Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Ergin Erbil and Cllr Chinelo Anyanwu.

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 December 2022.

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

A report from the Chief Executive is attached.  (Non key)

Cllr Nesil Caliskan (Leader of the Council) introduced the report of the Chief Executive providing the quarterly overview of performance in delivering on the Council priorities. Attention was drawn to performance on the number of households living in temporary accommodation which had decreased since quarter 1 despite ongoing pressures. For Adult Social Care, all KPIs were at or above target, and Enfield’s performance in respect of delayed hospital discharge was the best in North Central London. The number of business start-ups was highlighted, and that the decrease reflected the economic instability across the country.

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

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 Resources is attached.  (Key decision – reference number 5573)

Cllr Tim Leaver (Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement) introduced the report of the Executive Director Resources updating the progress that Digital Services had delivered against the programme agreed at Cabinet in February 2021, and updating the Digital Portfolio programme. An additional £24.1m capital was required for the remaining seven years of the programme. Direct customer benefits and the enabling of a Modern Council were highlighted. Reprioritisation of areas of focus was described. Delivery was on a par with other boroughs.

DECISION:  The Cabinet agreed to:

1.  Note the programmes and projects delivered to date by Digital Services.

2.  Approve the refreshed portfolio, totalling 59 programmes and projects that require delivering, and noting the delivery of 19 projects from the original Digital Capital Investment Programme (DCIP).

3.  Authorise the draw down the remaining budget of £33.1m as defined in the original KD5223 which will support delivery over the next 3 years.

4.  Approve an additional £24.1m capital that was required for the remaining seven years of the programme.

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

(Key decision – reference number 5573)

A report from the Executive Director of Resources is attached.  (Key decision – reference number 5548)

Cllr Tim Leaver (Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement) introduced the report of the Executive Director Resources providing an update on the funding and spending assumptions set out in the 2023 to 2028 Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) and bringing forward a further tranche of savings proposals. Attention was drawn to the budget gap. The Council’s financial resilience was highlighted, and the intention to increase Council Tax, alongside the context of the impacts of government austerity policies, Covid-19, inflation, interest rate rises and the current economic situation. These proposals looked to the future and focus on investments in areas for the longer term to make a difference and improve the lives of residents.

Officers confirmed the pressures faced by the borough, that at the end of the five year period it was still expected to have reserves over what they were in 2018, and that a balanced budget would be set which the local authority should be proud of.

The Leader highlighted comparisons with the circumstances of other boroughs. Confirmation was provided on maintenance of a Council Tax Support scheme. Increases in fees and charges were kept mostly below inflation. Proposals reflected the Council’s commitment to services valued by residents. Any gap identified in this report would be closed by February and it was clear that a balanced budget would be provided. Thanks were expressed to Cllr Leaver for his leadership and to every Cabinet Member for contributing to the process.

DECISION:  The Cabinet agreed to:

1.  Note the current budget gap of £5.264m for 2023/24 before the finalisation of the business rate forecast and the final tranche of savings.

2.  Note the forecast funding gap of £65.528m across the entire period covered by the medium term financial plan of which £10.162m is in 2024/25. 3.  Note the details announced in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, which was delivered on 17 November 2022, including the delay of social care reforms.

4.  Note the outcome of the Local Government Finance Settlement set out in Paragraphs 58 to 86 of the report.

5.  Note the additional funding for Adult Social Care, coupled with the deferral of Adult Social Care reforms.

6.  Note that the smaller Business Rate Pool of eight London boroughs including Enfield will extend for a further year in 2023/24.

7.  Note the funding and spending pressures set out in paragraphs 88 to 145 of the report.

8.  Approve the further income and savings proposals brought forward in January of £5.214m for 2023/24 set out in Appendix 3C.

? £4.960m from efficiencies and,

? £0.254m from receipts and income generation.

9.  Note the anticipated ongoing investment in Adult Social Care, Children’s Services and Education required to meet demand pressures totalling £14.568m (a 10.6% increase on the current budget of £137.940m).

10.  Note the investment of £0.600m in 2023/24 and a total of £2.400m by 2025/26 in a Community Law Enforcement Team to make Enfield’s streets safer. This was a pledge made in the Labour administration’s manifesto.

11.  Note the intended use of £2.000m  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To note that the next meeting of the Cabinet is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 8 February 2023 at 8.00pm.

NOTED the next meeting of the Cabinet was scheduled to take place on Wednesday 8 February 2023 at the later than usual time of 8:00pm.