Cabinet - 16.9.2009

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE Cabinet
HELD ON Wednesday, 16 September 2009
COUNCILLORS
PRESENT / Michael Rye (Leader), Michael Lavender (Deputy Leader of the Council/Sustainable Communities & Employment & Place Shaping), Ertan Hurer (Finance & Resources), Jon Kaye (Leisure, Culture, Olympics 2012 & Voluntary Sector), Matthew Laban (Housing & Community Safety), Henry Pipe (Customer Focus, Communications and Corporate Improvement), Edward Smith (Adult Social Services) and Glynis Vince (Education & Children's Services)
ABSENT / Terence Neville OBE JP (Environment and Street Scene)
OFFICERS: / Rob Leak (Chief Executive), James Rolfe (Director of Finance and Corporate Resources), Ian Davis (Director of Environment and Street Scene), Ray James (Director of Health and Adult Social Care), Sue Foster (Director of Place Shaping and Enterprise), Andrew Fraser (Co Director of Education, Children's Services and Leisure), Neil Rousell (Co Director of Education, Children's Services and Leisure) and Asmat Hussain (Legal Services Manager) and Stephen Addison (Secretary)
Also Attending: / Councillors Pearce and Charalambous

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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Neville.

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DECLARATION OF INTERESTS

Councillor Vince declared a personal interest in Item Nos. 10 and 11 on Building Schools for the Future as she was a governor at Turin Grove School and her husband was a governor at Broomfield School.

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URGENT ITEMS

NOTED that the reports listed on the agenda had been circulated in accordance with the requirements of the Council’s Constitution and the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) (England) Amendment Regulations 2002. These requirements state that agendas and reports should be circulated at least 5 clear days in advance of meetings.

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DEPUTATIONS AND PETITIONS

NOTED that no requests for deputations (with or without petitions) had been received for presentation to this Cabinet meeting.

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ISSUES ARISING FROM THE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE/SCRUTINY PANELS

5.1Scrutiny Annual Work Programme 2009/10

Councillor Ann Marie Pearce introduced the report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (No.69) setting out the annual work programme for the Council’s Scrutiny Panels and Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

NOTED

  1. the addendum to the report setting out the comments made by the Corporate Management Board (CMB) on 8 September 2009.
  2. the success of Enfield’s Scrutiny Function, which had been recognised nationally as one of ten national hallmarks by the Home Office for effective partnership working in relation to its Crime and Safety Scrutiny function.
  3. that the forthcoming local and national elections may impact on the ability of panels to complete their work programmes.
  4. that Councillor Rye expressed his thanks to the Members and Officers involved in the Scrutiny function for their hard work in making Enfield a national beacon of good practice.

Alternative Options Considered: NOTED that no other options had been considered as the Overview and Scrutiny Committee was required, under the Council’s Constitution, to present an annual scrutiny work programme to Council for adoption.

RECOMMENDED TO THE COUNCIL that the Annual Scrutiny Work Programme 2009/10 be formally adopted having considered the comments of CMB and Cabinet.

Reason: To comply with the requirements of the Council’s Constitution.

(Key decision – reference number 2914)

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REVENUE MONITORING REPORT JULY 2009

Councillor Ertan Hurer (Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources) introduced the report of the Director of Finance and Corporate Resources (No.70) setting out the Council’s revenue budget monitoring position for 2009/10 based on information to the end of July 2009. The report indicated a potential overspend in 2009/10 of £950k. Work was in hand in departments to eliminate this predicted overspend.

NOTED

1.the July 2009 budget projection of a £950k overspend as set out in the report, and the work underway to reduce or eliminate this projected variance.

Alternative Options Considered: Not applicable.

Reason: To ensure that Members were aware of the projected budgetary position for the Authority, including all major budget pressures and underspends which had contributed to the present monthly position and that were likely to affect the final outturn.

(Key decision – reference number 2892)

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2008/09 PERFORMANCE OUTTURN REPORT

Councillor Henry Pipe (Cabinet Member for Customer Focus, Communications and Corporate Improvement) introduced the report of the Chief Executive (No.71) presenting the 2008/09 outturn data against all the corporate and partnership performance indicators.

NOTED

1.the progress made towards delivering the identified key priority indicators for Enfield;

2.that Councillor Hurer congratulated the Teams in Council Tax and Business Rates for continuing to maintain collection levels during the current economic downturn.

Alternative Options Considered: None.

Reason: To update Cabinet on the progress made against all key priority performance indicators for the Council and Enfield Strategic Partnership.

(Non-key)

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BARNET, ENFIELD AND HARINGEY JOINT COMMISSIONING STRATEGY FOR ADULT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Councillor Edward Smith (Cabinet Member for Adult Social Services) introduced the report of the Director of Health and Adult Social Care (No.72) proposing an agreement of an overarching Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Joint Commissioning Strategy for Adult Mental Health.

NOTED

  1. the view of Councillor Smith that this strategy marked a shift in the provision of services for people facing mental health problems away from institutional care which aimed to help people integrate into society.
  2. that the Adult Services Scrutiny Panel had considered the report and he agreed in principle with the issues that had been raised.
  3. the view of Cabinet that as part of the process to prepare the Local Development Framework (LDF), there was need for more helpful guidelines to be produced on the process for approving new care establishments in the borough.
  4. the comments made by Councillor Pearce at the meeting summarised below:

a.On 21st July Scrutiny formed a joint Health and Adult Social Services Panel to consider the draft Mental Health Strategy.

b.that Scrutiny supported the intention to extend the service to promote better mental health and wellbeing for all. She felt that for far too long the services have been geared solely to people with severe and enduring mental health, crisis management rather than prevention or early intervention

c.there were concerns at the current level of services which will need to be substantially increased. Scrutiny supported the intention to extend the service to promote better mental health and wellbeing for all.

d.before any consultation takes place, Scrutiny wanted to see a detailed transition plan/ business case. Consultation on an aspiration, will, in our opinion, prove unhelpful, especially in the light of previous strategies released by the NHS.

Alternative Options Considered: NOTED that the strategy sets out a case for change including identified gaps in services. It proposes an approach to commissioning mental health services that is in line with existing strategies.

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed:

1.to note the contents and approve the direction of travel set out in the Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Joint Commissioning Strategy for Adult Mental Health Services.

2.that the comments of Cabinet set out in (3) above be passed to the LDF Cabinet Sub Committee for further consideration.

Reason: The Strategy was intended to meet the government’s key objectives for the delivery of services to meet the needs of people with mental health problems and ensure that the best possible services are provided for our residents in Enfield for the next five years.

(Key decision – reference number 2898)

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ENFIELD'S LEGACY STRATEGY FOR THE 2012 LONDON OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC GAMES

Councillor Jon Kaye (Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture, Olympics 2012 and Voluntary Sector) introduced the report of the Co-Directors of Education, Children’s Services and Leisure (No.73) seeking approval to Enfield’s legacy strategy for the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

NOTED

  1. that Councillor Kaye highlighted the 5 key aims for Enfield set out in the report.
  2. the proposal to revise Aim No. 2 as follows:

a.Engage more young people in active sport by working with schools and colleges.

Alternative Options Considered: NOTED that alternative options had been considered as part of the strategies development and refined through the consultation process.

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed that

1.that Aim No. 2 be amended to read ”Engage more young people in active sport by working with schools and colleges.”

2.that subject to the amendment above, Enfield’s legacy strategy for the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games be approved;

3.the Co-Director for Education, Children’s Services and Leisure implement the action plan contained in the Strategy developing a multi agency and cross departmental approach to gaining as many benefits as possible for Enfield’s residents from the 2012 Games.

Reason: Enfield’s legacy strategy for the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games would allow better management and prioritisation of resources to help ensure the Council makes the most of the opportunity that London hosting the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games provides. It will assist in delivering some current objectives and will develop others that will ensure businesses, sports clubs and the sports and the cultural sectors benefit. Public consultation has strengthened the Strategy and has helped raise awareness with Businesses and the Sports and Voluntary sectors of the benefits that the Games will bring to London and the opportunities available.

(Key decision – reference number 2871)

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BUILDING SCHOOLS FOR THE FUTURE (BSF) STRATEGY FOR CHANGE PART 2

Councillor Mike Rye (Leader of the Council) introduced the report of the Co-Directors of Education, Children’s Services and Leisure (No.74) seeking approval to the Enfield Building Schools for the Future Strategy for Change Part 2.

NOTED

1. that the Cabinet welcomed the proposals detailed in the report to make the schools more energy efficient.

Alternative Options Considered: NOTED that the alternative option was not to pursue the Building Schools for the Future programme. However, this would mean that the Borough would not be able to access approximately £100m of funding for modernising its schools (section 4 of the report referred).

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed to approve the Enfield Building Schools for the Future (BSF) Strategy for Change Part 2 and if PfS suggests any changes to the document that the Leader of the Council is delegated authority to approve the changes.

Reason: In order to maximise investment in Enfield Schools in order to drive improvements in pupil achievement.

(Key decision – reference number 2890)

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BUILDING SCHOOLS FOR THE FUTURE (BSF) ACADEMY SPONSOR FOR TURIN GROVE SCHOOL

Councillor Mike Rye (Leader of the Council) introduced the report of the Co-Directors of Education, Children’s Services and Leisure (No.75) seeking approval to the choice of proposed Academy Sponsor for Turin Grove School.

NOTED

1. that the Cabinet welcomed the statement from the proposed academy sponsor/ Mayor for London that their aspiration was “To guarantee every student, who chooses not to further their education at school leaving age, a job opportunity with carer development prospects.”

Alternative Options Considered: NOTED that the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) team had explored the option of Turin Grove becoming a Trust School. However, the DCSF had made clear that it was seeking for Turin Grove to become an Academy. The risk was that if the Council did not make Turin Grove an Academy, DCSF would not approve the Council’s Strategy for Change Part 2 and therefore effectively stop Enfield’s BSF project.

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed to approve Academies Enterprise Trust and the London Development Agency as Academy Sponsor for Turin Grove School.

Reason: In order to maximise investment in Enfield Schools in order to drive improvements in pupil achievement.

(Key decision – reference number 2937)

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ENFIELD'S LOCAL IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (LIP) PROPOSALS REPORT FOR 2010-11

Councillor Michael Lavender (Deputy Leader of the Council/ Sustainable Communities & Employment) introduced the report of the Director of Environment and Street Scene (No.76) outlining Enfield’s Local Implementation Plan (LIP) Proposals for 2010-11, which described the Council’s plan for expenditure of grant funding, from Transport for London, in Enfield.

NOTED

1.that Members had lobbied hard to change the process for approving the LIP and the prescriptive approach taken by the previous Mayor. Members had approached the current Mayor Boris Johnson and his team and this appeared to have been successful as Enfield was the highest relative gainer in the recent LIP funding announcement.

Alternative Options Considered: NOTED the alternative options considered as detailed in section 5 of the report.

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed to approve

1.Enfield’s (LIP) Expenditure Proposals for 2010-11 in principle;

2.delegation to the Cabinet Member for Environment and Street Scene of authority to approve the final version of Enfield’s Local Implementation Plan (LIP) proposals for 2010-11, for submission to Transport for London by 21 September 2009.

Reason: The recommendations were seeking the necessary approvals that would enable Enfield’s Local Implementation Plan (LIP) funding proposals for 2010-11 to be submitted to Transport for London.

(Key decision – reference number 2913)

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CONSERVATION AREA REVIEW - PHASE III

Councillor Terence Neville (Cabinet Member for Environment and Street Scene) introduced the report of the Director of Place Shaping and Enterprise (No.77) relating to the Conservation Area Review Phase III – boundary amendments to existing conservation areas and an additional new conservation area.

NOTED

1.the view of Cabinet that there was a need for more communication between departments before the Fore Street, Edmonton Conservation Area would be ready to proceed.

Alternative Options Considered: There are none that would satisfy the above objectives.

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed that

1.the proposed boundary amendments be approved and immediately designated for Church Street Edmonton, Clay Hill, Enfield Lock, Forty Hill, Ponders End Flour Mills, Southgate Green, Turkey Street and Winchmore Hill Green Conservation Areas and the revised Character Appraisals for each be approved;

2.the proposed Abbotshall Avenue Conservation Area be immediately designated and the Character Appraisal and Management Proposals be approved;

3.not to change the Fore Street, Edmonton Conservation Area at this time to enable further communication between departments to be undertaken.

4.the Director of Place Shaping and Enterprise be instructed to receive representations from the public and stakeholders on the boundary amendments and designations together with the Character Appraisals and Management Proposals under 1 and 2 and report them to Cabinet;

5.the Director of Place Shaping and Enterprise be instructed to receive representations on the proposed de-designation of part of the Highlands Conservation Area together with a revised draft Character Appraisal but that the designation and planning controls should remain in place pending a future decision by Cabinet;

6.the Director of Place Shaping and Enterprise report to Cabinet any representations received under 4 for decision on the proposed de-designation.

Reason: The identification of potential conservation areas was a duty under s 69 (1) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. The review of existing conservation areas was a duty under s 69 (2) of the above Act. The areas proposed for designation were compatible with the level of heritage resources and staffing available at present (section 5 of the report referred).

(Key decision – reference number 2756)

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SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN POST LAMING REPORT ON BABY PETER

Councillor Glynis Vince (Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services) introduced the report of the Co-Directors of Education, Children’s Services and Leisure (No.78) providing an update on the arrangements in place to safeguard children and young people in Enfield.

NOTED

1.that Councillor Vince highlighted the eight key strengths identified by the Inspectors during their unannounced inspection in July 2009.

2.that Councillor Rye welcomed the report, but stressed that the Council could not be complacent, needed to continue to be diligent in this work and retain financial reserves to deal with increased numbers of referrals.

Alternative Options Considered: NOTED the fragility of the current safeguarding staffing arrangements had been recognised in both internal review and external audit as jeopardising the ability of the London Borough of Enfield to provide a safe, good quality service. In these circumstances a sustained increase in capacity was seen as the only appropriate response and represents prudent risk management by the Council.

DECISION: The Cabinet

1.noted the contents of the report;

2.agreed to approve that the £500k contingency funds are made available with immediate effect to allow the development of sufficient capacity to deliver a sustainable and effective social work service to children and families;

3.acknowledged the risks and pressures inherent in this high profile area of the Council’s responsibilities;

4.commended the work of the social work referral and assessment services in achieving a very positive unannounced inspection;

5.agreed to endorse the approach the department was taking to ensure on-going capacity through the recruitment and retention of these key staff.

Reason: As detailed in the report.

(Key decision – reference number 2946)

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REVISED HOUSING CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2009/10

Councillor Matthew Laban (Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Safety) introduced the report of the Director of Place Shaping and Enterprise (No.79) seeking agreement to the proposed revised Housing Capital Programme to take account of the additional funds available and recommending the extended capital programme to Council.