The Overview & Scrutiny Committee of Enfield Council was scheduled to meet on Wednesday, 19 November 2025, to discuss the council's financial outlook, and its work programme. Councillors were also scheduled to review the minutes of their previous meeting.

Financial Update and Medium-Term Financial Plan

The committee was scheduled to receive a report from Neil Goddard, Head of Financial Strategy, regarding the council's financial position. The report, titled Finance Update – 2025/26 Forecast and Medium-Term Financial Plan, was to provide an update on the council's financial resilience for the current financial year, as well as current assumptions for 2026/27.

The report stated that the 2025/26 net revenue budget was set at £353.7 million, in what it called a continuingly challenging economic environment. It noted a gap in the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) of £25.0 million in 2026/27, and £63.4 million for the period covering 2026/27 to 2029/30.

The report highlighted pressures on the General Fund Revenue, forecasting a £7.5 million overspend, which it said was primarily driven by sustained demand in adult social care, children's services, and the provision of temporary accommodation. It also noted that the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) was facing an in-year overspend of £4.5 million, resulting in a £21.9 million deficit. The report stated that strategies were being implemented to manage demand, including:

• Demand management
• Contract reviews
• Workforce planning
• Placement Sufficiency Strategy
• National Placement Policy and TA accommodation strategy to address homelessness
• Care leaver support
• Regional collaboration
• Cost control panels
• Capital investment to replace high-cost vehicles

The report also mentioned that the government is proposing to change how funding is allocated to councils through the Fair Funding 2.0 review¹.

Work Programme 2025/26

The committee was scheduled to note the Overview & Scrutiny Committee Work Programme 2025/26. The work programme included a number of topics for future meetings, including:

• Treasury Management Strategy
• Budget Consultation
• Local Plan & New Homes
• Meridian Water Update
• Successful Bidding for Funding & Grants
• ICT with a focus on Customer Service

The committee had previously requested updates on the Meridian Water project², including progress made in the past 12 months, the current situation, and what things will look like in the future. They also requested information on the housing mix and planned infrastructure updates.

Minutes of Previous Meeting

The committee was scheduled to agree the minutes of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee Call-In meeting held on 9 September 2025. During that meeting, the committee had discussed the Scrutiny Annual Work Programmes 2025/26, and Council Owned Trading Companies, including Housing Gateway Ltd (HGL) and Energetik. Councillor Ergin Erbil, Leader of the Council, had provided an update on Energetik and HGL, and had stated that both companies were in a strong and stable position.