Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Alev Cazimoglu, Gina Needs, Chinelo Anyanwu, Mustafa Cetinkaya, Ayten Guzel and Chris James.

Apologies for lateness were received from Councillor Ahmet Hasan.

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.

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 confirm the minutes of the previous Cabinet meeting held on 14 September 2022.

AGREED that the minutes of the previous meeting of the Cabinet held on 14 September 2022 be confirmed as a correct record.

A report from the Executive Director of People is attached.  (Non Key)

Councillor Abdul Abdullahi (Cabinet Member for Children’s Services) introduced the report of the Executive Director People presenting the report of the Safeguarding Partnership’s activity to protect adults and children in 2021-22, and priorities of the partnership for 2022-23. Pressures and challenges were highlighted; but important progress had been made. Thanks were recorded on behalf of the Cabinet to the Independent Chair of the Safeguarding Adults Board and Scrutineer of the Safeguarding Children’s Partnership, Geraldine Gavin.

DECISION:  The Cabinet agreed to:

1.  Note the key safeguarding risks facing vulnerable residents and the initiatives being carried out to prevent and tackle those issues.

2.  Note the successes and challenges that have risen from safeguarding activity in the period 2021-22.

3.  Commend the Safeguarding Enfield Annual Report 2021-22 to Council.

(Non Key)

A report from the Executive Director of People is attached.  (Non Key)

Councillor Abdul Abdullahi (Cabinet Member for Children’s Services) introduced the report of the Executive Director People presenting the Corporate Parenting Board governance arrangements and activities in 2021-22, overview of the Board’s responsibilities, and updates on key priorities and the positive action taken.

DECISION:  The Cabinet agreed to:

1.  Note the importance of the corporate parenting role, and everyone’s responsibilities as corporate parents to looked after children and care leavers.

2.  Note the successes and challenges that had arisen from corporate parenting activities in the period 2021-22.

3.  Commend the Corporate Parenting Board Annual Report 2021-22 to Council.

(Non Key)

A report from the Executive Director of People is attached.  (Key decision – reference number 5462)

Councillor Nesil Caliskan (Leader of the Council) introduced the report of the Executive Director People setting out proposals in respect of the Section 75 funding agreement (2022-23) between London Borough of Enfield and the North Central London Integrated Care Board (NCL ICB).

DECISION:  The Cabinet agreed to:

1.  Note proposals for the pooling of funding under a Section 75 Agreement (2022-2023).

2.  Note and authorise the Council contribution to the Section 75 agreement of £33,147,300 as set out within para 37 of the report.

3.  Delegate final amendment and formal sign-off of the Section 75 Agreement between Enfield Council and NCL ICB to the Director of Health and Adult Social Care as the approved statutory DASS (Director of Adult Social Services), in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Health & Social Care.

4.  Delegate authority in respect of the in-year amendment of all schemes and funding arrangements within the Section 75 Agreement, in line with key decision thresholds, to the Director for Adult Social Care for Enfield Council which shall be subject to NCL ICB agreement, in alignment with government guidance published in 2019.

5.  Note the requirement for 6 months’ notice to be given, by each party for the variation of this agreement.

6.  Delegate authority to extend the Section 75 Agreement (2022-2023) beyond 2022-2023 (subject to adequate budgetary provision), until such time that subsequent agreements for 2023-2024 are agreed and authorised.

The report sets out the options considered, if any, and the reasons for the recommendation and the decision.

(Key decision – reference number 5462)

A report from the Executive Director of Place is attached.  (Key decision – reference number 5375)

Councillor Nesil Caliskan (Leader of the Council) introduced the report of the Executive Director Place (Acting), seeking agreement to the publication of the draft Meridian Water Western Bank Supplementary Planning Document (MWWB SPD) for public consultation under Regulation 13 of the Town & Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 as amended. A Supplementary Planning Document would provide detailed guidance and help coordinate development across the Western Bank area.

DECISION:  The Cabinet agreed to:

1.  Approve the draft MWWB SPD as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, for public consultation.

2.  Delegate authority to the Director of Planning and Growth to agree the timing of the public consultation and to make any necessary and appropriate minor editorial amendments to the draft MWWB SPD in consultation with the Director of Development prior to it going out to statutory public consultation.

3.  Note that following statutory public consultation, it is intended that the MWWB SPD will be brought back to Cabinet early 2023 for final approval.

The report sets out the options considered, if any, and the reasons for the recommendation and the decision.

(Key decision – reference number 5375)

A report from the Executive Director of Resources is attached.  (Non Key)

Councillor Ergin Erbil (Deputy Leader of the Council) introduced the report of the Executive Director Resources showing the Quarter 1 performance for 2022/23 (April 2022 – June 2022) and comparing it to the Council’s performance across the previous four quarters for a series of Key Performance Indicators, and highlighting service areas that are subject to additional scrutiny where performance has fallen short of target.

DECISION:  The Cabinet agreed to note, for information only, the progress being made towards delivering the key priority indicators for Enfield.

(Non Key)

A report from the Executive Director of Resources is attached.  (Key decision – reference number 5514)

Councillor Tim Leaver (Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement) introduced the report of the Executive Director Resources seeking approval to consult on a proposal to amend the existing Council Tax Support Scheme by introducing a banded scheme. Councillor Leaver withdrew the proposal set out in para 6 of the report in respect of an increase in the minimum Council Tax payment.

DECISION:  The Cabinet agreed to:

Consult on the proposal to amend Enfield’s 2023/24 Council Tax Support scheme by introducing an earned income banded scheme for households in receipt of Universal Credit.

The report sets out the options considered, if any, and the reasons for the recommendation and the decision.

(Key decision – reference number 5514)

A report from the Executive Director of Resources is attached.  (Key decision – reference number 5488)

Councillor Tim Leaver (Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement) introduced the report of the Executive Director Resources providing the annual update of the funding and spending assumptions in the Medium Term Financial Strategy, and bringing forward the first tranche of savings and income proposals to build a balanced budget for 2023/24. The pressures currently being experienced, particularly from high levels of inflation, were highlighted.

DECISION:  The Cabinet agreed to:

1.  Note the forecast preliminary budget gap of

- £40.1m in 2023/24, prior to further actions and clarity on central government funding

- £96.9m gap across the medium term to 2027/28, and the reasons driving the gap, notably inflation.

2.  Note the scale of the challenge and the need for the organisation to consider different ways of operating in order to remain financially self-sustainable in the long-term.

3.  Note the awaited consultation from Central Government on the local government funding regime for 2023/24 (and 2024/25 if a 2 year settlement consultation arrives as anticipated).

4.  Agree early savings and income proposals of £8.334m set out in Appendix 3 of the report, including

- £5.709m from efficiencies and demand management

- £2.625m from income generation

and to agree that these savings and income proposals should be delivered as soon as practically possible in the current financial year.

5.  Note the continued prioritisation of investment in Adult Social Care and Children’s Services required of £6.88m to meet demand and demographic pressures.

The report sets out the options considered, if any, and the reasons for the recommendation and the decision.

(Key decision – reference number 5488)

To note that the next meeting of the Cabinet is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 9 November 2022 at 7.00pm.

NOTED the next meeting of the Cabinet was scheduled to take place on Wednesday 9 November 2022 at 7:00pm.

A report from the Executive Director of People is attached.  (Key decision – reference number 5513)

(This item will contain 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.)

This agenda item was withdrawn and not considered at the meeting.

A resolution excluding the press and public from the meeting was not required.

Item 13 above also referred. This agenda item was withdrawn and not considered at the meeting.