Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

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 12 October 2022.

AGREED that the minutes of the previous meeting of the Cabinet held on 12 October 2022 be confirmed as a correct record.

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

Councillor Alev Cazimoglu (Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care) introduced the report of the Executive Director People updating the previous strategy. LB Enfield endorsed a safeguarding approach to modern slavery; and was leading the way as a local authority in tackling this crime and supporting survivors. Thanks was expressed specifically to Sharon Burgess and Fiana Centala for their work. The recent statement of the Minister of State for Immigration was also raised: that potential victims of modern slavery would be provided with a minimum 30-day recovery period rather than 45-day, effective immediately from 13 December.

DECISION:  The Cabinet agreed to note the report and the work undertaken and refer the report to Council for noting.

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

(Non Key)

A report from the Executive Director of Place is attached.  (Key decision – reference number 5549)

Councillor Nesil Caliskan (Leader of the Council) introduced the report of the Executive Director Place seeking approval for the draft spending priorities for the strategic portion of the Enfield Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). The proposed changes to the four current spending priorities were set out in the report.

DECISION:  The Cabinet agreed:

1.  To approve the changes to the current four Strategic spending priorities published in the Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS) 20/21 (see Appendix 01 of the report) that apply to the Strategic CIL portion of the Enfield Community Infrastructure Levy.

2.  To approve the draft spending priorities set out below which will guide future allocations and spend of the Strategic portion of the Enfield Community Infrastructure Levy:

a) Investment in green and blue infrastructure across the borough.

b) Investment in health, sport and leisure infrastructure across the borough.

c) Investment in public realm and environmental improvements across the borough, but especially in areas of regeneration and locations of commercial and industrial activity.

d) Upgrades to the cultural and community facilities across the borough.

e) Investment in sustainable transport infrastructure across the borough.

f) Investment in education facilities to support skills development and job training.

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

(Key decision – reference number 5549)

A report from the Executive Director of Resources / Executive Director of Place is attached.  (Key decision – reference number 5498)

Councillor George Savva (Cabinet Member for Social Housing) introduced the report of the Executive Director Place providing an update on the current forecast outturn position of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA). The pressures against the budget, particularly in relation to energy price inflation, were highlighted; and the need to make progress on major work programmes.

DECISION:  The Cabinet agreed to note the Quarter 2 HRA forecast outturn position for 2022/23 for both revenue and capital.

(Key decision – reference number 5498)

A report from the Executive Director of Resources / Executive Director of Place is attached.  (Key decision – reference number 5499)

Councillor George Savva (Cabinet Member for Social Housing) introduced the report of the Executive Director Place reviewing the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan to ensure the strategic priorities of the service are met. The effects of inflationary pressures were highlighted, particularly on the building programme, and in increased homelessness pressures. All London boroughs were similarly affected and the GLA was pressing for better funding arrangements to sustain housing delivery.

DECISION:  The Cabinet agreed to:

Approve:

1.  The revised development programme and hurdle rates for schemes.

2.  The next five years Right to Buy programme expenditure of £94.1m.

3.  The acquisitions programme and delegate authority to the Director of Housing and Regeneration for each purchase within the agreed financial parameters outlined in the report and in consultation with the Director of Finance (Capital).

Note:

4.  The revised 10-year HRA Capital Programme budget for investment in existing council homes.

5.  The updated HRA Business Plan and financial assumptions on which we will ensure an affordable and viable 30-year plan.

6.  The HRA borrowing requirement of £304m over the next 10 years.

7.  The social housing rent increase was agreed at the Autumn Budget. Rents, subject to approval, will increase by 7% in 2023-24, in line with Government’s imposed rent cap. Approval will come forward as part of the HRA rent setting report recommended to Council on 8th February 2023.

8.  The proposed increase in rent charged on shared ownership properties from 2.75% to 3%, approval will come forward as part of the HRA rent setting report recommended to Council on 8th February 2023.

9.  The designation of some sheltered housing blocks and the corresponding impact on service charges.

10.  The increase in borrowing interest rates and long-term assumption taken in the Business Plan, and impact to the HRA business plan.

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

(Key decision – reference number 5499)

A report from the Executive Director of Resources is attached.  (Key decision – reference number 5490)

Councillor Tim Leaver (Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement) introduced the report of the Executive Director Resources setting out the forecast outturn position, explaining how the Council’s income and expenditure compares to the original budgeted position for 2022/23, based on forecasts as at the end of August 2022. The report also provided the forecasted outturn for the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG). The impacts of key areas of pressure were highlighted, and that maintaining financial prudence remained a key aim for the authority. Officers confirmed that no additional funding had been released this financial year, and that Cabinet would receive a Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) update in January.

DECISION:  The Cabinet agreed to:

1.  Note:

a. The 2022/23 financial year the General Fund revenue forecast outturn position of £16.7m adverse variance, arising in the main from demographic and cost pressures exceeding the £22m budgeted growth and unanticipated inflationary increases across pay and energy.

b. Financial resilience remains a key priority for the Council and an in-year budget savings and cost control strategy is in place to protect the Council’s reserve levels.

c. The potential drawdown on reserves and the impact this has on the forecast level of reserves. The £3m contingency will be required to achieve the General Fund forecast outturn and the planned drawdown from reserves of £2m will also be required.

d. The Covid-19 impact on the General Fund of £9.1m which will be funded from the Council specific Covid-19 earmarked reserve.

e. The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) revenue overspend of £2.1m, which is reflected in the balance sheet.

2.  Require Executive Directors continue to work with Cabinet Members to robustly manage the underlying budget position, implement in year savings and further cost control measures deemed appropriate to the challenge faced, whilst managing, mitigating, and minimising the Covid-19 financial impact.

3.  Note the potential forecast level of reserves and implications for 2022/23 and challenging financial position over the life of the MTFP.

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

(Key decision – reference number 5490)

A report from the Executive Director of Resources is attached.  (Key decision – reference number 5497)

Councillor Tim Leaver (Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement) introduced the report of the Executive Director Resources providing an update on the forecast capital spend for 2022/23, taking into account the latest information available for all capital schemes including funding. Projects are in the process of being reviewed. Assurance was provided to Members of delivery of the capital programme; and that a Regeneration Board had been introduced and different ways of delivering could be used. It was noted that a considerable proportion of underspend was linked to spend of HIF infrastructure funding at Meridian Water.

DECISION:  The Cabinet agreed to note the 2022/23 forecast spend of £302.8m against a budget of £486.4m, which is a forecast variance to budget of 38% across the programme. This reflects strategic and fiscally responsible decisions taken by the Council to manage delivery of its capital programme in response to inflationary pressures, increases in the cost of borrowing and current market conditions, as described in the report.

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

(Key decision – reference number 5497)

A report from the Executive Director of Resources is attached.  (Key decision – reference number 5496)

Councillor Tim Leaver (Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement) introduced the report of the Executive Director Resources reviewing the activities of the Council’s Treasury Management function over the half year period ended 30 September 2022. Assurance was provided that the Council was well funded, and that the activities would continue to be reviewed.

DECISION:  The Cabinet agreed to:

1.  Note the contents of the report.

2.  Recommend the report to proceed to Council.

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

(Key decision – reference number 5496)

To note that the next meeting of the Cabinet is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 18 January 2023 at 7.00pm.

NOTED the next meeting of the Cabinet was scheduled to take place on Wednesday 18 January 2023 at 7:00pm.

The Leader took the opportunity to thank Cabinet Members for their work this year, to thank officers on behalf of the Cabinet for all their hard work, and to wish everyone a happy festive period.