-off earmarked reserves and in-year savings.

2.               That, officers would continue to work to identify further savings to be reported to Cabinet in July in the 2015/16 Revenue Outturn so as to minimise the final use of reserves.

3.               The implications on the Chancellors 2016 Budget and that the Medium Term Financial Plan would be updated where possible for all known pressures and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

A report from the Director of Regeneration and Environment is attached. This seeks authority to dispose of long leases as outlined in the report. (Report No.227, agenda part two also refers). (Key decision – reference number 4271)

(Report No.224)

(8.25 – 8.30 pm)

Councillor Ahmet Oykener (Cabinet Member for Housing and Housing Regeneration) introduced the report of the Director of Regeneration and Environment (No.224) seeking approval to the disposal of long leases as outlined in the report.

NOTED

1.               That Report No.227 also referred as detailed in Minute No.18 below.

2.               The proposals outlined within the report in respect of Dujardin Mews and the Small Housing Sites (Phase 1) project. For all of the 36 intermediate home ownership properties involved, the Council would be required to directly grant a long lease to the purchaser when completed. Members were being asked to authorise these disposals to take place.

3.               The detail set out in the report in relation to the shared equity product on the Dujardin Mews development; the equity loan product on the Parsonage Lane, Jasper Close, and Lavender Hill developments; and, the shared ownership product on the Parsonage Lane development.

Alternative Options Considered: None. These developments had been brought forward on the basis that they included an element of intermediate housing that the Council would retain an interest in and directly dispose of an interest to purchasers. The purpose of this report was to enable this to happen.

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed to approve the

1.               Disposal of long leases for 19 shared equity properties on the Dujardin Mews development.

2.               Disposal of long leases for 15 equity loan properties and disposal of long leases for 2 shared ownership properties across Parsonage Lane, Jasper Close and Lavender Hill developments.

Reason: The disposal of long leases was required for these intermediate housing products offered by the Council, as the freeholder on its development schemes.

(Key decision – reference number 4271)

A report from the Director of Regeneration and Environment is attached. This seeks approval to award a new contract. (Report No.228, agenda part two also refers) (Key decision – reference number 4248)

(Report No.225)

(8.30 – 8.35 pm)

Councillor Yasemin Brett (Cabinet Member for Community Organisations and Culture) introduced the report of the Director of Regeneration and Environment (No.225) seeking approval to award a new contract to the 31 March 2019 as detailed in the report.

NOTED

1.               That Report No.228 also referred as detailed in Minute No.19 below.

2.               That the new contract would provide 16 police officers to form both a Safer Estates team (10 officers) and a tasking team (6 officers) to replace the existing parks and estates police community support officers provided by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) under a previous contract agreement. Members noted that the responsibility for policing was with the Metropolitan Police Service and that this represented an additional resource, funded by the Council to supplement the allocation of police officers by MOPAC to the Borough.

3.               That the Safer Estates Team (10 officers) would continue to be funded by the Housing Revenue Account (HRA). The remaining 6 officers would form a tasking team to be used to tackle other key issues for the local authority, to be funded from the General Fund. For every police officer “purchased” by the local authority, MOPAC would provide an additional officer free of charge, as detailed in the report.

4.               Councillor Brett highlighted the demographic and crime profile of the Borough and stated that the Council would continue to lobby for sufficient police resources within the Borough.

5.               Councillor Oykener outlined the level of crime on the Council’s housing estates and the negative impact on the Borough’s residents. It was hoped that the officers employed through this new contract would have a positive impact on reducing and tackling such instances of crime.

6.               In response to questions raised by Members, Ian Davis (Director – Regeneration and Environment) explained the terms of contract payment, which was based on delivery of service provided within the Borough.

7.               The reasons for the recommendations as set out in section 5 of the report. The tasking team (6 officers) would tackle key issues for the local authority, this would include work within the Borough’s parks and other problem areas/venues. The tasking team was over and above the Borough’s police establishment and would be used to target themed high priority areas. Members noted the partnership working that existed with all involved services/agencies in the Borough.

Alternative Options Considered: The Council could cease to provide any additional police officers or PCSOs as these were not statutory services. However, the Council was committed to improving community safety and had prioritised work in those areas of higher crime and disorder. Work had already begun to focus more strongly on deterring crime and anti-social behaviour one estates and the agreement for a council funded police enforcement team would ensure that improvements continued.

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed that

1.               The Council employ sixteen (16) police officers to support crime and disorder reduction work on housing estates and elsewhere. This would consist of a Safer Estates team (10 officers) and a tasking team  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

A report from the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services is attached. This seeks approval for the award of a contract. (Report No.229, agenda part two also refers) (Key decision – reference number 4253)

(Report No.226)

(8.35 – 8.40 pm)

James Rolfe (Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services) introduced his report (No.226) seeking approval to the award of a contract as detailed in the report.

NOTED

1.               That Report No.229 also referred as detailed in Minute No.20 below.

2.               That the merchant acquirer was the acquiring “bank” in the Council’s card payment chain, as detailed in section 3 of the report. Members noted the procurement process that had been followed as outlined in the report.

3.               In response to a question raised by Councillor Brett, James Rolfe provided reassurance with regard to the payment methods open to residents.

Alternative Options Considered: NOTED that the service was subject to EU procurement regulations. Therefore, the Council had been required to undertake an OJEU procurement exercise to award the new contract. There were no suitable OJEU compliant framework agreements available for use by the Council.

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed to

1.               Note that the contract would run for five (5) years with the option of two one (1) year extensions subject to the agreement of both parties and the satisfactory performance of the successful provider.

2.               Approve the appointment of Provider Z (as detailed in the part two report) as the Council’s provider of merchant acquiring services.

Reason: Provider Z (as detailed in the reports) had received the highest score of all three providers.

(Key decision – reference number 4253)

To note that there are no items to be considered at this meeting.

NOTED, that there were no items to be considered 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.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting of the Cabinet held on 15 March 2016.

AGREED, that the minutes of the previous meeting of the Cabinet held on 15 March 2016 be confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

To receive, for information, the minutes of a meeting of the Local Plan Cabinet Sub-Committee held on 3 March 2016.

NOTED, the minutes of a meeting of the Local Plan Cabinet Sub-Committee held on 3 March 2016.

To note that there are no written updates to be received at this meeting.

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

To note, that this is the last Cabinet meeting in the current municipal year. The next meeting of the Cabinet is provisionally scheduled to take place on Wednesday 18 May 2016, subject to agreement of the 2016/17 calendar of meetings.

NOTED, that this was the last Cabinet meeting in the current municipal year. The next meeting of the Cabinet was provisionally scheduled to take place on Wednesday 18 May 2016, subject to agreement of the 2016/17 calendar of meetings.

To consider passing a resolution under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 excluding the press and public from the meeting for the 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) Oder 2006).

(Members are asked to refer to the part two agenda)

RESOLVED, in accordance with Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the press and public from the meeting for the items listed on part 2 of the agenda on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt 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 for Information) (Variation) Order 2006).

A report from the Director of Regeneration and Environment is attached. This should be read in conjunction with Report No.224, agenda part one refers. (Key decision – reference number 4271)

(Report No.227)

(8.50 – 8.55 pm)

(This document contains exempt 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 Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended).

Councillor Ahmet Oykener (Cabinet Member for Housing and Housing Regeneration) introduced the report of the Director of Regeneration and Environment (No.227).

NOTED

1.               That Report No.224 also referred as detailed in Minute No.8 above.

2.               The detailed financial implications of the proposals as set out in the report.

3.               Councillor Oykener explained the terms of the disposals for both Dujardin Mews and the Small Sites projects together with the processes to be followed with regard to valuations.

Alternative Options Considered: As detailed in Report No.224, Minute No.7 above referred.

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed to approve the disposal of Dujardin and Small Sites financial implications.

Reason: As detailed in Report No.224, Minute No.7 above referred.

(Key decision – reference number 4271)

A report from the Director of Regeneration and Environment is attached. This should be read in conjunction with Report No.225, agenda part one refers. (Key decision – reference number 4248)

(Report No.228)

(8.55 – 9.00 pm)

(This document contains exempt 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 Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended).

Councillor Yasemin Brett (Cabinet Member for Community Organisations and Culture) introduced the report of the Director of Regeneration and Environment (No.228).

NOTED

1.               That Report No.225 also referred as detailed in Minute No.9 above.

2.               The financial details of the proposed contract as outlined in the report. Members noted that Safer Estates Team (10 officers) would be funded by the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) as the team would be providing a service on the Council’s housing estates.

Alternative Options Considered: As detailed in Report No.225, Minute No. 8 above referred.

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed to approve the new contract with MOPAC from 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2019 for the provision of sixteen (16) Police officers at the overall contract cost, as detailed in the report (for the three years). This would be funded by the HRA (Housing Revenue Account) (for the sum detailed in the report) for the safer estate team and the general fund (for the sum detailed in the report) for the tasking team (as detailed in paragraph 6.1 of the report).

Reason: As detailed in Report No.225, Minute No. 8 above referred.

(Key decision – reference number 4248)

A report from the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services is attached. This should be read in conjunction with Report No.226, agenda part one refers. (Key decision – reference number 4253)

(Report No.229)

(9.00 – 9.05 pm)

(This document contains exempt 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 Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended).

Councillor Andrew Stafford (Cabinet Member for Finance and Efficiency) introduced the report of the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services (No.229).

NOTED

1.               That Report No.226 also referred as detailed in Minute No.10 above.

2.               The procurement process which had been followed, the details of the bids which had been received and, the reasons for the recommended service provider, as set out in full in the report.

Alternative Options Considered: As detailed in Report No.226, Minute No.9 above referred.

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed the recommendation to approve the appointment of the provider (as detailed in the report) as the Council’s provider of merchant acquiring services for five (5) years with the option of two one (1) year extensions subject to satisfactory performance and the agreement of both parties.

Reason: The reasons for the recommendations were as set out in section 5 of the report.

(Key decision – reference number 4253)