Agenda for Cabinet on Wednesday, 16th February, 2022, 7.15 pm

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Conference Room, Civic Centre, Silver Street, Enfield, EN1 3XA. View directions

Contact: Email: Democracy@enfield.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

1.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Alev Cazimoglu and Katherine Chibah, and from Ian Davis, Chief Executive (represented by Fay Hammond, Acting Chief Executive), and Tony Theodoulou, Executive Director – People (represented by Anne Stoker, Director Children and Family Services).

 

Apologies for lateness were received from Councillor Ergin Erbil.

 

Terry Osborne was welcomed and introduced as Interim Director of Law and Governance.

2.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

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.

 

It was confirmed that there was no member in arrears on their council tax.

3.

DEPUTATIONS

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

Minutes:

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

4.

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 144 KB

To confirm the minutes of the previous Cabinet meeting held on 19 January 2022.

Minutes:

AGREED that the minutes of the previous meeting of the Cabinet held on 19 January 2022 be confirmed as a correct record.

5.

BUDGET REPORT 2022/23 AND MEDIUM-TERM FINANCIAL PLAN 2022/23 TO 2026/27 pdf icon PDF 2 MB

A report from the Executive Director Resources is attached.  (Key decision – reference number 5352)

Minutes:

Councillor Mary Maguire (Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement) introduced the report of the Executive Director Resources setting out the Revenue Budget and Council Tax for the 2022/23 financial year, and updating the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) in the light of those decisions.

 

NOTED

 

1.    This was a balanced and resilient net revenue budget of £259.825m for the coming financial year, a 0.18% decrease when compared with 2021/22. It contained additional investment in priority services.

2.    Residents were facing raised costs of living currently and the Council was doing what it could to help and recommending a freeze on core Council Tax.

3.    The national context, inflationary pressures, and local demographic pressures in demand-led services were highlighted.

4.    Grant funding was detailed. No further resources to help manage the cost pressures arising from Covid-19 were expected beyond this year.

5.    Table 18 in the report gave a summary of forecast reserves.

6.    The report also contained information in respect of the Dedicated Schools Grant and of review of fees and charges.

7.    The budget enabled delivery on the commitments made in the Fairer Enfield Policy 2021.

8.    Budget engagement had been open until 11 February and detailed analysis would be reported to Council.

9.    Attention was drawn to the statement of the Council’s Section 151 Officer on the robustness of budget estimates and adequacy of the reserves.

10. Councillor Barnes raised the green and climate action aspects of the budget, with investment in programmes to deliver reductions in carbon emissions and improve resilience to climate change.

11. Councillor Uddin provided an update in respect of children’s services, confirming an increase in resources to meet increased demand. Adults’ social care was similarly noted as demand-led and facing a high amount of pressure.

12. The support of the Executive Director – Resources as Section 151 Officer, having undertaken a review, that the budget was resilient and robust and the level of reserves appropriate to meet risks.

13. The Chair’s comments on the administration’s approach that budget setting should be resilient and fair, with investment for future generations, and protection of the most vulnerable residents. There would be investment in services which residents valued.

14. Everyone involved in the budget process, particularly officers in Resources and Cabinet members, were thanked for their hard work.

 

Alternative Options Considered:

 

The Council operates a budget planning and consultation process during which a wide range of options are considered in detail before recommendations are made. Issues raised and discussed have greatly contributed to the report including information from the Budget Engagement exercise set out in the report. As part of its planning for both 2022/23 and future years the Council has considered future levels of Council Tax.

 

DECISION:  The Cabinet agreed to:

 

1.    Note that

i. The budget is in a balanced position for 2022/23, however, this has required the one off use of reserves of £2.000m.

ii. The total costs of Covid-19 in 2022/23 are estimated to be £6.339m; this will be funded  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2022/23 TO 2031/32 pdf icon PDF 1 MB

A report from the Executive Director Resources is attached.  (Key decision -  reference number 5353)

Minutes:

Councillor Mary Maguire (Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement) introduced the report of the Executive Director Resources setting out the Ten Year Capital Programme 2022/23 to 2031/32.

 

NOTED

 

1.    The programme was based on the Capital Strategy approved by Council on 22 September 2021, supporting the delivery of the Council’s corporate objectives.

2.    The ten year cycle improved strategic planning with greater transparency and alignment with the Treasury Management Strategy and MTFP.

3.    The investment plans were summarised, in particular for housebuilding.

4.    The overall programme had decreased by £92.2m from last years. Key reductions in the programme were reported, including the requirement for Joyce & Snells.

5.    The Capital Programme financing was set out in Chart 2 in the report. Borrowing was regulated by the Prudential Code. Debt was kept to an affordable level, and within the Council’s self-imposed borrowing cap.

6.    The Development and Infrastructure Financial Framework (DIFF) was developed to strengthen the approval of new capital projects and improve data.

7.    An overview of the programme was provided in Table 1, and the funding summary in Table 2.

8.    Information on debt charges and on grants and contributions was also included in the report.

9.    Section 106 (s106) and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) income was highlighted.

10. The Chair raised the progress on the Meridian Water project, to which much of the borrowing was related, and the commitment to Joyce & Snells. Detailed analysis of the Capital Programme was included in appendices to the report.

11. Councillor Barnes raised the Dugdale refurbishment, and engagement with stakeholders in coming weeks on proposals.

12. The Executive Director Place noted the approach to allocation of s106 and CIL funding in the capital programme, which is in line with previous Cabinet decisions and enables contributions from development to be reinvested in the borough’s community facilities and infrastructure.

 

Alternative Options Considered:

 

1.    The Ten year capital programme and overarching capital strategy have been developed using the DIFF Financial Framework which guarantees fair and consistent consideration of all options available for the deployment of limited resources in the achievement of stated objectives.

2.    A complete and robust consideration of all options has therefore been embedded in the development and refresh of the capital programme with input from a multi-disciplinary Capital Finance Board.

 

DECISION:  Cabinet agreed to recommend to Council to:

 

Approve the 2022/23 Capital Programme and to note the 2023/24 to 2031/32 Ten Year Capital Programme as set out in Appendix 3 of the report.

 

Reason:

 

1.    The Capital Programme establishes the budget framework and financial approvals for a wide variety of Council projects directed by the Corporate plan. The projects improve residents’ lives by building homes and schools, improving streets and infrastructure, and creating modern workspaces for local businesses.

2.    Over the coming ten years the proposed investment includes £852m for Meridian Water with construction work now underway on one site and construction to taking place across multiple sites from 2022/23; £1,100m for the Housing Revenue Account including delivering 3,500 new homes  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

HRA BUDGET 2022/23, RENT SETTING AND BUSINESS PLAN UPDATE pdf icon PDF 807 KB

A report from the Executive Director Resources is attached.  (Key decision – reference number 5354)

Minutes:

Councillor Gina Needs (Cabinet Member for Social Housing) introduced the report of the Executive Director Place and Executive Director Resources setting out the proposed Housing Revenue Account (HRA) 30-Year Business Plan, the detailed HRA Revenue Budget for 2022/23, the ten-year Capital Programme and Right to Buy (RTB) One for One Receipts programme.

 

NOTED

 

1.    The proposed rent charges for HRA properties 2022/23 were set out, with a 4.1% increase, following the Government’s Social Housing Rent Standard.

2.    The proposed tenants service charges were set out in para 30 to 33 of the report, increased in line with the costs of providing the services.

3.    In respect of heating charges, further work would continue with the energy provider.

4.    Garage charges and HRA community hall charges would increase in line with inflation.

5.    The Customer Voice group of residents were understanding of the need to make increases.

6.    This was a fair and robust budget.

7.    The Chair welcomed the investments in respect of fire safety and demonstration of the Council’s commitment. The GLA grant also showed that the local authority was a trusted delivery partner.

8.    In response to Councillor Barnes’ queries regarding flytipping, recent penalties were noted, and that the majority of flytipping was not from estate residents.

 

Alternative Options Considered:

 

Not applicable.

 

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed to:

 

1.    Recommend to Council to approve the HRA 30-Year Business Plan shown in Appendix 1 of the report.

2.    Recommend to Council to approve the detailed HRA Revenue Budget for 2022/23 as shown in paragraph 77.

3.    Recommend to Council to approve the 10-year HRA Capital Programme of £1,121m and borrowing requirements to deliver 3,500 council led homes.

4.    Recommend to Council a rent increase of 4.1% (CPI + 1%) in line with Government guidelines noting the social and affordable rent levels for circa 10,484 HRA properties in 2022/23.

5.    Recommend to Council to approve the level of service charges for 2022/23 for those tenants and leaseholders receiving eligible services.

6.    Recommend to Council to approve the charges for garages and parking bay rents as set out in paragraph 64.

7.    Recommend to Council to approve the charges for community hall hire, including a deposit system, and delegate authority to the Director of Housing and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member of Social Housing to review and implement a new policy with a view to a more flexible charging system in appropriate circumstances.

8.    Approve entering into the GLA grant agreement as part of the Affordable Housing Programme 21/26 and acceptance of the successful GLA grant bid of £166.5m and for starts from 2023 to 2028.

9.    Note the heating charges for 2022/23 for those properties on communal heating systems (both electric and gas), including a mid-year review to understand the impact of the energy contract renewal which will apply from September.

10. Approve the establishment of 4 posts in the 2022/23 revenue budget to support the Building Safety requirements of our high-rise blocks. To note the Housing Team  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

TREASURY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY 2022/23 pdf icon PDF 484 KB

A report from the Executive Director Resources is attached.  (Key decision – reference number 5355)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Mary Maguire (Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement) introduced the report of the Executive Director Resources setting out the Council’s proposed Treasury Management Strategy Statement (TMSS) for the period 2022/23 to 2031/32, and Annual Investment Strategy (AIS) for the year ended 31 March 2023, together with supporting information.

 

NOTED

 

1.    The Treasury Management Strategy Statement (TMSS) for 2022/23 was attached as Annex 1 to the report. Within it were also interest rate forecasts.

2.    The Council’s strategy was set out in respect of ensuring that capital investment plans were prudent, affordable and sustainable, that cash flow was properly planned, and that cash balances were appropriately invested to generate optimum returns. It linked to the Ten Year Capital Programme and the Council’s plans for the borough.

3.    The CIPFA Treasury Management Code of Practice and CIPFA Prudential Code for Capital Finance set out requirements for local authorities’ capital investment plans. It was confirmed that Enfield Council did not borrow to invest ‘primarily for financial return’.

4.    Publication of the TM Guidance Notes for Local Authorities was awaited with details of the TM prudential indicators.

5.    Enfield Council’s funding came from a variety of sources, including external borrowing, and other funding opportunities continued to be sought.

6.    The Chair noted that the TMSS helped with management of investments and borrowing, long term vision, and support for good decision making, and that there was independent scrutiny and advice from professional advisers. It was updated annually.

7.    The Executive Director Resources confirmation that there was independent assurance that the Council’s plans were compliant and prudent. She confirmed that the Council would limit itself to a borrowing cap and in practice maintain a gap below it.

 

Alternative Options Considered:

 

The CIPFA TM code require that the Council establishes arrangements for monitoring its investments and borrowing activities hence the performance and activities of the Council’s treasury operations is being reported to this Committee on a regular basis.

 

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed to:

 

1.    Review the Draft Treasury Management Strategy and consider the five areas below:

i.  Agree the Treasury Management Strategy Statement for 2022/23 and to note the Ten Year Treasury Strategy forecast;

ii.  Note the Economic context & Interest rate forecast (Appendices A and B);

iii.  Agree the Prudential Indicators set out in Appendix D;

iv.  Agree the Minimum Revenue Provision Statement (Appendix E); and

v.  Agree Counterparty List and Limits set out in Appendix F.

2.    Recommend Council to approve the Strategy.

3.    Note General Purposes Committee will review the Treasury Management Practices annually and to receive quarterly Treasury Management monitoring reports.

 

Reason:

 

1.    The Treasury Management Strategy fulfils the Council’s legal obligation under the Local Government Act 2003 to have regard to both the Treasury Management Code and the MHCLG Guidance.

2.    The Council has borrowed and invested substantial sums of money and is therefore exposed to financial risks including the loss of invested funds and the revenue effect of changing interest rates. The successful identification, monitoring and control of risk are  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

TENANCY STRATEGY pdf icon PDF 243 KB

A report from the Executive Director Place is attached. (Key decision – reference number 5268)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Gina Needs (Cabinet Member for Social Housing) introduced the report of the Executive Director Place seeking approval of a new Tenancy Strategy 2022-2025.

 

NOTED

 

1.    The new strategy would replace the previous Tenancy Strategy 2018-2020.

2.    The strategy had four objectives: that residents had a clear understanding of their tenancy; that lifetime tenancies were the preferred option; that residents were able to stay in their home for as long as it remained suitable for them; and if a tenancy ends, residents were supported to avoid homelessness.

3.    The Council would trial the introduction of fixed term tenancies, of a minimum of 10 years, on homes of four or more bedrooms and specially adapted properties, as there were people in real need of such properties.

4.    Registered providers were required to review their own Tenancy Policies within nine months in accordance with the strategy. There had been discussions with registered providers.

5.    In response to Members’ questions, it was confirmed that residents would be able to stay in their homes if it was the size and adaptation they needed, and for those whose need changed they would be supported to make informed choices. It was also confirmed there would be some changes to the Housing Team officer structure and improved contact with tenants.

 

Alternative Options Considered:

 

The previous Tenancy Strategy focused solely on matters to which registered social housing providers are to regard in formulating their policies on tenancies as listed in the Localism Act 2011, but did not also include good practice for all landlords in the borough. This approach was also initially considered when reviewing and drafting this strategy. However, the inclusion in the strategy of good practice for all landlords reflects the Council’s role in improving housing outcomes for all residents, including those living in the private rented sector.

 

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed to:

 

1.    Approve the new Tenancy Strategy.

2.    Agree to update the Council Housing Tenancy Policy, within nine months, in accordance with the new Strategy.

 

Reason:

 

1.    The new Tenancy Strategy 2022-2025 will replace the previous Tenancy Strategy 2018 – 2020 and meet our requirement under the Localism Act 2011 to review and produce a strategy that sets out the matters to which Registered Housing Providers are to regard in formulating their policies on tenancies.

2.    The new strategy reflects how we intend to use our formal powers and influencing role to set high standards for tenancies in the Borough so that Enfield residents live as healthily, safely, and independently as possible. It sets out requirements regarding lifetime tenancies for social housing and also recommends good practice for private landlords and letting agents in regard to the tenancy agreements they use.

 

(Key decision – reference number 5268)

10.

SUSTAINABLE AND ETHICAL PROCUREMENT POLICY pdf icon PDF 152 KB

A report from the Executive Director Resources is attached.  (Key decision – reference number 5291)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Mary Maguire (Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement) introduced the report of the Executive Director Resources presenting the new Sustainable and Ethical Procurement Policy 2022-26 for approval by Cabinet.

 

NOTED

 

1.    The policy reflected the Council’s priorities, and focused on four priority areas: social value; ethical practices; supporting the local economy and local employment; and climate action.

2.    The Council as a major purchaser of goods, services and works could use that power to enhance standards and lead the way.

3.    There would be clear expectations for officers carrying out procurements.

4.    The Council was committed to working towards the UNISON ethical care charter.

5.    The policy had benefitted from extensive engagement, and there had been enthusiasm from suppliers.

6.    In time, the preferred standards should be the minimum required.

7.    In response to Members’ queries, further assurance was given in respect of commitment to climate action and minimising carbon emissions and negative environmental impacts. It was also confirmed that staff directly employed by the Council were paid the London Living Wage or above, and that there was an ambition to only work with organisations who pay the London/Real Living Wage as soon as possible. The local authority should encourage local micro and small businesses, often run by those with BAME backgrounds, to engage in procurement with the Council.

8.    The Chair welcomed the commitments on behalf of Cabinet.

 

Alternative Options Considered:

 

The alternative option considered was to refresh the existing Sustainable Procurement Policy. However, with a new Council Plan, Fairer Enfield Policy, Modern Slavery Strategy and Climate Action Plan, it was considered timely and important for the Council to also make a commitment to ethical procurement and develop a new policy to reflect this.

 

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed:

 

1.    The new Sustainable and Ethical Procurement Policy is agreed and adopted by Cabinet.

2.    To delegate to the Executive Director of Resources, in consultation with the portfolio holder for Finance & Procurement, authority to manage and update the policy as part of the annual review.

 

Reason:

 

1.    The new Sustainable and Ethical Procurement Policy 2022-2026 replaces our previous Sustainable Procurement Policy 2015-19. The new policy reflects refreshed organisational priorities as set out in our Council Plan 2020-22, Fairer Enfield Policy, Climate Action Plan and Modern Slavery Strategy.

2.    The Council spends approximately £400m per year procuring goods, works and services. It is important that the Council leverages its purchasing power to secure and deliver wider benefits for the borough and its residents and ensure that the Council works with partners who uphold its values and standards.

3.    The COVID-19 crisis has had a huge impact on Enfield’s communities and placed significant pressure on Enfield’s local economy and on the Council’s budget, further highlighting the need to make the best use of resources to deliver wider benefits for the borough.

 

(Key decision – reference number 5291)

11.

CABINET AGENDA PLANNING - FUTURE ITEMS pdf icon PDF 78 KB

Attached for information is a provisional list of items scheduled for future Cabinet meetings.

Minutes:

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

12.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

To note that the next meeting of the Cabinet is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 9 March 2022 at 7.15pm.

Minutes:

NOTED the next scheduled meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday 9 March 2022.