The Cabinet of Haringey Council met on Tuesday 20 January 2026, approving the acquisition of 12 new council homes, a new policy to tackle single-use plastics, an updated damp and mould policy, and a new library strategy. The meeting also saw the approval of updated fees and charges, and significant investments in housing stock improvements and climate resilience.

Acquisition of 12 Council Homes at 67 Lawrence Road, London N15 4GL

The Cabinet approved the acquisition of the long leasehold interest in 12 flats at 67 Lawrence Road, London N15 4GL¹ for housing purposes. This acquisition is part of the council's pledge to acquire and build 3,000 council homes by 2031. The homes are expected to be of a good standard and align with the Greater London Authority's (GLA) design standards. The decision was made to secure these new council homes at a commercially advantageous price and to maintain momentum in providing affordable housing. The alternative of not acquiring the homes was rejected as it would have been a missed opportunity. Funding for the acquisition will be part-funded by GLA grant funding, with the option to use additional funding from the General Fund or Right to Buy (RTB) receipts. If RTB funding is used, leases will be granted to the Haringey Community Benefit Society (HCBS) to let these homes at Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates.

Single Use Plastics Policy and Action Plan

The Cabinet approved the Single Use Plastics (SUPs) Policy 2026 and its accompanying Action Plan. This policy outlines how the council will reduce SUPs within its own operations and across the borough. The decision supports the council's commitment to addressing the climate emergency, improving sustainability, and contributing to borough-wide carbon reduction targets. Reducing SUP consumption is expected to save money, reduce waste, improve the environment, and decrease the amount of harmful plastics ending up in oceans or landfill. The previous SUP policy, which ran from 2020 to 2022, successfully delivered various plastic reduction initiatives. The updated policy reflects changes in council practices post-COVID, as well as developments in national and regional legislation and best practice guidance from organisations like ReLondon and London Councils. The alternative of not updating the policy was rejected as it would leave the council with an outdated approach that did not align with current operational realities or policy landscapes.

Approval of Haringey Library Strategy 2026-30

The Cabinet approved the Haringey Library Strategy 2026-30, which sets out a vision for libraries as dynamic, inclusive, and indispensable community hubs. The strategy was developed through extensive engagement and consultation with residents, staff, and stakeholders, aiming to champion inclusion, inspire learning, strengthen community wellbeing, harness digital innovation, and embed sustainability. This decision fulfills the council's statutory duty under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 to provide a 'comprehensive and efficient' library service. The alternative of not adopting a strategy was rejected as it would leave the library service without strategic direction and undermine its statutory duty. The strategy aligns with the council's wider priorities for equality, opportunity, and sustainability.

Adopting an Updated Damp and Mould Policy

The Cabinet approved an updated Damp and Mould Policy, which sets out the council's approach to tenancy management for council tenants and their households. This policy helps the council meet the Social Housing Regulator's consumer standards, specifically the Tenancy Standard and the Transparency, Influence and Accountability Standard. The updated policy reflects the introduction of Awaab's Law² and new timescales for dealing with damp and mould hazards, mandating social landlords to investigate and fix hazards within set timeframes. The decision supports the council's commitment to providing safe, warm, and healthy homes and aligns with its Estate Renovation Plan, which aims to bring all council homes to the Decent Homes standard by 2028. The alternative of treating all damp and mould cases through the existing repairs process without a dedicated policy was rejected due to the expectation from government and residents for such a policy to be in place.

Fees and Charges - 2026/27

The Cabinet agreed the proposed non-statutory fees and charges to be levied by the Council with effect from 1 April 2026. This decision supports the council's ambition for a fairer and greener Haringey by collecting fees needed to maintain local public services. The council considered affordability alongside the need for investment, with most fees not rising above inflation. Some increases were implemented where prices were brought closer to the cost of service delivery to protect services long-term. Fees were also benchmarked against those charged by other similar boroughs, and in some cases, fees were lowered. Authority was delegated to the Director of Corporate Resources, in consultation with the Member for Finance and Corporate Services, to make any subsequent in-year changes or additions to the fees and charges.

Housing Revenue Account 2026/27

The Cabinet noted the Housing Revenue Account's (HRA) current financial position, which sets the foundation for the full draft budget for 2026/27 and the 2026/27–2030/31 Business Plan. The HRA faces significant pressure from inflation and high interest rates, impacting the cost of building and repairs. The council has taken steps to ensure its priorities are met while maintaining budget sustainability. The final HRA 2026/27 Budget and 2026/27–2030/31 Business Plan will be presented to Cabinet on 10 February 2026 for recommendation to the Full Council. The council is legally required to set a balanced HRA budget and have a sustainable HRA Business Plan to manage and maintain its homes, provide services, and build new council homes.

Haringey Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Action (CCARA) Plan

The Cabinet approved the draft 'Haringey Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Action Plan' to come into effect from January 2026. This plan accompanies Haringey's Climate Change Action Plan and addresses the impacts of climate change, such as excess deaths during heatwaves and storm damage, which have already affected residents. The plan frames climate adaptation as a primary public health intervention, led by Public Health professionals and drawing on data from the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA). It involves actions across planning, housing retrofit, procurement, community engagement, and public communications, resting on four interconnected pillars: intelligence, greener public spaces, communication campaigns, and partner collaboration. The decision supports national and regional recommendations for local authorities to develop adaptation plans and addresses local events like flash flooding and heatwaves. The alternative of not having a dedicated plan was rejected as it would put Haringey and its residents at further risk.

Housing Asset Management Multi-Disciplinary Consultants Contracts

The Cabinet approved the provisional award of Multi-Disciplinary Consultant (MDC) Contracts across four geographical lots to four separate successful bidders. These contracts support the delivery of a major works programme to the council's housing stock, committing £570m over the next 10 years to ensure all stock meets the Decent Homes Standard and achieves a minimum Energy Performance Rating (EPC) of B by 2035. The MDC contracts aim to maximise social value benefits, including employment, training, and local supply chain engagement. The award is for a period of 12 years with a 5-year break clause. The alternative of procuring MDC services individually was rejected as it would limit opportunities for co-production and social value. Retaining the existing framework agreement was also considered but deemed less beneficial than a new procurement process. Delivering the services in-house was not viable due to a lack of staffing structure and expertise.

Housing Related Support Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Pathway

The Cabinet approved the award of contracts for the provision of Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) support services to successful tenderers for a period of six years, commencing 1 April 2026. The total maximum value of the contracts over their full duration is £3,029,958 across three separate contracts. The services are designed to provide victim/survivors and their children with the best possible start to recovery and to live a life where they can thrive, addressing intersectional needs based on race, ethnicity, age, LGBTQ+ identities, and immigration status. The Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) coordination function will be brought in-house. The alternative of delivering all services in-house was rejected as it could jeopardise victim/survivor engagement and the council lacked the infrastructure for culturally appropriate services. The do nothing option was discounted due to the council's statutory duty to provide safe accommodation and support.

Stamford Hill Primary School Added to the New Homes Programme

The Cabinet approved the addition of the former Stamford Hill Primary School site to the Council's Housing Delivery Programme. This decision supports the council's commitment to building at least 3,000 new council homes at council rents by 2031, with plans to build 130-150 council homes on the site. This move prioritises freed-up public land for affordable housing, addressing the housing crisis and providing genuinely affordable homes for residents. The alternative of not including the site was rejected as it would undermine the council's home-building targets. Disposing of the site to a private developer was also rejected as it could reduce the number of affordable homes built.

Tower Gardens - Major Works

The Cabinet approved the award of a contract to Tenderer A for the proposed Major Works Programme for 77 properties on the Tower Gardens Estate. The contract sum has a total value of £3,399,871.00. This initiative represents a significant investment in tenanted housing stock, aiming to enhance long-term sustainability, safety, and quality. Planned improvements include roof and window replacements, structural repairs, health and safety upgrades, external fabric repairs, redecorations, and energy efficiency upgrades. The works align with the Haringey Deal priorities and have been shaped by extensive resident engagement and feedback from the council's conservation team. The alternative of doing nothing was rejected due to the risk of reputational damage and significant financial consequences. Including the project within the partnering contracts was also ruled out due to the urgency of the works required to address structural issues and upgrade poor-performing elements.

Minutes of Other Bodies

The minutes of other bodies were noted.

Significant and Delegated Actions

The list of significant and delegated decisions was noted.