Agenda item

To receive a report from the Director of Finance, Resources & Customer Services outlining a Call-In received for consideration by Overview & Scrutiny on the following reason: (Report No 102).

Decision by Cabinet (19 October 2016) in respect of The Development of Edmonton Cemetery.

Cabinet Decision included on Publication of Decision List No: 34/16-17 Key Decision KD4234 (List Ref: 8/34/16-17) issued on Friday 21 October 2016.

It is proposed that consideration of the Call-In be structured as follows:

·         Brief outline of reasons for the Call-In by representative(s) of the Members who have called in the decision.

·         Response to the reasons provided for the Call-In by the Cabinet Members responsible for taking the decision.

·         Debate by Overview & Scrutiny Committee and agreement on action to be taken.

The Chair invited Councillor Laban to present the reasons for Call-In.

Councillor Laban said there has been a long time desire to expand the cemetery and there had been various press reports.  She highlighted the key issues as follows:

• This decision would mean that 10 of the 14 current tennis courts at the   location (by the A10), would be removed. This would mean the removal of free sports facilities for the borough.
• At the last meeting of Overview and Scrutiny Committee concerns were raised regarding the general health of the public and the high obesity rates in Enfield especially for children.  This is particularly so in poorer areas, and Edmonton is one of the poorest constituencies in London.  The proposal goes against the ‘Move More’ Enfield campaign. 
• Although the report refers to a sum of £250,000 being invested into the development of the remaining courts and other tennis sites in Enfield, this is not a vast sum of money and it will mean people will have to go a further distance to reach other tennis courts.  The current condition of the courts,  at this location are in a poor state of repair especially compared to others in the borough. Councillor Laban questioned whether this was intentional.
• The Council is borrowing at unprecedented levels and the decision includes capital investment, which would mean interest charges would need to be paid.
• The study to measure usage of the tennis courts was taken in May and early June, however the busiest time that tennis courts are used is during the Wimbledon tournament period.
• Although reference was made in the report to one of the reasons the tennis courts not being used more was due to their location near to the A10, this is contrary to a recent decision made for an artificial football pitch at Enfield Playing Fields adjacent to the A10.
• If the tennis courts were not being used then the Public Health team and Leisure teams should have questioned why this was the case.
• The Council is looking at borrowing high levels of funding and the decision does not explore the longer term idea of looking for cemetery space outside of the borough which may be a cheaper option for the future. She referred to the use of Trent Park cemetery for LB Islington.
• Demand levels may change in the future as demographics and people’s choices change.
• We will be losing 10 tennis courts for some of our poorer people.
• The decision has not looked at enough alternatives.
• There has been no consultation with residents

Councillor Laban requested that the decision be referred back to Cabinet for reconsideration of the available options.

The Chair invited Councillor Fonyonga (Cabinet Member for Community Safety & Public Health) and Councillor Anderson (Cabinet Member for Environment) to respond.  Their comments are given as follows:

Councillor Fonyonga -

• Councillor Fonyonga said she agreed with Councillor Laban that at the last business meeting of Overview and Scrutiny, obesity was raised as an area of concern and especially childhood obesity.  She said it is a subject that we are prioritising and we are therefore careful in the decisions we are taking.  It is therefore intended to invest £250K into existing tennis facilities in the borough and also to support the development of this sport across the borough.  .
• She said by looking at the number of people using the (A10) tennis courts, it was found that only 4 courts were being used, therefore by removing 10 of the courts this should have little effect on participation rates.
• Cllr Fonyonga would prefer tennis courts to be used throughout the year and the best way of achieving this is by securing investment for the sport. This proposal is supported by Sports England and the Lawn Tennis Association. She said she was confident that this will increase participation and encourage more people to take up exercise as part of the ‘Move more’ campaign.

Councillor Levy requested clarification on when the survey was undertaken to measure usage of the tennis courts at this location.   It was confirmed that an independent survey was undertaken in May and June with a further follow up by officers in August.

Councillor Anderson –

• The survey showing participation rates are relevant for the whole year and not just for the Wimbledon tournament period.
• This decision/ report is about the expansion of Edmonton Cemetery.
• The capital investment is not new, it is being redirected from existing approved resources and will not lead to additional financial pressures and is good for the borough.
• When looking at the location of the cemetery and costs for land, it should be remembered that the demand for spaces is coming from within the borough. The cost of land is very expensive either for residential land or for green belt land which would also entail planning issues. He said we are trying to deal with problems of land requirements for the forthcoming years.
• The proposals for the cemetery will also allow greater choice to be available.  He said we have to try to meet the demands of our community at the best value and this is what we are doing. This decision will allow us to meet demand, it will also bring in a revenue stream and will make best use of our tennis courts.

The following questions/ comments were then taken from Members of the Committee

Councillor Keazor welcomed the comments from the Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Public Health on how it is intended to make best use of resources for the improvement of tennis courts /facilities in the borough. She was pleased that in respect of cemetery facilities we would be looking to provide for the needs of our diverse community. 

Q: How often are the tennis court facilities being used and are they used more during the summer holidays?

A: The survey of tennis court usage was undertaken in May, which also included the half term holiday. Further visits were carried out in the last three weeks of the school holidays, which showed a limited number of courts were being used (1 or 2 courts being used at one time).  Some users of the courts were asked for their comments and they said they were happy with the courts provided. It was noted that people were more inclined to use tennis courts provided in parks than those located at other locations.

Councillor Smith commented that the Council wants to remove the 10 tennis courts at this location because of the demand for cemetery space.  It is necessary to balance the loss of this facility to the community, with the potential to make approximately £4 to £5 million over a 20 year period for the cemetery space.  However this would only be for approximately another 1700 plots and far more space would be needed for the future.  Also we need to know what sort of tennis facility is to be provided on the remaining site and what changes are anticipated for other sites.

Councillor Fonyonga did not agree that the proposals would be a loss for the community.  The report outlines the various measures/ proposals for courts which includes the enhancement of the existing 4 courts and investment in other courts. Also there is to be an outreach programme to encourage people to take up tennis as coaching would be provided. 

Q: In future how would you measure whether the investment of funds for tennis has been successful?

A: We should be able to see a higher use made of tennis courts. Sport England would require that we are able to show this through surveys undertaken.

Q: What is the timescale for the project?

A: We would be looking at development of the cemetery in approximately 18 months to 2 years’ time. 

Councillor Simon commented that when he cycles past the tennis courts on the A10 the courts are hardly used, he thought 4 courts should satisfy demand.

The Chair commented that there had been concerns raised at the loss of facilities however, the Lawn Tennis Association and Sports England have been involved in proposals.

Councillor Laban did not wish to make any further comments

Councillor Anderson said the Council was looking at the best investment going forward for this site.

The Committee then voted on the decision as follows:

Councillors Simon, Abdullahi, Keazor and Levy voted in favour of the above decision. 

Councillors Smith and Hayward abstained. 

The Chair CONFIRMED the decision.