Agenda and draft minutes

Councillor Nesil Caliskan welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Ian Davis (Chief Executive).

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 13 March 2024.

AGREED that the minutes of the previous meeting of the Cabinet held on 13 March 2024 be confirmed as a correct record.

A report from the Executive Director - Environment and Communities is attached.  (Key decision – reference number 5735)

Cllr Chinelo Anyanwu (Cabinet Member for Environment, Culture and Public Spaces) introduced the report of the Executive Director – Environment and Communities, seeking approval for the adoption of the revised Climate Action Plan 2024. The Plan set out the Council’s carbon neutral targets. It built on previous successes, particularly in reduction of emissions. Officers were thanked for working hard on these initiatives. It was noted that implementation of new schemes would be subject to affordability.

In response to Members’ queries in respect of performance against the original Plan, it was confirmed that the Council was ahead of targets and had achieved a reduction of over 30% in emissions, due particularly to decarbonisation of buildings.

The Chair recorded thanks to officers involved across a number of departments, and to the Cabinet Member and Deputy Leader.

DECISION:  The Cabinet agreed to:

I. Adopt the revised Climate Action Plan 2024.

II. Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Environment and Communities in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member to implement the Climate Action Plan.

III. Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Environment and Communities, following consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member to update the Action Plan and make amendments, as long as they do not change its core value or have financial implications, so that all implementation, delivery and management requirements continue to be sufficient and effective.

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

A report from the Executive Director – People is attached.  (Key decision – reference number 5706)

(This item 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).

Cllr Abdul Abdullahi (Cabinet Member for Children’s Services) introduced the report of the Executive Director – People, setting out the detailed and strategic delivery plan for the continuation of the annual People’s Directorate Schools Capital Programme 2024/25 – 2025/26, for inclusion in the Council’s 10-year Capital Programme. The investments in maintenance and improvements to the schools’ estate and in additional Special Education Needs (SEN) pupil places were highlighted.

In response to Members’ queries, it was confirmed that almost 300 new SEN places were to be created in Enfield, and this would assist longer term objectives and reduction in spending on transport costs.

Members had noted the budget information in the restricted appendix to the report.

DECISION:  The Cabinet agreed to:

I. Provide ‘approval to spend’ for the £19.74m revised schools’ 2024/25 capital budget as detailed in restricted Appendix A (subject to Council approval of revised capital budget KD 5744 elsewhere on this meeting agenda).

II. Approve the strategic objectives as set out in the report.

III. Give approval to commence the delivery of projects detailed in restricted Appendix ‘A’ to allow tenders to be pursued in compliance with the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules.

IV. Note that the £19.74m revised schools’ capital budget includes a £0.5m contingency budget for urgent works and / or new schemes not yet identified as priority works.

V. Note that the 2024/25 capital programme is funded from DfE capital grant, assumed education s106 contributions and ringfenced capital receipts.

VI. Delegate authority to the Lead Member for Children’s Services to:

a. Approve the procurement and award of works and services contracts for the SEN projects which are over £0.5m including professional and technical expenses as detailed in restricted Appendix ‘A’ given their strategic importance for delivering SEN places to address the increasing demand.

b. Approve the award of works contracts over £5m for all condition related projects, decarbonisation projects and works resulting from the sale of Caretaker Houses.

VII. Delegate authority to Executive Director of People to:

a. Approve the award of works contracts up £5m for all condition related projects, decarbonisation projects and works resulting from the sale of Caretaker Houses.

b. Approve the award of works contracts up £0.5m for any SEN projects.

c. Add urgent projects to the programme funded from the approved contingency (total £0.5m).

VIII. Delegate authority to Executive Director of Resources or the Executive Director of People to accept any future funding rounds from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) or Low Carbon Skills Fund (LCSF) and to add this to the Schools Capital Programme.

IX. Note and authorise applications to the Department for Education (DfE) for Secretary of State consent in respect of any disposal or repurposing of the vacant caretakers / site managers properties.

X. Note Cabinet’s previous approval (KD 5373) of the approach in relation to the disposal or repurposing of the vacant caretaker properties, allocating income generated to support the delivery of SEN provision as a strategic priority as well as undertaking works at each individual school.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

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

Councillor Ergin Erbil (Deputy Leader of the Council) introduced the report of the Chief Executive showing the Quarter 3 performance for 2023/24 (October 2023 – December 2023) and comparing it to the Council’s performance across the previous period for a series of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). He thanked officers for their hard work and highlighted several KPIs had improved and that some challenges remained.

In response to Members’ queries, Councillor Susan Erbil provided details of improvements in Planning services and that an appeals action plan was being implemented.

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

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

AGREED to reverse the order of agenda items 8 and 9. The minutes follow the order of the meeting.

A report from the Executive Director – Resources is attached.  (Key decision – reference number 5744)

Cllr Tim Leaver (Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement) introduced the report of the Executive Director – Resources, providing an update on the final outturn position of the Council capital programme, and updates on additional carry forwards and changes to the Pipeline programme. A review of projects took place in November. A carry forward of £35.4m unspent budget would be rolled over into the capital programme for 2024/25. Issues remained, particularly pressures in relation to Meridian Water, but there had been spending on programmes which mattered most to residents, including Housing Revenue Account spend.

In response to Members’ queries, officers confirmed due diligence employed, and the increase in the Council’s capital programme for 2024/25.

DECISION:  The Cabinet agreed:

I. To recommend that Council:

a. Approves the carry forward of £35.4m unspent budget from 2023/24 to future years (Appendix B), of which £15.68m is funded by borrowing.

b. Approves the revised 2024/25 capital programme (Appendix D).

c. Approves the growth in Pipeline projects (Appendix E), noting that these projects will be subject to a full business case review prior to being moved into the main capital programme (KD5502 delegated to Cabinet authority to approve Pipeline projects up to £10m).

d. Notes growth of £7.5m in the 2023/24 capital programme (Appendix C) and approves growth of £12.8m in the 2024/25 capital programme (Appendix D1).

II. To note:

e. 2023/24 capital expenditure of £198.8m, against approved November budget of £283.1m.

f. An overall net reduction of £20.0m in the 2023/24 programme (Appendix C).

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

A report from the Executive Director – Resources is attached.  (Key decision – reference number 5743)

Councillor Tim Leaver (Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement) introduced the report of the Executive Director - Resources reporting the activities of the Council’s Treasury Management function during the 2023/24 financial year. The underspend against budget was highlighted. The cost of debt was well within affordability, and the Council was only borrowing against projects that matter to residents, and was showing good financial management.

In response to Members’ queries regarding obtaining low interest rates, it was confirmed that the maturity structure of the Council’s borrowing was set out in Appendix D of the report and showed that more than 50% of borrowing is over 10 years or above.

DECISION:  The Cabinet agreed to note the report prior to submission to Council.

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

A report from the Executive Director – Resources is attached.  (Key decision – reference number 5725)

Cllr Tim Leaver (Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement) introduced the report of the Executive Director – Resources, seeking approval for the business plan for Housing Gateway Limited (HGL) for the year 2024/25. HGL was showing a strong financial performance and an operating profit.

In response to Members’ queries regarding HGL’s assistance to the Council in reducing temporary accommodation costs, it was advised that it saved the Council around £5m each year. The portfolio of homes was also an asset which gained value year on year. The ambition was to add 130 more homes this financial year.

DECISION:  The Cabinet agreed to:

I. Approve the HGL Business Plan for delivery in 2024/25.

II. Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Resources to enter into a new borrowing facility agreement with HGL of up to £29.4m to finance planned capital spend in 2024/25 and refinance £3.9m of properties purchased by HGL but not yet financed by borrowing.

III. Delegate authority to Executive Director (Resources) to refinance the existing loans to HGL (i.e. revise the existing loan agreements) to ensure that loan repayments from HGL are fully reflective of Council borrowing costs.

IV. Delegate authority to the Executive Director (Resources) to enter into a working capital facility with HGL for up to £2m.

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

A report from the Executive Director – Resources is attached.  (Key decision – reference number 5597)

(This item 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).

See also Item 14 in Agenda – Part 2.

Cllr Tim Leaver (Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement) introduced the report of the Executive Director – Resources, reporting on Energetik’s Operating Plan 2023 - 2026. Further detail on the operating plan was set out in the Part 2 report due to commercial sensitivity, but the heat network was part of the contribution to reducing carbon and addressing climate change. A management team had worked on the concerns of Cabinet about the nature of spending and cost of building work by Energetik.

DECISION:  The Cabinet agreed to note Energetik’s Operating Plan 2023 – 2026.

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

To note that the next meeting of the Cabinet is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 11 September 2024 at 7:00pm.

NOTED the next meeting of the Cabinet was scheduled to take place on Wednesday 11 September 2024 at 7:00pm.

A resolution was passed under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972 excluding the press and public from the meeting for the items of business listed on Part 2 of the agenda on the grounds that they involve 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).

A report from the Executive Director – Resources is attached.  (Key decision – reference number 5597)

(This item 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).

DECISION:  The Cabinet agreed the additional recommendations set out in the Part 2 report.

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