The Council of the London Borough of Enfield met on Wednesday, 21st January, 2026, to discuss a range of important issues. Key topics scheduled for consideration included the Council Tax Base for 2026/27, several motions proposed by councillors on diverse subjects, and the confirmation of committee memberships and nominations to outside bodies. The meeting also included time for questions from councillors to cabinet members.

Opposition Priority Business

The Opposition Group presented an issues paper titled Enfield Has No Confidence in This Enfield Labour Council . This paper outlined a series of criticisms regarding the council's performance over the preceding 16 years, covering areas such as borrowing, housing development, company performance, project spending, council tax support, street scene management, park maintenance, low traffic neighbourhoods, council tax increases, traveller site designations, police officer funding, green belt development, the local plan, and alleged scandals involving council members. The paper concluded with recommendations for the Leader and Cabinet to apologise and resign.

Council Tax Base Report 2026/27

A report was presented for Council approval regarding the Council Tax Base for the financial year 2026/27. The purpose of this report was to estimate the number of properties that would be liable for Council Tax, enabling the council to forecast income and issue appropriate bills for local services. The report recommended that the Council Tax Base for 2026/27 be set at 105,212 Band D equivalents, based on an assumed collection rate of 95.00%. The report also detailed the schedule of discounts and premiums that would remain unchanged from the previous year.

Motions

A series of motions were scheduled for discussion, covering a wide array of community concerns and policy proposals:

• Saving the Green Belt: Councillor Alessandro Georgiou proposed a motion for the Council to work with residents to protect Enfield's Green Belt from development, citing concerns about proposed new town plans involving the Mayor of London and the Government.
• Armed Forces Covenant: Councillor Chris Dey put forward a motion to ensure that no member of the Armed Forces community is forced to give up their military compensation to access welfare support, advocating for such compensation to be disregarded as income when assessing local benefits.
• Blue Badge Holder Exemptions for LTNs: Councillor Maria Alexandrou proposed that all Blue Badge holders be exempt from Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) in Enfield, arguing for equality and fairness for those with mobility issues.
• Men's Mental Well-being: Councillor Maria Alexandrou also proposed a motion to focus council support on men's mental well-being, in recognition of International Men's Day and Men's Health Month.
• Woodcroft Wildspace: Councillor Lee Chamberlain put forward a motion to ensure the continued future of Woodcroft Wildspace in its current form and to address commitments made to volunteers regarding funds.
• Shires Estate Tower Blocks: Councillor Lee Chamberlain also proposed a motion instructing the Housing Cabinet Member to set an immediate target date for the full decommissioning of the Shires Estate tower blocks, following a structural report identifying risks.
• Community Safety: Councillor Ergin Erbil presented a motion reaffirming the Council's commitment to working with partners to build and maintain safe communities, highlighting investments and initiatives aimed at reducing crime and anti-social behaviour. An amendment to this motion was received from Councillor Chris Dey, which called for the reinstatement of police officers previously defunded and congratulated community volunteers.
• Welcoming Migrant Communities: Councillor Ergin Erbil also proposed a motion to reaffirm Enfield's commitment to welcoming migrant and refugee communities, celebrating diversity, and signing the City of Sanctuary pledge.
• Climate Change and Schools: Councillor Mahym Bedekova put forward a motion to make all Enfield schools safe from extreme heat and other climate threats, seeking further funding and support to climate-proof schools.
• Macmillan Cancer Support: Councillor Alev Cazimoglu proposed a motion to send a letter of appreciation to Macmillan Cancer Support and to light up the Civic Centre in green to mark the organisation's 115th anniversary.
• Free School Meals: Councillor Ian Barnes put forward a motion welcoming the Government's extension of free school meals and committing to working in partnership to reduce child poverty and raise educational standards.
• Housing Crisis: Councillor Ayten Guzel proposed a motion to work with the Government to build more social and affordable homes, support housing reforms, and call for prioritised funding for high-need boroughs like Enfield.
• World Stroke Day: Councillor Doris Jiagge's motion, which was taken first among the motions, called for increased public awareness of stroke warning signs and risk reduction, ensuring access to timely specialist services, and supporting rehabilitation and community reintegration services. The motion also requested a future report detailing stroke incidence, outcomes, and service capacity in Enfield.

Committee Memberships and Nominations to Outside Bodies

The meeting was scheduled to confirm changes to committee memberships, specifically Councillor Andrew Thorp replacing Councillor Julian Sampson on the Staff Appeals, Appointment and Remuneration Committee. Additionally, changes to outside body memberships were to be confirmed, with Councillor Sabri Ozaydin replacing Councillor Alev Cazimoglu on the London Councils Grants Committee.

Date of Next Meeting

The date of the next meeting of the Council was noted as Thursday, 26th February, 2026.