Agenda and draft minutes

Imam Yusuf Ahmet from Turkish Cypriot Islamic Association gave a blessing.

There was no business transacted under this item.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Kate Anolue, Chinelo Anyanwu, Guney Dogan, Reece Fox, Adrian Grumi, Stephanos Ioannou, Joanne Laban, Gina Needs, and Nia Stevens.

Cllr Thomas Fawns was absent from the meeting.

The Mayor welcomed everyone to the chamber and gave some feedback on his recent and future engagements including his upcoming Gala Dinner.

The Mayor paid tribute to and thanked Ian Davis (Chief Executive) for all his support and guidance.  Ian worked at Enfield for 17 years, providing excellent support and service to both councillors and the people of Enfield.  Ian will be leaving the Council in March to take up a new post at Lambeth Council and on behalf of all the Enfield Councillors wished him all the very best in his new role.

Members were invited to say a few words of thanks to Ian Davis.

Cllr Ergin Erbil (Leader of the Council) expressed the pleasure of collaborating with Ian to bring significant improvements to the borough. During a walkabout in Edmonton Green on the Shires Estate, Cllr Erbil witnessed Ian's dedication to every part of our borough, including residents, businesses, stakeholders, community, and voluntary groups. Ian has guided the council through challenging times such as COVID, the ongoing energy crisis, and the housing crisis, leading Enfield from strength to strength.

Cllr Alessandro Georgiou (Leader of the Opposition) fondly recalled his first conversation with Ian at an OSC call-in meeting, where Ian humorously referred to his shoes with a gaping hole as his "lucky shoes." Cllr Georgiou expressed his admiration for Ian, describing him as the ideal local government officer who has dedicated his career to public service within local government. He noted that Ian's first Cabinet Member for Environment was former Cllr Terry Neville OBE, and praised Ian for his excellent management of relationships with councillors. On behalf of the Conservative Group, Cllr Georgiou wished Ian the best of luck in his new role, acknowledging his incredible loyalty and service to the people of Enfield.

Cllr Doug Taylor remarked that going from Director of Environment to Chief Executive was a tremendous achievement. He acknowledged that environment is always a challenging area and recalled several discussions where he became unpopular regarding the NLWA. Ian, however, had a careful way of understanding and addressing those issues. Cllr Taylor praised Ian for being a tremendous servant to the borough of Enfield, both as Chief Executive and as a Director. He thanked Ian for all his work, especially during his tenure as Leader of the Council, and on behalf of all the people he has helped. Ian was known for getting things done, and Cllr Taylor sent his best wishes for Ian's future at Lambeth, hoping it would be as successful as his time in Enfield.

Cllr Michael Rye OBE acknowledged that Ian embodied all the best qualities of an outstanding local government officer; his integrity is recognised by members from both sides and the officers he leads. He understands that the role is about delivering for the current administration and achieving their objectives. Ian has always set a good example through his personal conduct and behaviour, always interacting with officers and members with courtesy and has a lively sense of humour.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

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 asked the Director of Law and Governance to provide advice further to the advice note provided to all members on the declaration of interests requirements at the Council Budget meeting. In relation to agenda item 8 – Budget Report 2025/26 and Medium-Term Financial Plan, any councillor who is two or more months in arrears on their Council Tax should declare this and not take part in the vote.

The Director of Law and Governance advised that according to the Council’s records there were no members with such outstanding arrears, but that the onus was on members to make the declaration if necessary.

The following councillors declared non-pecuniary interests in the following items:

Items 8, 9 and 13 - Cllr Josh Abey declared a non-pecuniary interest in the items relating to Budget, Capital Programme and the Council’s Contract Procedural Rules as he is a director of Housing Gateway Ltd.

Items 8, 9, 10 and 11 - Cllr Doug Taylor declared a non-pecuniary interest in the items relating to the Budget, Capital Programme, HRA Budget and Rent Budget Setting and Treasury Management as he is a director of Energetik.

Item 8 – Cllr Alessandro Georgiou declared a non-pecuniary interest in the item relating to the Budget as he is a member of the London Assembly and is involved in the Mayor’s Precept of the Budget.

To agree the minutes of the previous meeting of Council held on Wednesday 22 January 2025 as a correct record.

The minutes of the previous meeting of Council held on Wednesday 22 January 2025 were AGREED as a correct record.

Council is asked to agree and adopt the Enfield Council Library Strategy.

Cllr Ergin Erbil (Leader of the Council) moved, and Cllr Tim Leaver (Deputy Leader) seconded, the report.

Cllr Ergin Erbil introduced the report and provided feedback on the recent consultation on the review of libraries in the borough. He emphasised the long period of consultation and analysis, and the importance of having an efficient and modern library service fit for purpose for all of the borough’s residents, in accordance with the Public Libraries and Museums Act. The proposals would retain nine libraries, close seven, and declassify Angel Raynham Library as a public library. The service had to be reviewed in the light of serious financial challenges.

Members of the Opposition welcomed the retention of Oakwood Library and the discussions that were taking place in relation to a potential community space at Enfield Island Village. However, They are robustly opposed to the closure of the libraries as an adverse impact on residents, including students, who use libraries for homework and who require space and access to free computers, and the elderly who may find it difficult to travel much further to attend a library or may use the premise as a place to warm themselves especially in light of the cuts to the winter fuel allowance.

The Majority Group responded that in the context of around 800 libraries closing across the country, the Council was now in the position of having to review the library service to consider how it may be delivered in a more efficient way. It was confirmed that Enfield had one of the highest numbers of libraries in any London borough and had managed to protect libraries over many years.

During the debate, a procedural motion was moved by Cllr Bektas Ozer and seconded by Cllr Chris Dey under paragraph 13.20 (viii) of the Council’s Procedure Rules to extend the debate for 30 minutes and was AGREED.

A  further procedural motion was moved by Cllr Bektas Ozer and seconded by Cllr Chris Dey under paragraph 13.20 (viii) of the Council’s Procedure Rules to extend the time for debate of reports for 60 minutes and was AGREED.

Following the debate, the recommendations were put to the vote and AGREED.

Council is asked to agree to move the Local Election count from an overnight to a day count with effect from Thursday 7^th May 2026 (this would only apply to full Local Borough Elections in future) and to agree to move the counting of the votes from Lee Valley Athletics Centre to B Block South in the Civic Centre.

Cllr Ergin Erbil (Leader of the Council) moved, and Cllr Tim Leaver (Deputy Leader) seconded, the report.

Cllr Ergin Erbil introduced the report and highlighted the proposed changes from an overnight count to a day count as well as moving the count venue from Lee Valley Athletics Centre to B Block South in the Civic Centre which will result in cost savings for the Council.

Members welcomed the proposed changes and looked forward to working cross-party on any future changes for the upcoming future election.

A procedural motion moved by Cllr Bektas Ozer and seconded by Cllr Alessandro Georgiou under paragraph 13.20 (v) of the Council’s Procedure Rules to request that the question be now put and was AGREED.

The recommendations were put to the vote and AGREED.

Council to set the Revenue Budget and Council Tax for the 2025/26 financial year. It also updates the Council’s 5-year Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) in the light of those decisions.

Cllr Tim Leaver (Deputy Leader) moved, and Cllr Ergin Erbil (Leader of the Council) seconded, the report.

Cllr Tim Leaver introduced the report of the Council’s General Fund revenue budget for 2025/26 along with the Council’s revised 5-year Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) covering the period 2025/26 to 2029/30. The proposals were the culmination of the 2025/26 budget planning programme and for delivery of manifesto commitments. The Council would be setting a balanced budget which was prudent and resilient. The increase in spending from 2024/25 to 2025/26 was highlighted. Bridging of the budget gap was emphasized, including three tranches of savings, additional income, and seeking additional financial support. An additional £10m would be raised by the Council Tax increase.

The Opposition expressed their concerns in respect of raising of taxes, fees and charges and proposed cuts to services for residents. Money continued to be spent on external consultants and solicitors, and on Civic Centre refurbishments but not being put towards keeping open essential services such as the libraries. The Administration’s manifesto commitments were not being kept. Warnings in respect of borrowing and debt servicing had not been heeded. There were concerns regarding the level of reserves. Residents had made their top issues known during the consultation but had been ignored. The balanced budget was dependent on in-year savings, which were known to be rarely achieved.

A procedural motion was moved by Cllr Bektas Ozer and seconded by Cllr Chris Dey under paragraph 13.20 (viii) of the Council’s Procedure Rules to extend the meeting for 30 minutes and was AGREED.

The report recommendations were agreed following a recorded vote (as required by law) detailed below:

For (30):

Cllr Abdul Abdullahi

Cllr Josh Abey

Cllr Nicki Adeleke

Cllr Gunes Akbulut

Cllr Mahmut Aksanoglu

Cllr Nawshad Ali

Cllr Ian Barnes

Cllr Mahym Bedekova

Cllr Sinan Boztas

Cllr Alev Cazimoglu

Cllr Mustafa Cetinkaya

Cllr Hivran Dalkaya

Cllr Elif Erbil

Cllr Ergin Erbil

Cllr Susan Erbil

Cllr Margaret Greer

Cllr Ayten Guzel

Cllr Nelly Gyosheva

Cllr Ahmet Hasan

Cllr Suna Hurman

Cllr Chris James

Cllr Rick Jewell

Cllr Doris Jiagge

Cllr Destiny Karakus

Cllr Tim Leaver

Cllr Sabri Ozaydin

Cllr Bektas Ozer

Cllr George Savva MBE

Cllr Doug Taylor

Cllr Eylem Yuruk

Against (21):

Cllr Maria Alexandrou

Cllr Lee Chamberlain

Cllr Chris Dey

Cllr Hannah Dyson

Cllr Peter Fallart 

Cllr Alessandro Georgiou

Cllr Pat Gregory

Cllr James Hockney 

Cllr Chris Joannides

Cllr Andy Milne

Cllr Elisa Morreale

Cllr Tom O’Halloran

Cllr Paul Pratt

Cllr Michael Rye OBE

Cllr Julian Sampson

Cllr Ruby Sampson

Cllr David Skelton

Cllr Edward Smith

Cllr Jim Steven

Cllr Emma Supple

Cllr Andrew Thorp 

Abstentions (1):

Mohammed Islam (Mayor)

The Council AGREED to:

i. Set the Council Tax Requirement for Enfield at £174.544m for 2025/26 as set out in the Statutory Budget Determination for 2025/26 in Appendix 20 to the report.

ii. Set the Council Tax at Band D for Enfield for 2025/26 at £1,673.64 which includes a 2.99% general Council Tax increase and a 2.00% Adult Social Care Precept  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

Council is asked to agree the Ten-Year Capital Strategy and Capital Programme for 2025/26 to 2034/35.

Cllr Tim Leaver (Deputy Leader) moved, and Cllr Ergin Erbil (Leader of the Council) seconded the report.

Cllr Tim Leaver introduced the report which presented the 2025/26 Capital Strategy and the detailed ten-year capital programme and outcomes. The proposals for investment in the borough remained ambitious, including a leasing arrangement for housing for temporary accommodation. The Council invested prudently and affordably met its prudential indicators. A change in the basis of MRP had been introduced following an independent review. The capital programme also included investing in Energetik and HGL.

Members of the Opposition highlighted the lack of progress in increasing housing stock in Meridian Water. They pointed out that the administration had promised 3,000 more affordable homes in the borough but has only delivered a fraction of that number. According to the Opposition, if the administration had adhered to their manifesto commitments, they would be better equipped to address the current temporary accommodation and housing crisis.

Following the debate, the recommendations were put to the vote and AGREED.

Council is asked to agree the HRA revenue budget and HRA rents for 2025/26.

In accordance with the guillotine arrangements in the Council Procedure Rules, the recommendations in the report were put to the vote without debate and were AGREED.

Council is asked to agree the Treasury Management Strategy for 2025/26.

In accordance with the guillotine arrangements in the Council Procedure Rules, the recommendations in the report were put to the vote without debate and were AGREED.

Councils are required to formally review and adopt the pay policy statement by 31 March every year. 

In accordance with the guillotine arrangements in the Council Procedure Rules, the recommendations in the report were put to the vote without debate and were AGREED.

Council is asked to agree the amendments to the Councils Contract Procedure Rules.

In accordance with the guillotine arrangements in the Council Procedure Rules, the recommendations in the report were put to the vote without debate and were AGREED.

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

In accordance with the guillotine arrangements in the Council Procedure Rules, answers to questions were taken as printed in the Supplementary Agenda.

The Council is required to designate an employee as the Head of Paid Service.

Members are asked to confirm the designation of the function of the Head of Paid Service on an interim basis until formal recruitment has been undertaken for the role of Chief Executive (Head of Paid Service).

In accordance with the guillotine arrangements in the Council Procedure Rules, this item was put to the vote without debate and was AGREED.

Members AGREED that Perry Scott be designated as the Interim Chief Executive (Head Paid of Service).

To confirm the following changes to committee memberships:

Cllr Mahym Bedekova to replace Cllr Destiny Karakus on Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) and to serve as Chair.

Cllr Mahym Bedekova to replace Cllr Destiny Karakus on the Learning Disabilities Partnership Board.

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

In accordance with the guillotine arrangements in the Council Procedure Rules, the following changes to committee memberships were noted:

Cllr Mahym Bedekova to replace Cllr Destiny Karakus on Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) and to serve as Chair.

Cllr Mahym Bedekova to replace Cllr Destiny Karakus on the Learning Disabilities Partnership Board.

To confirm the following changes to outside body memberships:

Cllr Destiny Karakus to replace Cllr Mahym Bedekova on Enfield in Bloom.

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

In accordance with the guillotine arrangements in the Council Procedure Rules the following changes to outside body memberships were noted:

Cllr Destiny Karakus to replace Cllr Mahym Bedekova on Enfield in Bloom.

Cllr Sabri Ozaydin to replace Cllr Susan Erbil as reserve member on Local London.

To note that the date of the next council meeting will be held on Wednesday 14 May 2025 at 7pm which will be Annual Council.

The date of the next meeting was NOTED as Wednesday 14 May 2025 which will be the Annual Council Meeting.