To receive a report from the Meridian Water Scrutiny Workstream 2019/20. A response to the report is also included from the Leader of the Council and Meridian Water Programme Director; together with points of accuracy to the report provided by the Programme Director.

Members are asked to note the report and responses; and, agree that its recommendations be monitored by the Regeneration and Economic Development Scrutiny Panel.

1) The Monitoring Officer gave a brief over-view of the procedure relating to scrutiny workstream reports and confirmed that the Meridian Water report will be on the Cabinet agenda.

2) Cllr Achilleas Georgiou, Lead Member of the Meridian Water Scrutiny Workstream introduced the report and thanked Workstream Members and Officers for their support throughout the scrutiny process.

3) It was reiterated that the Workstream would like to see 10,000 homes and 6,000 jobs to be realised and the purpose of the report was to see how this would be achieved and how the people of Edmonton would benefit.

4) It was confirmed that all the findings within the report were evidence based, with a reference point of 2018 onwards. The areas highlighted included; number and size of homes, parks and recreation land, building heights, overseas and private investors, buy to rent, public transport, number and type of jobs created.

5) The report concluded with 14 recommendations and suggestions for future work.

6) The Leader of the Council and the Programme Director Meridian Water had responded to the initial report, with a letter and supporting appendices, challenging a number of assertions.

7) Cllr Georgiou requested to table a response from Workstream Members  to The Leader’s letter, however, this was not accepted by the Chair as it did not meet the requirements of the rules of access to information, as it had not been listed on the agenda to be tabled.

8) The Chair asked The Leader and Programme Director to respond to the findings and recommendations within the scrutiny workstream report.

The Leader noted that the Master Developer Role is a positive direction and allows Enfield Council to develop the site for the borough and specifically the people of Edmonton. As the Master Developer, it will be possible to control private investment and mass overseas sales. The first site within the development will achieve 50% affordable housing, with the 2^nd site providing 100% affordable housing. 6,000 quality jobs will be created, with no less than 25% of theses for local people.

The meanwhile use of the site will provide a vibrant facility and employment opportunities. Density levels will be comparable with other zone 2/3 developments in London and all residents will only be a few minutes walk from good quality greenspace.

The Leader concluded by emphasising the important role of scrutiny and the need to use the evidence widely available.

9) The Chair asked Cllr Georgiou how consistent the Workstream had been in their work and collating their findings. In response it was noted that the report provided a chronological order for evidence gathering.

10) At this point, due to technical issues, The Chair, Cllr Susan Erbil had to leave the meeting and Cllr Greer as Vice Chair assumed the role of Chair temporarily. 

11) A discussion relating to density comparisons with local wards and the proposals for Meridian Water indicated that the figures for Meridian Water gave a higher density, however, the Programme Director confirmed that this was comparable to other developments across London.  

12) It was agreed that a category noted within the Minority Groups paragraph would be altered.

13) Cllr Susan Erbil re-joined the meeting and resumed the Chair, thanking Cllr Greer.

14) Members of OSC agreed that the Regeneration and Economic Development Scrutiny Panel would take this work forward, monitoring the implementation of the recommendations from the report.

15) A comment was made that the report had clearly involved a lot of work and was very useful as an analysis of how, why and when. A concern was noted that affordable housing rates may not be within the reach of many households in Edmonton.

16) The Programme Director for Meridian Water responded to a number of points raised; The Council do not set property market values. Market value is set by housing partners, having regard for sale values in the local area. Affordable rented homes will be available for everyone in the Edmonton area, with private housing cross-subsidising affordable housing. Public transport links will be improved with the Department of Transport giving approval for 6 trains per hour, serving Meridian Water Station by 2023.

17) In relation to consultation, many councillors had attended briefing sessions but this had been impeded by the pandemic situation. More events were being planned, with constant, open dialogue with local people.

18) Cllr Greer, as Chair of the Regeneration and Economic Development Scrutiny Panel, noted that the work programme for the panel would identify a suitable date to have this item on the agenda. Cllr Greer also commented that the Regeneration and Economic Development Scrutiny Panel would move the topic forward for the benefit of local residents.

19) In summary, Cllr Georgiou agreed with Cllr Greer and stated that the report recognised the achievements to date but had highlighted areas of concern, following a fully evidenced, deep-dive as recommended by the Centre for Public Scrutiny in their report relating to scrutiny in Enfield.

20) The Chair, thanked Cllr Georgiou and the Workstream Members for the report and noting its passage through OSC, passed the item to the Regeneration and Economic Development Scrutiny Panel for further monitoring. Any further questions would be emailed to Cllr Georgiou or Cllr Greer as appropriate. The Chair thanked The leader and Programme Director for attending.