Agenda and minutes

Sri, the granddaughter of Guruji Vyas Sharma, spiritual leader from the Dharma Mandir Hindu Temple, gave the blessing, accompanied by youth colleagues.

There was no business transacted under this item.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Gunes Akbulut, Nesil Caliskan, Guney Dogan, Thomas Fawns, Ayten Guzel, Andy Milne, Gina Needs, Ahmet Oykener and David Skelton.

The Mayor welcomed everyone to the meeting of Council, and wished everyone a very happy new year.

The Mayor firstly took some time to wish fellow Councillor, Gina Needs, a speedy recovery in respect of her recently diagnosed illness and sent all our best wishes to her.

The Mayor informed the Chamber of the sad loss of former Councillor and Cabinet Member Del Goddard. Del was a dedicated public servant for Enfield for many years, being a ward councillor between 1996 – 2014. Following the 2010 council election he was appointed Cabinet Member for Business and Regeneration. He was also involved in many other community and partnership organisations. Our sincere condolences go out to his family and friends.

The Mayor was also notified this week of the sad loss of Sylvia Jackson who was a Mayoress in 1990 when her husband, former Councillor John Jackson, was Mayor. Again, our condolences go out to family and friends.

Councillors were invited to say a few words in tribute.

Cllr Doug Taylor spoke of Del Goddard’s many roles in the Council and the borough, his keenness to drive forward change, and his long-lasting impact on Enfield. Cllr Michael Rye spoke of his long friendship with Del Goddard and expressed condolences to his wife and family. Cllr Kate Anolue spoke of her work alongside Del Goddard on Orchardside School Governing Body, and expressed sadness at his passing on behalf of the school. Cllr Joanne Laban praised Del Goddard’s positivity, and heartfelt actions in support of regeneration and to make Enfield a great place to live, work and visit.

Cllr Michael Rye advised that Sylvia Jackson had been a former Mayoress of Enfield twice and had been civically-minded and active in the borough, serving as a school governor and supporting charities, particularly for children with disabilities.

A minute’s silence was marked in respect.

In response to shouting and displaying of flags from the public gallery, and protestors’ disregard of warnings given by the Mayor regarding disruption, the meeting was adjourned and councillors, officers and press representatives reconvened to a secondary meeting area.

The Mayor resumed her announcements after the adjournment.

The Mayor stated that she continued to pray for peace for the continuing conflicts in Ukraine, Palestine and Israel and looked forward to communities  living in safety and security, enjoying equal rights, fundamental freedoms and democracy.

The Mayor continued to support the residents of Enfield by attending the Citizenship ceremonies that took place most weeks. She was honoured to stand before the new citizens of Enfield. They stood proud to be part of our Borough and she was delighted to receive them. She also continued to attend local events and was humbled by the kindness shown to her from the residents of Enfield.

In January we remember all the victims of the Holocaust. The Mayor attended a ceremony at City Hall in remembrance, and Enfield would be holding a Holocaust Memorial event on Thursday 25^th January at the Dugdale Arts Centre, for which councillors  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To receive and agree the minutes of the previous meeting of Council held on Wednesday 22 November 2023 as a correct record.

The minutes of the Council meeting held on 22 November 2023 were received and AGREED as a correct record.

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 Mayor acknowledged that Councillors had received written advice on declarations of interest from the Monitoring Officer prior to the meeting in relation to the setting of the Council tax base.

The following Councillors declared pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests in the following items:

Item 6 – Opposition Priority Business on Protecting Enfield’s Green Spaces – Cllrs Julian Sampson, Joanne Laban, Doug Taylor and Emma Supple were a member of an Enfield Golf Club and so declared a non-pecuniary interest in this item.

An issues paper prepared by the Opposition Group is attached for information.

Cllr Julian Sampson introduced the Opposition Priority Business paper on Protecting Enfield’s Green Spaces.

Cllr Sampson noted that Enfield’s green spaces of all sizes were loved and valued. He had heard prejudice against golf courses for their alleged elitism by the current administration, but stated that golf clubs in Enfield were far from exclusive, and had 2000 members living across the borough. Enfield’s golf clubs also had a diverse membership. Golf was an environmentally friendly outdoor leisure pursuit. The new Local Plan was considered to put pockets of green space such as Brimsdown Sports Ground under threat of building development. As detailed in the paper, areas currently enjoyed as open spaces were identified in the Local Plan for redevelopment, including a crematorium on Haselbury Church Street recreation ground.  Loss of green spaces to raise revenue was feared: these were not investments to be priced but community assets to be valued.

Cllr Ergin Erbil, Deputy Leader of the Council, responded that protection and enhancement of Enfield’s green spaces was one of the administration’s priorities. Action had already been progressed on woodland creation, rewilding initiatives, and new wetlands. Cllr Erbil felt that the Opposition had misinterpreted the Local Plan: key aspects of it addressed concerns, such as accessibility to all to green spaces, and protection of green sites and noted that wildflower meadows were more protective to biodiversity than golf courses. In respect of Whitewebbs Park, the deal with Tottenham Hotspur would provide new trails and a café, jobs and training, and the woods were excluded from the lease.

Opposition members did not accept the claims that the administration championed the environment. They believed that the Local Plan would identify virtually all open space and green space in the borough as open to development, especially for housing. The Opposition felt that Whitewebbs should be a park for everyone, and hundreds of local residents had made clear their opposition to the deal with Tottenham Hotspur. Residents in the most deprived areas would be hardest hit by Local Plan proposals, such as development at Brimsdown Sports Ground. The proposal for a crematorium in Haselbury had outraged local residents. Benefits of green spaces for play and exercise were vital and such spaces should not be destroyed when there was an obesity crisis.

In response, Administration members stated that the Council had shown its commitment to enhancing and maintaining the borough’s blue and green assets, with numerous projects. The Council won a global Ashden award for Local Nature Recoverers in respect of flood risk mitigation, and had provided 13 new wetlands and planted 130,000 new trees. The health and wellbeing of residents was important, evidenced by funding for sport and leisure and engagement with sports clubs and friends of parks groups. The Local Plan had a role to promote sustainable development, and had an environmental role.

During the debate, a procedural motion was moved by Cllr Ozaydin and seconded by Cllr Ergin Erbil under paragraph 13.20 (viii) of the Council’s Procedure Rules to extend the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Council is asked to approve the 2024/25 council tax and business rate bases.

SENT TO FOLLOW     

The Mayor acknowledged that Councillors had received written advice from the Monitoring Officer relating to section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 prior to the meeting and invited Councillors to declare if any were in arrears of Council Tax which had been outstanding for more than two months. There were no declarations.

The Mayor also acknowledged that Councillors had received updates to paragraph 15 and Appendix A of the report.

Cllr Tim Leaver moved, and Cllr Ergin Erbil seconded, the report.

Cllr Leaver introduced the report, which recommended the 2024/25 Council Tax and Business Rate bases. These must be agreed and notified to the Secretary of State and the Greater London Authority by the 31^st January.

Last year, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that the Council Tax increase limit was increased from 1.99% to 2.99%, with Adult Social Care precept limit increased from 1% to 2%. This had not changed and gave local authorities the option of increasing Council Tax by a maximum of 4.99%, and this is the rate that Enfield Council would be setting for the period 2024/25. The proposed schedule of discounts and premiums were set out in the report. Proposed changes to the Council Tax Support Scheme were currently subject to consultation and would be submitted to the next meeting of Council for approval. The report also set out information in relation to the 2024/25 Business Rate base and the transitional relief scheme.

The Opposition expressed their concerns that despite the business rates retention giving the Council 30% of business rate income, debt maintenance took up a lot of funds. There were proposed above-inflation increases in fees and charges, and cuts to some services. Pledges regarding Council Tax Support had been broken: the proposed changes would impact the worst-off residents in the borough. The Council Tax increase would come at time when residents were facing increased costs of living.

Members stated that Enfield Council had one of the strongest schemes for Council Tax Support in London, and a significant percentage of residents received a discount.

Following the debate, Cllr Sabri Ozaydin moved, and Cllr Ergin Erbil seconded, a procedural motion under paragraph 13.20 (v) of the Council’s Procedure Rules that the question now be put, which was AGREED.

Council was asked to

I. Agree in principle and in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of the Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012, that the amount calculated by the London Borough of Enfield as its Council Tax Base for 2024/25 shall be 97,786 Band D equivalents.

II. Agree in principle the non-domestic rating income estimate for 2024/25, excluding collection fund adjustments, of £127,764,130.

III. Approve, in accordance with the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023, the revised discretionary power to levy a Council Tax premium of 100% in relation to dwellings which have been unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for more than one year (but less than five years).

IV. Delegate authority to the Executive Director, Resources, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

Council is asked to approve the appointments to the role of Independent Person for the Councillor Conduct Committee until 2026.

Cllr Sabri Ozaydin moved, and Cllr Ergin Erbil seconded, the report.

Opposition members expressed disappointment that members of the Councillor Conduct Committee had not been invited to take part in the interview process or to meet the candidate before appointment.

The Monitoring Officer gave advice on the process in respect of consultation on the appointment of an Independent Person, and that this was outside the terms of reference of the Councillor Conduct Committee.

Following the debate, Cllr Sabri Ozaydin moved, and Cllr Ergin Erbil seconded, a procedural motion under paragraph 13.20 (v) of the Council’s Procedure Rules that the question now be put, which was AGREED.

Council was asked to

I. Agree to appoint Gary Rogers to the role of Independent Person for a period of two years, and to extend the appointment of the current Independent Person Joan Mansfield until May 2026 so that the committee retains two Independent Person posts.

A recorded vote was requested by Cllr Georgiou, and another 11 members of the Council having stood in support of the request, the following votes were recorded:

For:

Cllr Abdul Abdullahi

Cllr Josh Abey

Cllr Nicki Adeleke

Cllr Mahmut Aksanoglu

Cllr Nawshad Ali

Cllr Kate Anolue

Cllr Chinelo Anyanwu

Cllr Mahym Bedekova

Cllr Sinan Boztas

Cllr Alev Cazimoglu

Cllr Mustafa Cetinkaya

Cllr Hivran Dalkaya

Cllr Ergin Erbil

Cllr Susan Erbil

Cllr Margaret Greer

Cllr Nelly Gyosheva

Cllr Ahmet Hasan

Cllr Mohammad Islam

Cllr Chris James

Cllr Rick Jewell

Cllr Doris Jiagge

Cllr Destiny Karakus

Cllr Tim Leaver

Cllr Sabri Ozaydin

Cllr Bektas Ozer

Cllr George Savva

Cllr Nia Stevens

Cllr Doug Taylor

Cllr Eylem Yuruk

Abstain:

Cllr Maria Alexandrou

Cllr Lee Chamberlain

Cllr Chris Dey

Cllr Hannah Dyson

Cllr Peter Fallart

Cllr Reece Fox

Cllr Alessandro Georgiou

Cllr Pat Gregory

Cllr Adrian Grumi

Cllr James Hockney

Cllr Stephanos Ioannou

Cllr Chris Joannides

Cllr Joanne Laban

Cllr Elisa Morreale

Cllr Tom O’Halloran

Cllr Paul Pratt

Cllr Michael Rye

Cllr Julian Sampson

Cllr Ruby Sampson

Cllr Edward Smith

Cllr Jim Steven

Cllr Emma Supple

Cllr Andrew Thorp

The recommendations having been put to the vote were AGREED.

A procedural motion was moved by Cllr Sabri Ozaydin and seconded by Cllr Ergin Erbil under paragraph 13.20 (iii) of the Council’s Procedure Rules to change the order of business on the agenda so the Motions would be taken as the next item of business and AGREED.

Cllr Sabri Ozaydin moved to change the order of Motions so that Motion numbers 10.6 and 10.7 would be taken in that order which was seconded by Cllr Ergin Erbil and AGREED.

10.1    Motion in the name ofCouncillor Ergin Erbil

This Council notes that:

·           The mismanagement of the economy by central government has caused the highest levels of inflation in 40 years, rising interest rates and stagnant economic growth.

·           Household energy bills have skyrocketed over the last year – 96% higher than last winter – while just over 16,000 households in Enfield are already fuel poor.

·           The effects of climate change are intensifying the impact of energy prices, increasing pressures on families and businesses.

·           As the cost-of-living increases, people and businesses are less able to finance adaptations to improve energy efficiency and to prepare for extreme weather events.

·           More families need help. Yet steeply increasing inflation means this Council’s ability to mitigate impacts and provide essential services is increasingly challenging.

The Council agrees to:

1.      Recognise that the Cost of Living and Climate Crisis are connected and jointly require attention to ensure the wellbeing of local people and businesses.

2.      Make decisions on investment and delivery that, wherever possible, contribute to environmental and social benefits across Enfield.

3.      Advocate for more robust, affordable public transport that connects employees with work, links students to education and reduces carbon emissions.

4.      Work with social landlords operating in Enfield to review the energy efficiency of their housing stock, recognising that poor insulation and inefficient heating are key factors in the rising cost-of-living.

5.      Write to the Prime Minister, our local MPs, and the relevant government ministers to call for:

a.    Increased financial support for residents, with most support provided to low-income households.

b.    Lobby government to deliver a more ambitious nationwide commitment to fund improvements in the energy efficiency of homes, resulting in energy bill reductions and environmental benefits.

c.    Insulation schemes and renewable energy generation programmes funded by fossil fuel profits.

10.2    Motion in the name of Councillor Bektas Ozer

Despite Enfield residents being hard hit by the rising cost of living, resulting in record numbers of people turning to councils for help, the Government has announced its intention to cut the Household Support Fund (HSF) to councils from this April.

Last year, Enfield Council received £5.6m through the HSF to support families in the borough. This funding enabled holiday activities, provided supplies for school food banks, covered the cost of school uniforms and gave £500 to 4,000 low-income families in Enfield.

Cutting the HSF will mean cutting these vital interventions locally resulting in less support for families when they need it most.

Enfield Council supports calls by the cross-party Local Government Association for the Government to continue the HSF, so councils can continue working with local voluntary and charitable organisations and others to support residents through this crisis.

Enfield Council resolves to write to the Chancellor to call on him to continue the Household Support Fund.

10.3    Motion in the name of Councillor Ayten Guzel

Recent data from the NHS on children’s health show that Enfield was ranked as the fourth-worst borough in London for obesity in four and five-year-olds. 25.5% of  ...  view the full agenda text for item 10.

10.6    Motion in the name of Councillor Kate Anolue

“The first few days of a newborn's life is not only critical for the child, but also an important time to support mothers towards a successful breastfeeding.

The World Health Organisation currently recommends exclusive breastfeeding for six months due to the endless benefits breast milk provides to both baby and mother.

Research by WHO on 16 European countries found that breastfeeding can cut the chances of a child becoming obese by up to 25%, and each additional month of breastfeeding was associated with 4% reduction in the prevalence of overweight.

We call on our Council to commit to further effort to support breastfeeding parents.

To develop a visible scheme that encourages businesses, shops, cafes, restaurants, leisure centres and libraries to be supportive to mums who wishes to breastfeed their babies while shopping.”

Following the debate, the Motion was AGREED.

The remainder of Motions lapsed under the guillotine arrangements.

The list of questions and their written responses will be published prior to the meeting.

In accordance with the guillotine arrangements, answers to questions were taken as printed in the supplementary agenda.

To confirm any changes to committee memberships.

Any changes received once the agenda has been published will be included in the supplementary Agenda to be circulated at the meeting.

There were no changes to committee memberships.

To confirm any changes to outside bodies memberships.

Any changes received once the agenda has been published will be included in the supplementary Agenda to be circulated at the meeting.

There were no changes to outside bodies memberships.

To note the agreed date of the next Council meeting as Thursday 22 February 2024 at 7pm.

The date of the next meeting was NOTED as Thursday 22 February 2024 at 7pm.

On behalf of the Council, the Mayor expressed congratulations to Cllr Nesil Caliskan, Leader of the Council, and her husband on becoming parents, and to Cllr Alev Cazimoglu on becoming a grandmother.

The Mayor re-iterated best wishes to Cllr Gina Needs for a speedy recovery, and that flowers had been sent to Cllr Needs on behalf of all Enfield councillors.