Agenda and draft minutes

Imam Sheikh Gulfar from Edmonton Islamic Centre gave a blessing.

There was no business transacted under this item.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Josh Abey, Alev Cazimoglu, Ergin Erbil, Adrian Grumi, Ahmet Hasan, James Hockney, Chris James, Ahmet Oykener, Nia Stevens and Eylem Yuruk.

Members of the Council are invited to identify any disclosable pecuniary, other pecuniary or non-pecuniary interests relevant to the items on the agenda.

The following Councillor declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following item:

Cllr Laban declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 16 (Members Allowances) as she is a member of the NJC which is mentioned in the report.

To receive and agree the minutes of the previous meetings of Council held on Thursday 22 February 2024 and Tuesday 19 March 2024 as a correct record.

The minutes of the Council meetings held on 22 February 2024 and 19 March 2024 were received and AGREED as a correct record.

The Past Mayor, Cllr Suna Hurman, thanked her consorts and family for all their support during her mayoralty as well as expressing thanks to the Chauffeurs, Mayoral Services Manager, Director of Law and Governance, Head of Governance and Scrutiny Services and the Governance Team. She also thanked Cllr Islam for his support as Deputy Mayor and wished him luck in his new role as Mayor once appointed.

To elect the Mayor of the London Borough of Enfield for the municipal year 2024/25.

Cllr Caliskan moved, and Cllr Georgiou seconded the nomination of Cllr Islam as Mayor of the London Borough of Enfield for the 2024/25 municipal year.

AGREED that Cllr Islam be elected as the Mayor of the London Borough of Enfield for the 2024/25 municipal year.

Cllr Islam made and signed a Declaration of Acceptance of Office before the Director of Law and Governance and was invested with the Badge of Office by the Deputy Lieutenant of London Borough of Enfield, Ann Cable MBE.

Following his appointment, the Mayor acknowledged the honour and privilege he felt to be elected as Mayor of such a diverse borough. The Mayor thanked members of the Council for their support in appointing him and gave special thanks to his wife, parents, and family for all their love and support in the lead up to and whilst being a councillor. The Mayor thanked officers for their support in the lead up to the Mayor Making Ceremony.

To elect the Deputy Mayor of the London Borough of Enfield for the municipal year 2024/25.

Cllr Caliskan moved, and Cllr Georgiou seconded the nomination of Cllr Greer as Deputy Mayor of the London Borough of Enfield for the 2024/25 municipal year.

AGREED that Cllr Greer be elected Deputy Mayor of the London Borough of Enfield for the 2024/25 municipal year.

Cllr Greer made and signed a Declaration of Acceptance of Office before the Director of Law and Governance and was invested with the Badge of Office by the Deputy Lieutenant of London Borough of Enfield, Ann Cable MBE.

Appointment of Mayor’s Consort

The Mayor to announce the appointment of the Mayor’s Consort for the municipal year 2024/25.

Appointment of Deputy Mayor’s Consort

The Deputy Mayor to announce the appointment of the Deputy Mayor’s Consort for the municipal year 2024/25.

The Mayor announced the appointment of Rokshana Afroze and Daneen Amirul as his consorts for the 2024/25 municipal year investing them with their Badges of Office.

The Deputy Mayor announced the appointment of Jerome George as her consort for the 2024/25 municipal year and invested him with his Badge of Office.

To announce the Young Mayor and Young Deputy Mayor for the municipal year 2024/25.

The Mayor announced Sila Karapinar as the Young Mayor and Darren Paul as the Deputy Young Mayor.

On behalf of the Council, the Mayor will present the Past Mayor’s and Past Mayor’s Consort badges. The Mayor will also present badges to the Young Mayor and Young Deputy Mayor.

The Mayor presented the Past Mayor’s badge recording the Council’s appreciation to the outgoing Mayor, Cllr Suna Hurman, who also accepted Past Mayor’s consorts’ badges for her consorts, Savas Hurman and Ella Hurman, who were not present at the meeting.

The Mayor, on behalf of the Council, thanked them for the work they had undertaken over the last year.

To note the appointment of the Cabinet by the Leader of the Council as set out on the list of appointments.

The Leader of the Council, Cllr Caliskan confirmed the appointments to the Cabinet as set out below:

Deputy Leader: Cllr Ergin Erbil

Cabinet Member for Childrens Services: Cllr Abdul Abdullahi

Cabinet Member for Finance & Procurement: Cllr Tim Leaver

Cabinet Member for Housing: Cllr Ayten Guzel

Cabinet Member for Planning & Regulatory Services: Cllr Susan Erbil

Cabinet Member for Transport & Waste: Cllr Rick Jewell

Cabinet Member for Environment, Culture & Public Spaces: Cllr Chinelo Anyanwu

Cabinet Member for Health & Social Care: Cllr Alev Cazimoglu

Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion & Enforcement: Cllr Gina Needs

Associate Cabinet Member for Enfield North: Cllr Ahmet Hasan

Associate Cabinet Member for Enfield West: Cllr Chris James

Associate Cabinet Member for Enfield South East: Cllr George Savva

Associate Cabinet Member – Non-geographical: Cllr Destiny Karakus

To receive a report from the Director of Law and Governance to review the Council’s current committee meetings and propose changes to the constitution.

Cllr Ozaydin moved, and Cllr Aksanoglu seconded the report of the Director of Law and Governance setting out the proposals for a more streamlined approach to scrutiny that reflects the Council’s priorities and avoids duplication of work. The report also proposed other constitutional changes to aid the smooth operation of the Council’s meetings and decision-making processes.

Cllr Ozaydin introduced the report and noted the proposed structure retains the main overview and scrutiny with the overarching coordination function but reduces the number of scrutiny panels from seven panels to four, covering the key areas; Culture & Environment, Healthy & Safe Communities, Thriving Children & Young People and Housing & Regeneration.

The Opposition were disappointed with the proposals to reduce the number of scrutiny panels stating that in their view, they felt the proposals would dilute the incredibly important function that scrutiny plays within the Council by holding the Executive to account. they felt that the new structure would mean panels would have much larger remits to cover in fewer meetings. Concerns were expressed that the proposed constitutional changes did not go to General Purposes Committee so there had been no cross-party discussions on the proposed changes. The Opposition advised that they were against the proposed changes.

The Administration stated that the reduction in scrutiny panels will allow members to have a more impactful role allowing deeper scrutiny and better decision making along with financial savings to work towards the Council’s priorities of a cleaner, greener, and safer borough for its residents as outlined in the Council Plan.

A procedural motion was moved and seconded under paragraph 13.20 (v) of the Council’s Procedure Rules that the question now be put which was put to the vote and AGREED.

AGREED:

I.             A revised Scrutiny structure as detailed in the report, reducing the standing Panels from seven to four.

II.            The amendments to the constitution for the Scrutiny rules of procedure detailed in appendix A.

III.          The deletion of the Environment Forum.

IV.          The constitutional amendments highlighted in appendix A.

V.           To delegate to the Director of Law and Governance authority to make the approved changes to the constitution.

To agree the political balance of the committees, joint committees and panels and agree the establishment of the Council committees and their membership as set out on the list of appointments which will be included in the supplementary agenda.

Members will be asked to agree a resolution to:

Agree without dissent that the Council can only depart from the rules on political balance by passing a resolution with no members voting against the resolution.  Notice of the resolution must be given in the summons.  An abstention does not count as a vote against or these purposes.  The only committee this applies to is the Councillor Conduct Committee, as seats are allocated in accordance with the constitution.

Cllr Ozaydin moved, and Cllr Dey seconded the list of Council bodies, memberships, and proportionality for the 2024/25 municipal year.

AGREED the political balance of the committees, joint committees, and panels and to establish the Council bodies for the 2024/25 municipal year and the appointment of the members to those bodies as set out in the Supplementary Agenda (with a minor amendment of Cllr Ozaydin being appointed as the Chair of the Councillor Conduct Committee) which was circulated ahead of the meeting.

To consider the Council’s representation on outside bodies and organisations as required as set out on the list of outside bodies which will be included in the supplementary agenda.

Cllr Ozaydin moved, and Cllr Dey seconded the list of nominations to outside bodies for the 2024/25 municipal year.

AGREED the Council’s representation on outside bodies as set out on the Supplementary Agenda which was circulated ahead of the meeting.

The Council is asked to agree the authority’s Scheme of Delegation as set out in Part 3 of the Constitution.

Cllr Ozaydin moved, and Cllr Dey seconded the proposal to agree the Council’s Scheme of Delegation as set out in Part 3 of the Constitution.

AGREED the Council’s Scheme of Delegation as set out in Part 3 of the Constitution.

To receive a report from the Director of Law and Governance on the Members’ Allowances Scheme for 2024/25.

Cllr Caliskan moved, and Cllr Leaver seconded the report which proposed an annual lift of 4.04%.

Cllr Caliskan introduced the report and noted the findings and recommendations of the IRP report, which was published in January 2023, and recommended the annual uplift for councillors renumeration as set out in the report.

Cllr Georgiou advised that the Opposition would be voting against any increase in allowances but acknowledged that the Administration had gone for a reduced uplift amount. He stated that although an uplift had been voted down since 2009, it was simply not the right time to do so especially as the changes to scrutiny panels meant that Councillors would essentially now be being paid more to do less work.

A procedural motion was moved and seconded under paragraph 13.20 (v) of the Council’s Procedure Rules that the question now be put which was put to the vote and AGREED.

AGREED that the Members’ Allowances Scheme is approved as set out in Part 6 of the Constitution and subject to an uplift of 4.04%.

The Council is asked to agree the calendar of meetings for the 2024/25 municipal year, subject to any further changes/additions, being delegated to the Director of Law and Governance in consultation with all party groups.

AGREED the calendar for the 2024/25 municipal year, subject to any further changes/additions, being delegated to the Director of Law & Governance in consultation with both party groups.

To note that subject to the agreement of Agenda Item 17, the date of the next Council meeting will be Wednesday 19 June 2024.

NOTED that the next meeting of the Council will be on Wednesday 19 June 2024 at 7pm.