Agenda and minutes

Council - Wednesday, 22nd November, 2017 7.00 pm

Venue: Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Silver Street, Enfield, EN1 3XA. View directions

Contact: Penelope Williams  Email: penelope.williams@enfield.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Election if Required of the Chair/Deputy Chair of the Meeting

Minutes:

Not required. 

2.

The Mayor's Chaplain to give a Blessing

Minutes:

The Mayor’s Chaplain, Rabbi Yuval Keren from the Southgate Progressive Synagogue, gave the blessing. 

3.

Mayor's Announcements in Connection with the Ordinary Business of the Council

Minutes:

The Mayor welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced the new Director of Law and Governance, Jeremy Chambers. 

 

1.               Tributes to Former Councillors

 

The Mayor paid tribute and offered condolences to the families of Councillor Turgut Esendagli and John Boast, Freeman of the Borough and former councillor who had both recently passed away. 

 

Councillor Taylor paid tribute to Turgut Esendagli, a man he had known well who had been taken far too young.  He knew that if he had been in better health he would have done much more, but not withstanding this, he had been a respected, dedicated and hard-working ward councillor for Enfield Highway.  He had also had a passion for football working for, amongst others, Crawley Borough, Essex Town as chair, and as coach for the Turkish national team. 

 

Councillor Taylor also paid tribute to John Boast whom he had known longer and who had been on the Council intermittently since 1964, when it was first formed.  He had last seen him earlier this summer when his cancer had seemed to be in remission. 

 

John Boast had lately served as the ward councillor for Turkey Street and had been very active on the Licensing Committee and as Chairman of the North London Waste Authority.  He was hard-working, dedicated and methodical – meticulously even planning his own funeral – a councillor for whom Councillor Taylor had had great respect.  Councillor Taylor expressed his condolences to John Boast’s friends and family for their deep loss. 

 

Councillor Laban paid tribute to John Boast who had been a family friend and also a friend to many in the local conservative party.  John Boast, who had been involved in Enfield since the Council was first established, had given his life to making Enfield a better place and lots of time to the Enfield Conservative Group.  She expressed thanks for the work that he had done. 

 

Councillor Celebi offered her condolences to John Boast’s family and friends.  She also paid tribute to Turgut Esendagli whom she had known for many years, mainly because of his activities with the large Turkish football community, with which her own husband had also been involved.   Turgut had given much of his life to the benefit of footballers.  Waltham Forest Football Club had lost a great mentor.  He would be much missed by the community and she offered her condolences to his wife and young family.

 

One minutes silence was held in honour of both men. 

 

2.               Engagements since the last Council meeting

 

The Mayor reported that she had been very busy since the last meeting, attending over 44 engagements in November alone.  She thanked her deputy Councillor Doris Jiagge for her continued to support in covering engagements on her behalf.  She felt that without her deputy, the Mayoral office would not have been able to accept so many engagements. 

 

The main events since the last meeting  included: 

 

·       Citizenship ceremonies at which she was honoured to be present.

·       Enfield Vision Focus Day – the Mayor had been  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

4.

Minutes of the meeting held on 19 September 2017 pdf icon PDF 231 KB

To receive and agree the minutes of the meeting held on 19 September 2017. 

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 September 2017 were confirmed as a correct record. 

5.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bond, Brett, Dines, Lavender, Levy, McGowan and Smith and for lateness from Councillors Charalambous and Keazor.   

6.

Declaration of Interests

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

Minutes:

Councillor Alessandro Georgiou declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 13.8 Motion in the name of Councillor Laban on the extension of the Mayor of London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone as he worked for a company which had a client who was involved in the industry. 

 

Councillor Abdul Abdullahi declared a non-pecuniary interest, as a school governor, in item 13.1 Motion in the name of Councillor Ayfer Orhan on the Government funding for education. 

7.

Annual Report of the Child Sexual Exploitation and Associated Risk to Young People Task Group pdf icon PDF 297 KB

To receive the annual report from the Child Sexual Exploitation and Associated Risk to Young People Task Group.  (Report No: 102)

 

Council is asked to note the report and approve the suggested changes to the task group terms of reference. 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Jemal moved and Councillor Elaine Hayward seconded the Annual Report of the Child Sexual Exploitation and Associated Risk to Young People Task Group.  (Report No: 102)

 

NOTED

 

1.               That 112 new cases had been reported over the past year and that more enforcement was being carried out.  The most common type of abuse reported in Enfield was peer on peer abuse.  This reflected a growing trend across London.  A positive was that the number of cases was not increasing and that better reporting was taking place.

 

2.               The task group was putting forward a recommendation that the terms of reference should be amended to widen their remit to include vulnerable adults and young people generally.  The task group felt that other abuse issues such gang violence and drug and alcohol were heavily interrelated with sexual exploitation and that it made sense to widen the focus of the group and mirror this at the committee level.

 

3.               Councillor Jemal, as Chair, said that she was proud of what had been set up and the great work that the task group councillors were doing.  She thanked them and the officers (Anne Stoker, Assistant Director Children’s Social Care, and Grant Landon, Service Manager Practice and Partnerships, an outstanding Council Officer) for the support that they had provided and the work that they did for the Council in this area.  Their work and external funding were critical to the success of the service.   

 

4.               The support of the opposition including Councillors Elaine Hayward, Glynis Vince and Mike Rye who agreed with all that had been said and added their thanks to the officers and Councillor Jemal.

 

5.               The emphasis on the recommendation that all members attend the safeguarding training, put on by the Council, as not everyone had to date. 

 

6.               The crossover with issues such as modern slavery, young people missing school and the inclusion of forced marriages and female genital mutilation within the revised remit of the group. 

 

7.               The exemplary nature of the cross party working involved in the group and recognition that the issues were being taken seriously across the Council. 

 

8.               Acknowledgement that the group had been set up because of the horrific events in Rotherham and the determination that such things should not happen in Enfield. 

 

AGREED

 

1.               To ask all members to increase their awareness of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and related issues and attend safeguarding training sessions that were available especially for members.

 

2.               That the CSE task group acknowledges the progress made in understanding offenders / persons of concern but also recognises the need to continue to improve profiling on a local and pan-London basis establishing consistency of approach across police services.  The Council agrees to recommend that the borough police and the Metropolitan Police Service continue to work with Enfield partners to complete the persons of concern local profile that has recently been developed.

 

3.               To approve a change to the terms of reference of the CSE task group to include  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

Enfield Adult Safeguarding Board Annual Report 2016/17 pdf icon PDF 173 KB

To receive a report from the Executive Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care on the Enfield Adult Safeguarding Board Annual Report 2016-17.

(Report No: 62A)

 

Council is asked to note the progress being made in protecting vulnerable adults in the Borough as set out in the annual report of the Safeguarding Adults Board.                                                               

 

Please note that this report has been referred on for information from Cabinet at their meeting on 18 October 2017 and has also been considered at the Health and Wellbeing Board. 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Cazimoglu moved and Councillor Lappage seconded the report of the Executive Director Health, Housing and Adult Social Care presenting the Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report 2016-2017. (Report No: 62A)

 

NOTED

 

1.               To note that the Cabinet had considered this report on 18 October 2017 and had recognised the good work that was being done, in partnership with statutory and non-statutory agencies, to keep vulnerable residents safe.  The report had also been considered by the Health and Wellbeing Board, made up of partners from the Clinical Commissioning Group, Healthwatch and the voluntary sector. 

 

2.               Enfield has over 100 care homes and 60 home care agencies and the Council was committed to the principle that keeping these residents safe was everyone’s business.  It was therefore felt to be very important to raise awareness of the issues across the borough. 

 

3.               The thanks to everyone involved in this area of work and the emphasis on the importance of training and re-training. 

 

4.               Appreciation that Modern Slavery was now an area that had been included in the report.

 

5.               The comments from the Opposition that although there were positives, there were issues highlighted in the report that did need addressing including the 42% of nursing homes that required improvements and the 25% rated inadequate for domiciliary care.  The view that it would have been helpful to have the year on year picture as well as more information about what is being done to address these issues. 

 

6.               The response that Enfield’s figures were better than other similar authorities.

 

7.               The view that the penalties available to punish those that ill-treat vulnerable people should be increased and that London Councils should be pressed to ensure that offenders can feel the full force of the law. 

 

8.               That there were constituents with severe mental health problems in need of support.  However the services available were underfunded and many people had to reach crisis levels before support was forthcoming.  Acknowledgement that there was a long way from parity of esteem between mental health and other health services.   

 

AGREED to note the progress being made in protecting vulnerable adults in the borough as set out in the annual report of the Safeguarding Adults Board. 

9.

Reference from Member and Democratic Services Group - Revised Petitions Scheme pdf icon PDF 159 KB

To receive a report from the Chief Executive recommending changes to the Council Petitions Scheme.    (Report No:  103)

 

Council is asked to approve the revised scheme. 

 

The report has been recommended to Council by the Member and Democratic Services Group. 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Simon moved and Councillor Fonyonga seconded a report from the Chief Executive recommending changes to the Council’s petitions scheme.  (Report No: 103)

 

NOTED

 

1.               The report had been recommended to Council by the Member and Democratic Services Group.

 

2.               The scheme had been revised, following careful consideration by the Member and Democratic Services Group, to ensure that the scheme could only be used by those people living, working and studying in Enfield – this would include people living on out of borough estates and those who had been placed by the local authority outside the borough. 

 

3.               Other amendments included changes to the complaints procedures and additions to the list of petitions that the Council were unable to accept. 

 

4.               Thanks to all the officers involved for their hard work in facilitating the improvements to the Council’s democratic processes. 

 

5.               The reservations of the Opposition in regard to the changes to the eligibility requirements for those signing petitions which they saw as a part of a pattern of the Labour administration restricting democratic scrutiny and a reluctance to listen to counter arguments.

 

6.               The opposition view that people living outside the borough, including those using the road system, shopping in Enfield centres, living on the borders might have legitimate views which the Council should take account of.  It should be possible to draw a distinction to include these people in the scheme. 

 

7.               The response that there were alternative methods including consultations on particular projects such as Cycle Enfield which enabled people with legitimate views to feed them into the Council.  The Council’s processes were transparent and open and it was ready to act responsibly, listen and to take account of the views of all those with an interest.  The petitions scheme was just one scheme, one designed for Enfield residents.

 

8.               In summing up Councillor Simon said that there was a balance to be made between a comprehensive consultation process and a petition scheme.  When consulting there was a need to identify where people are coming from:  there was not a rigid line.  This was different from a petition scheme for residents of the borough.  The changes had been agreed originally on a cross party basis.

 

Following the discussion the recommendations in the report were put to the vote with the following result: 

 

For:  33

Against:  0

Abstentions:  18

 

AGREED to approve the proposed changes to the Council’s petition scheme as set out in appendix A to the report. 

10.

Reference from Councillor Conduct Committee - Changes to Procedures for Handling Complaints against Councillors and Co-opted Members pdf icon PDF 217 KB

To receive a report including references from the Councillor Conduct Committee on changes to the procedure for handling complaints against councillors and co-opted members.  (Report No:  100)

 

Council is asked to agree to the changes put forward in the report. 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Stewart moved and Councillor Achilleas Georgiou seconded a report of the Head of Legal Services reviewing the Councillor Code of Conduct procedures for handling complaints against elected members and co-opted members.  (Report No:  100)

 

NOTED

 

1.               The recommendations had been agreed and put forward following a review of the procedures by the Councillor Conduct Committee.

 

2.               The main change was to enable the Monitoring Officer to pursue complaints of a serious nature even where they may have been withdrawn by the complainant. 

 

3.               The Opposition suggested that further detail on this was required and suggested that the recommendations should be agreed, subject to further discussion at the Councillor Conduct Committee. 

 

AGREED

 

1.               To approve a change to the Councillor Code of Conduct procedures for handling complaints against elected and co-opted members to enable the Monitoring Officer to pursue complaints if she/he thinks that these warrant further investigation, even if they have been withdrawn.  The full text of the change is included in paragraph 3.5 of the report. 

 

2.               To include the procedure for hearing complaints (as attached as Appendix 2 to this report) as an appendix to the Councillor Code of Conduct in the Council Constitution. 

 

(This was agreed subject to further discussion on the wording around what determines a matter to be taken forward.) 

11.

Reference from Audit and Risk Management Committee - Revised Contract Procedure Rules pdf icon PDF 238 KB

To receive a report from the Executive Director Finance, Resources and Customer Services proposing revisions to the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules.  (Report No: 101)

 

Council is asked to agree the revised procedure rules as recommended by the Audit and Risk Management Committee on 1 November 2017. 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Maguire moved and Councillor Dogan seconded a report of the Executive Director Finance, Resources and Customer Services reviewing the Council’s contract procedure rules.  (Report No: 101)

 

NOTED

 

1.               The changes proposed had been agreed and recommended for approval to Council by the Audit and Risk Management Committee at their meeting on 1 November 2017. 

 

2.               The revised rules comply with legal requirements, reflect changes made as a result of the establishment of the new procurement and commissioning hub, reduce the number of pages, make the rules simpler and easier to read, include the addition of an index and use plain English.  The attached guidance spell out the rules in a simple form.  The rules will ease understanding and make complying with the relevant legislation easier. 

 

3.               The whole hearted support of the Opposition for the new rules because of concerns about the way contracts had been let in the past but also concern:

·         That the rules would be worthless if they are not properly enforced. 

·         About the use of waivers which although going down were still felt to be too high. 

·         About the use of framework contracts where separate tenders were not required. 

 

4.               The response that number of waivers obtained had dropped substantially in the past few years for which officers were to be congratulated.  At the last meeting of the Audit and Risk Management Committee only two waivers had been reported.  Rules and regulations were felt to be working. 

 

AGREED to approve the changes to the Council’s contract procedure rules for inclusion within the Council’s constitution. 

12.

Business Rates pdf icon PDF 252 KB

To receive a report from the Executive Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services.                                                                     (Report No: 90A)

(Key Decision:  KD: 4605)

 

Cabinet is due to consider the report on 15 November 2017.  If agreed, Cabinet will recommend that Council agree in principle to participation in the business rate pool and subsequent delegation.

Minutes:

Councillor Lemonides moved and Councillor seconded the report of the Executive Director Finance, Resources and Customer Services on business rates.  (Report No:  90A)

 

NOTED

 

1.               The report asks for Council in principle approval to join a Londonwide business rate pool which will mean retaining more of the rates in London.  Approximately £240m will be shared out.  The weighted distribution should be favourable to Enfield and the Council should receive an extra £4.2m. 

 

AGREED

 

1.               To approve in principle participation in a London Business Rates Pilot Pool with effect from 1 April 2018.

2.               To delegate the Council’s administrative functions as a billing authority to the appropriate lead authority/joint committee.

3.               To delegate authority to the Leader and Executive Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services

·       To agree the operational details of the pooling arrangements with the participating authorities

·       To enter into such agreement as may be necessary to implement the pool and to negotiate, finalise and execute the same on behalf of the Council. 

13.

Change in the Order of Business

Minutes:

Councillor Stewart moved and Councillor Ekechi seconded a proposal under paragraph 2.2(B) of the Council procedure rules to change the order of items on the agenda to take the following motions in the following order:

 

13.6   Motion in the name of Councillor Pite

13.4   Motion in the name of Councillor Oykener

13.1   Motion in the name of Councillor Orhan

13.2   Motion in the name of Councillor Achilleas Georgiou

13.3   Motion in the name of Councillor Taylor

13.5   Motion in the name of Councillor Taylor

 

The change in the order was agreed without a vote. 

 

The minutes reflect the order of the meeting. 

14.

Motions pdf icon PDF 103 KB

13.1       Motion in the name of Councillor Ayfer Orhan

 

“Having been hugely disappointed with Government’s failure to listen to our call for a fairer funding for Enfield Schools, Enfield Council looks forward to seeing increased funding for schools in the next budget.”

 

13.2       Motion in the name of Councillor Achilleas Georgiou

 

“This Council welcomes the saving of £2.5m to the Council’s budget by the purchase of properties through Housing Gateway since it was established in 2014.

 

Given this is a net contribution, it is hard to see how any Councillor could consider it anything other than good economics.”

 

13.3       Motion in the name of Councillor Doug Taylor

 

“Enfield Council notes the letters received by the Leader of the Council from the Minister and from officials about Universal Credit.  (Letters Attached)

 

We note the comments made but reiterate our significant concerns about the risk to vulnerable people arising from this policy and instruct the Leader of the Council to reply to the Minister reflecting the Council’s view.”

 

13.4   Motion in the name of Councillor Ahmet Oykener

 

“Following the tragedy at Grenfell Tower Enfield Council took the decision to retro fit sprinklers in all our tower blocks.  This will improve safety for our residents.

 

The cost of the work will be at least £8 million, and should be funded by the Government as they indicated that they would.  Not to do so would be a betrayal of our tenants and leaseholders.

 

13.5    Motion in the name of Councillor Doug Taylor

 

“Enfield Council notes the Government’s budget and its impact on Enfield.”

 

13.6       Motion in the name of Councillor Vicki Pite

 

“The Mayor of London launched The London Borough of Culture competition at the start of September 2017. The process of submitting an application will bring together Enfield's Cultural organisations and build on the good work done through Enfield Festivals and Events. There is so much to celebrate about Culture in Enfield including Europe’s most inclusive theatre at Chickenshed, accessibility and participation at Millfield, rich heritage and award winning organic farming at Forty Hall and community led Festivals and Events in parks across the borough. Along with our Museums, Theatres, Community Cinema, Community Arts Organisations, Jazz and Blues Clubs, Choirs, Orchestras and Enfield Music Service we have what it takes to make us London's Borough of Culture. This Council unanimously supports the bid.”

 

13.7       Motion in the name of Councillor Edward Smith

 

“The Conservative Opposition is deeply dismayed that Barratts, the Council’s principal development partner, has recently withdrawn from the Meridian Water Scheme. This could have enormous financial repercussions for the Council and will seriously delay the provision of desperately needed affordable housing in the borough.

 

The Council agrees to set out its proposals for enhancing its project management capability of large schemes, its plans to overcome the major financial and other outstanding risks at Meridian Water, and a revised timetable for the delivery of new housing and employment at Meridian Water.”

 

13.8       Motion in the name of Councillor Joanne Laban  ...  view the full agenda text for item 14.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Motion 13.6

 

Councillor Pite moved and Councillor Sitkin seconded the following motion:

 

“The Mayor of London launched The London Borough of Culture competition at the start of September 2017. The process of submitting an application will bring together Enfield's Cultural organisations and build on the good work done through Enfield Festivals and Events. There is so much to celebrate about Culture in Enfield including Europe’s most inclusive theatre at Chickenshed, accessibility and participation at Millfield, rich heritage and award winning organic farming at Forty Hall and community led Festivals and Events in parks across the borough. Along with our Museums, Theatres, Community Cinema, Community Arts Organisations, Jazz and Blues Clubs, Choirs, Orchestras and Enfield Music Service we have what it takes to make us London's Borough of Culture. This Council unanimously supports the bid.”

 

Following the debate, the motion was agreed, after a roll call vote with the following result:

 

For:  33

 

Councillor Abdullahi

Councillor Anderson

Councillor Bakir

Councillor Barry

Councillor A Cazimoglu

Councillor N Cazimoglu

Councillor Chibah

Councillor Dogan

Councillor Doyle

Councillor During

Councillor Ekechi

Councillor E Erbil

Councillor N Erbil

Councillor Fonyonga

Councillor Achilleas Georgiou

Councillor Hasan

Councillor Hurman

Councillor Jemal

Councillor Jiagge

Councillor Keazor

Councillor Lappage

Councillor Lemonides

Councillor Maguire

Councillor Orhan

Councillor Pite

Councillor Savva

Councillor Simon

Councillor Sitkin

Councillor Stewart

Councillor Steven

Councillor Taylor

Councillor Ulus

 

Against: 0

 

Abstentions: 15

 

Councillor Celebi

Councillor Chamberlain

Councillor David Sanders

Councillor Delman

Councillor Fallart

Councillor Alessandro Georgiou

Councillor E Hayward

Councillor R Hayward

Councillor Hurer

Councillor Laban

Councillor Milne

Councillor D Pearce

Councillor Rye

Councillor Steven

Councillor Vince

 

Motion 13.4  

 

Councillor Oykener moved and Councillor Taylor seconded the following motion: 

 

“Following the tragedy at Grenfell Tower Enfield Council took the decision to retro fit sprinklers in all our tower blocks.  This will improve safety for our residents.

 

The cost of the work will be at least £8 million, and should be funded by the Government as they indicated that they would.  Not to do so would be a betrayal of our tenants and leaseholders.”

 

During the debate, Councillor Vince moved and Councillor Rye seconded a proposal under paragraph 14.11 (a) (i) of the Council Constitution that the motion now be put.  This was not agreed, following a vote with the following result:

 

For:  13

Against:  31

Abstentions:  0

 

After further debate the motion was agreed without a vote. 

 

Motion 13.1      

 

Councillor Orhan moved and Councillor Pite seconded the following motion: 

 

“Having been hugely disappointed with Government’s failure to listen to our call for a fairer funding for Enfield Schools, Enfield Council looks forward to seeing increased funding for schools in the next budget.”

 

Following a debate the motion was agreed after a vote with the following result:

 

For:  33

Against: 14

Abstentions: 0

 

Change in the order of Business

 

Councillor Stewart moved and Councillor Ekechi seconded a proposal under paragraph 2.2(B) of the Council procedure rules to change the order of items on the agenda to take Motion 13.10 as the next item of business.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

15.

Councillor Question Time pdf icon PDF 444 KB

14.1    Urgent Questions (Part 4 - Paragraph 9.2.(b) of Constitution – Page 4-9)

 

With the permission of the Mayor, questions on urgent issues may be tabled with the proviso of a subsequent written response if the issue requires research or is considered by the Mayor to be minor.

 

Please note that the Mayor will decide whether a question is urgent or not.

 

The definition of an urgent question is “An issue which could not reasonably have been foreseen or anticipated prior to the deadline for the submission of questions and which needs to be considered before the next meeting of the Council.”

 

Submission of urgent questions to Council requires the Member when submitting the question to specify why the issue could not have been reasonably foreseen prior to the deadline and why it has to be considered before the next meeting. 

 

14.2    Councillors’ Questions (Part 4 – Paragraph 9.2(a) of Constitution – Page 4 - 8)

 

Please note that the list of questions and their written responses will be published on Tuesday 21 November 2017. 

Minutes:

1.               Urgent Questions

 

The Mayor reported that she had received one question after the ordinary deadline for the receipt of questions for Council.  On the advice of the Monitoring Officer, the Mayor had determined that the question did not meet the Council’s urgency provisions and could therefore wait to be considered at the next Council meeting. 

 

2.               Questions by Councillors

 

NOTED

 

1.               The thirty nine questions on the Council agenda and the written responses provided by the relevant Cabinet Members.

 

2.               The following supplementary questions and responses received for the questions listed below:

 

Question 1 (Money Spent on Artificial Intelligence) from Councillor Laban to Councillor Lemonides, Cabinet Member for Finance and Efficiency

 

Councillor Laban thanked Councillor Lemonides for his question and asked when we could expect Amelia to be alive? 

 

Reply from Councillor Lemonides

 

Councillor Lemonides replied that the money spent so far was initial expenditure, the start of a long journey, a process of modernisation and transformation.  Work was ongoing.  When it was fully implemented it would be appraised and a cost benefit analysis would be carried out. 

 

Question 2 (Government’s Budget Statement) from Councillor Abdullahi to Councillor Taylor, Leader of the Council

 

Councillor Abdullahi asked for Councillor Taylor’s view on the budget? 

       

Reply from Councillor Taylor

 

Councillor Taylor responded by saying that what the budget demonstrated, was what the Labour administration has been saying since 2010, that this was a Government that had hard wired austerity into its fiscal policy and created disaster for the country.  He felt that there was nothing of any real worth for local government, nothing on social care, but there was £3 billion for BREXIT. 

 

George Osbourne, when Chancellor of the Exchequer, had been going to eliminate the deficit, by 2020.  Last year the deficit was £24.4 billion and this year it has risen by a further £4 billion.  The impact of this on Enfield would be that house prices would rise, wages in public sector would stagnate and prospects for growth would be downgraded.  Prices are increasing. The future for residents of the borough is bleak.  They will have to work longer and get paid less.  Although the Chancellor has said that there is no unemployment, which is good.  The only good news is that this is another nail in the coffin of the Government.   

 

Question 3 (Parsonage Lane Housing Improvement Scheme) from Councillor Laban to Councillor Oykener, Cabinet Member for Housing and Housing Regeneration

 

Councillor Laban asked as the question suggests we approach the 80th week of a projected 23 week housing scheme, which many residents have had enough of.  She said that there had been talk about the charges leaseholder’s will face and that this will be an increase on 3 months ago.  In the light of the fact that we have put financial penalties on United Living, she asked for a commitment, from the Cabinet Member, that the leaseholder charges when they get sent out will be final, as there have been discrepancies and different amounts have been  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

16.

Committee Membership

To confirm the following changes to Committee memberships:

 

·       Audit and Risk Management Committee – Councillor Hurer to replace Councillor Milne. 

 

Please note that any further changes received once the agenda has been published will be tabled on the Council update sheet at the meeting. 

Minutes:

AGREED to confirm the following changes to committee memberships

 

·       Audit and Risk Management Committee – Councillor Hurer to replace Councillor Milne. 

17.

Nominations to Outside Bodies

To confirm any changes to the nominations to outside bodies.  No changes have been notified to date. 

 

Please note that any changes notified after the agenda has been published will be reported to Council on the update sheet tabled at the meeting. 

Minutes:

Council agreed to confirm the following changes to the nominations on outside bodies:

 

·       Montague 406 Limited Liability Partnership: the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Business Development and the Executive Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services to represent the Council on the body. 

·       London Councils Leaders Committee:  Councillor Orhan to replace Councillor B Charalambous as the Council’s deputy representative. 

18.

Called in Decisions

None received. 

Minutes:

None received. 

19.

Date of Next Meeting

To note the date agreed for the next Council meeting:

 

·       Wednesday 31 January 2017 at 7pm at Enfield Civic Centre. 

Minutes:

NOTED that the next ordinary Council meeting would take place on Wednesday 31 January 2018 at 7pm.