The Leader of the Council, Councillor Caliskan will outline the Cabinet priorities for 2020/21.
Minutes:
The Chair invited the Leader of the Council, Cllr Nesil Caliskan to out-line the Cabinet Priorities for the coming year.
The Leader emphasised that as we meet in the context of a global pandemic, Covid-19 must remain a focus in the Local Plan. The Leader also paid tribute to the many staff members in Enfield for their response to the current situation.
There remains a degree of instability as a result of unclear funding from Central Government, with a £40m loss in income and Council Tax.
Commissioned in late 2019, The Council Plan contains 3 main themes:
Good Homes in Well Connected Neighbourhoods – In addition to more council/social housing, the existing stock will be redeveloped, for example, the Joyce and Snells scheme. Housing will be increased on sites such as Alma Road and Meridian Water. The Council will look to support this growth with grants from Central Government and The Mayor of London.
Safe, Healthy and Confident Communities – The Council will consider the youth offer, post covid-19, reviewing courses and activities available. With a growing, older population, The Council will plan for both independent living and care homes.
An Economy that Works for Everyone – Skills academies will be established, providing training to a high-level. Grants are available from the GLA to support town centres and the plans for Enfield Town will be rolled out. In tackling inequality, the Government will be lobbied for more resources and powers. Working in partnership with the NHS, The Council are pressing for a primary care facility on the North Middlesex Hospital site.
Cllr Ian Barnes, Deputy Leader of the Council provided additional information on council priorities.
The Climate Change Task Force has developed the Enfield Climate Action Plan 2020, and now a section on Climate Change considerations must be included in all council reports. All council buildings will have renewable energy within the coming year. The Enfield Chase Restoration Project will see 100,000 trees planted, off-setting carbon reductions. 2 low traffic neighbourhood schemes are in place with another 12 being developed. The Council will consider how to change staff behaviours relating to travel. There will be a 47% reduction in energy consumption with the introduction of new street-lights. There will be 250 electric charging points in the borough by 2025.A film studio is being developed in Enfield, with the possibility of another 3 in the future. Young people will be encouraged to join the film industry as a career.
Ian Davis, Chief Executive Officer, provided information relating to Enfield on a regional and local basis. Enfield has been involved in much work at a pan-London level and it is noted how well the staff from Enfield have responded to London needs and not only the needs of Enfield. Enfield are part of the London Transition Management Group, working along-side the NHS and other public sector bodies to manage the on-going crisis and recovery plans. Our Outbreak Control Plan has been developed and is one of 5 in the North Central London Sector (with Haringey, Barnet, Islington and Camden).
Locally, the budget continues to be an issue, as with all boroughs currently. Further clarity from Central Government is required in order to address losses in income and council tax relief.
In planning for returning to the office or continued working from home, The Council’s primary care is maintaining staff safety. The Building the Change Programme will lead on how our needs will be met. There are opportunities for savings, improving customer service and achieving a better work /life balance.
With the potential for a second wave of Covid-19, the Council are planning with colleagues at a national, regional and local level. The Council, in conjunction with the North Middlesex Hospital are looking at potential effects on the BAME community.
Economic recovery is being planned, particularly around town centres.
The Chair thanked Cllr Caliskan, Cllr Barnes and Ian Davis and acknowledged the amount of planning and work being undertaken, which will allow OSC to devise their work programme for the year.
Committee Members provided the following comments:
With the new structure for scrutiny now in place, each Panel must decide its own work programme and OSC must scrutinise the purpose of the Council priorities.
As a result of covid-19, staff are working at home and therefore virtual meetings are being held. This isn’t satisfactory and there should be encouragement to return to face to face meetings and getting people back in the workplace which would in turn aid the economic recovery in town centres.
The work on developing a local film industry was praised.
There was a discussion relating to the provision of meat at Council events. It was clarified that only one menu had been altered and as 60% of green house gasses are generated via meat production, Enfield residents would be encouraged to eat less meat.