Agenda and minutes

Councillor Doug Taylor (Leader of the Council) apologised for the delay in the start of the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Alev Cazimoglu (Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care) and Councillor 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.

Councillor Achilleas Georgiou (Deputy Leader) declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in Report Nos. 42 and 43 – Meridian Water: Station Update and Budget (Minute Nos. 7 and 14 below refer). Councillor Georgiou left the meeting for these items and took no part in the discussion.  

The Chair 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 with the exception of the following reports:

1.               Report No.41 – Budget 2018/19: Tranche One Savings (Minute No.6 below refers)

2.               Report Nos.42 and 43 – Meridian Water: Station Update and Budget (Minute Nos.7 and 14 below refers)

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

AGREED, that the above reports be considered at this meeting.

Traveller Encampments in the Borough

Gary Barnes (Interim Director of Regeneration and Environment) updated Members on the current situation with regard to Traveller Encampments in the Borough. Members were advised of the number of encampments that had been set up to date, the actions that had been taken and the costs incurred.

The legal action that had been taken by the Council was explained in detail to the Members. An Injunction Order had been obtained for all 130 parks and open spaces in the Borough. The Council had taken all legal action possible; the injunction could not cover commercial or private ground.

A report would be presented to the Cabinet in due course considering future options for the Borough in moving forward with this issue.

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 be agreed at the Cabinet meeting, following the circulation of the reports listed on the agenda.

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

A report from the Executive Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services will be circulated as soon as possible. (Key decision – reference number 4528)

(Report No.41)

(7.05 pm – 7.20 pm)

TO FOLLOW

Councillor Doug Taylor (Leader of the Council) introduced the report of the Executive Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services (No.41) setting out an update on the progress of the 2017/18 savings work streams, including proposals for a first tranche of savings for 2018/19 and beyond.

NOTED

1.               That a progress report and update on the first tranche of savings proposals was detailed in Appendix 1 of the report.

2.               Councillor Taylor drew Members’ attention to point 7.2 of appendix 1 to the report – Joint Service for Disabled Children: 10% reduction of short breaks grants, which stated that a review of how short breaks were delivered was to be conducted in order to achieve efficiencies without having an adverse effect on the local offer and support services to disabled children in the borough. It proposed savings of £45k in both 2018/19 and 2019/20. Councillor Taylor sought clarification and assurance on the proposed savings and questioned how there would be no adverse effect.

3.               Tony Theodoulou (Executive Director of Children’s Services) explained that the savings in the first year would be achieved through a reduction in one short break co-ordinator post. More families were now arranging their own short breaks through their personal budget allocations so the need for such co-ordinators had reduced, one post would be remaining. Tony Theodoulou further explained the comprehensive care packages that were supported and how efficiencies could be made. The Council worked closely with the groups and families involved.

4.               In response to a question raised by Councillor Brett, Tony Theodoulou outlined the access that parents had to the “local offer” through the Council’s commissioning framework, and the information provided to families. It was noted that good partnership working was well-established with all involved. Families were still able to access the short breaks directly. Following further discussion, it was agreed to remove the savings figures for 2019/20 for the time-being. Further discussion and explanation would be provided on the proposed efficiency savings for Tranche 2, for consideration at a future Cabinet meeting.

Alternative Options Considered: The Medium Term Financial Plan would be updated for the latest Governance spending plans.

DECISION: The Cabinet

1.               Noted the progress made in preparation of the 2018/19 budget.

2.               Agreed the first tranche of savings proposals for 2018/19 and beyond as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, with the exception of point 7.2 – Joint Service for Disabled Children: 10% reduction of short breaks grants, with regard to the projected savings for 2019/20. With this exception, the proposed savings would be included in the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for 2018/19 and future years.

Reason: Cabinet needed to manage the 2018/19 financial planning process having regard to constraints in public spending.

(Key decision – reference number 4528)

A report from the Executive Director of Regeneration and Environment will be circulated as soon as possible. (Report No.43, agenda part two also refers). (Key decision – reference number 4470)

(Report No.42)

(7.20 pm – 7.35 pm)

TO FOLLOW

Councillor Achilleas Georgiou (Deputy Leader) left the meeting for this item, Minute No.2 above refers.

Councillor Alan Sitkin (Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Business Development) introduced the report of the Executive Director of Regeneration and Environment (No.42) seeking approval to the allocation of funding from the existing Neighbourhood Regeneration Capital Programme and to enter into further agreements with Network Rail to ensure the delivery of the new Rail Infrastructure at Meridian Water.

NOTED

1.               That Report No.43 also referred as detailed in Minute No.14 below.

2.               The new rail infrastructure, as set out in the report, was crucial to deliver the Meridian Water Regeneration Scheme unlocking the potential for 10,000 homes and 6,700 jobs in the area.

3.               Members’ attention was drawn to the funding implications and risks as detailed in the report (Report No.43 also referred), and were advised of the ongoing discussions with Network Rail in the proposals going forward.

4.               Councillor Brett expressed her thanks to officers for the considerable work which had been undertaken to date and acknowledged the value that the new station would have for the Borough.

Alternative Options Considered: Do nothing. This would fail to achieve the objectives set out for delivery of Meridian Water, and lose the significant economic, social and environmental benefits set out with the Meridian Water Masterplan.

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed to

1.               Approve additional funding from the Neighbourhood Regeneration Capital Programme to deliver the new Rail Infrastructure for Meridian Water (Report No.43, Minute No.14 below, set out the full financial details and legal agreement).

2.               Authorise entering into further Implementation Agreement and subsequent variations within the approved budget (Report No.43 set out the financial details, as referred to in Minute No.14 below).

3.               Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Regeneration and Environment to enter in to agreements relating to the maintenance and operation of the station (Report No.43 set out the financial details, as referred to in Minute No.14 below).

4.               Authorise entering into a pre-contract arrangement with Barratt (Planning Services Agreement) to develop design and progress towards the submission of reserved matter for the Zone 1 planning application (Report No.43 set out the financial details, as referred to in Minute No.14 below).

Reason: The Meridian Water station added a new station to the TfL tube and rail map, so quite literally puts Meridian Water on the map. The existing station at Angel Road was inaccessible, intimidating, cut off from Meridian Water and far from the Council’s aspiration for a new neighbourhood at Meridian Water station. The new station overcomes all of the limitations of the existing station whilst providing an enhanced customer experience as well as being Crossrail 2 ready. The entry into of the Planning Services Agreement with Barratt, ahead of the entry into the Master Development Framework Agreement (MDFA), was to ensure that the planning delivery of homes was not further delayed so that work on Reserved Matter approvals could proceed in advance of the final approval of the MDFA.

(Key decision –  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

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 13 July 2017.

(TO FOLLOW)

AGREED, that the minutes of the previous meeting of the Cabinet held on 13 July 2017 be confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

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

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

To note that the next meeting of the Cabinet is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 13 September 2017 at 8.15pm.

NOTED, that the next meeting of the Cabinet was scheduled to take place on Wednesday 13 September 2017 at 8.15pm.

To consider passing a resolution under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972 excluding 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 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)

RESOLVED, in accordance with Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the press and public from the meeting for the item listed on part two of the agenda on the grounds that it involves 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 to Information) (Variation) Order 2006).

A report from the Executive Director of Regeneration and Environment will be circulated as soon as possible. This should be read in consultation with Report No.42, agenda part one refers. (Key decision – reference number 4470)

(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)

(Report No.43)

TO FOLLOW

Councillor Taylor varied the order of the agenda to enable Members to consider this report immediately following their consideration of the part one report, Report No.42, Minute No.7 above refers. The minutes reflect the order of the published agenda. Councillor Georgiou had declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in this report and was not present for the consideration of this item, Minute No.2 above refers.

Councillor Dino Lemonides (Cabinet Member for Finance and Efficiency) introduced the report of the Executive Director of Regeneration and Environment (No.43).

NOTED

1.               That Report No.42 also referred as detailed in Minute No.7 above.

2.               That the new railway infrastructure was essential for the Meridian Water development. The report set out in detail the requirements of the Meridian Water station and how the cost was to be funded. The Council had worked closely with Network Rail to develop an enhanced station design. The key objectives were (1) the essential connectivity of a 24/7 publicly accessible stairs and lifts over the railway line, (2) clearly raising the design quality of the station to align it with the ambition of Meridian Water and (3) compliant with the requirements of a Crossrail 2 to ensure the development was ready for future rail ambition avoiding expensive changes to the station in the future.

3.               Councillor Lemonides outlined in detail the cost of the proposals and the breakdown of the various funding sources, as set out in the report. The cost to be met by the Council was explained to Members.

4.               The alternative options considered and key risks were highlighted for Members’ consideration. The potential of future cost recovery and land values were discussed. The information contained in the appendices to the report including opinions on Station Land Values and Assumptions were noted.

5.               The potential future public realm maintenance obligations as set out in the report.

6.               The significance of the station proposals for the overall Meridian Water development was noted.

7.               Councillor Oykener welcomed the proposals and the positive effect that this would have on the ability of the housing development within the Meridian Water project to move forward. Councillor Oykener reiterated that this was a long-term project that would require many difficult decisions. It was noted that there would be a number of changing factors over a significant period of time and, that it would be important to ensure that effective scrutiny was put in place on the progress of the project and, to ensure that Members were kept fully up-to-date on all related issues.

8.               Councillors Sitkin and Oykener assured Members that regular open and transparent discussions were proposed with Members, including Scrutiny and Opposition Members. It was noted that there was an aspiration for the Meridian Water Contract Close to come to Cabinet for decision in the near future. Extensive and comprehensive negotiations were continuing to take place.

9.               Councillor Taylor requested that a standing part two item be included on all future Cabinet agendas for a Meridian Water Progress Update. This would ensure that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.