This week in Enfield:

Council Examines Crime Trends and Community Safety

The Healthy and Safe Communities Scrutiny Panel reviewed crime statistics, safeguarding measures, and social care initiatives at its meeting this week. Healthy and Safe Communities Scrutiny Panel The panel also discussed the progress of Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) contracts aimed at supporting vulnerable residents.

Crime on the Rise: Shop Theft and Drug Offences Increase

The Safer Stronger Communities Board (SSCB) Performance Report revealed a mixed picture of crime trends in Enfield.

• Overall increase: Total notifiable offences increased by 2.4%, driven by a surge in shop theft and theft from persons.
• Drug offences spike: Drug offences saw a significant 84% increase, attributed to proactive police activity in the Ponders End area.
• Knife crime: Enfield ranks 10th highest in London for knife crime offences, with 654 reported incidents.
• Targeted interventions: The Keeping Town Centres Safe this Summer Programme focused on areas like Silver Street Station and Fore Street in Upper Edmonton, aiming to reduce crime through increased resources and patrols.

Safeguarding Concerns Rise: Neglect a Key Factor

The Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report for 2024/25 highlighted an increase in safeguarding concerns referred to safeguarding adults processes.

• Increase in concerns: 3,564 concerns were raised, an increase of 467 from the previous year.
• Neglect: Alleged neglect and acts of omission were factors in 39% of enquiries.
• Focus on self-neglect: New guidance was developed for working with adults who self-neglect.

Adult Social Care: CQC Report Highlights Strengths and Areas for Improvement

The panel discussed the action plan developed following the Care Quality Commission (CQC) assurance visit to Enfield in December 2024, where Enfield received an overall rating of Good.

• Strengths: The CQC identified visible and accessible leaders, Direct Payments recognised as a national leader, and positive joint working with Public Health and partnerships with the NHS.
• Areas for improvement: The inspection highlighted waiting lists/backlogs, delays in organising advocacy, and inconsistent feedback from individual safeguarding cases.

Prevention and Early Intervention Contracts: Supporting Vulnerable Residents

The council appointed five Voluntary and Community Sector organisations to deliver PEI services to residents of Enfield, at a cost of £1,488,755 per annum.

• Aim: The contracts aim to prevent, reduce, or delay a person's need for more intensive health and adult social care services, fulfilling the council's statutory duties under the Care Act 2014.
• Services: The contracts cover supporting unpaid carers, promoting independence through information and advice, advocacy and inclusion, early intervention, and home from hospital support.

Housing Scrutiny Panel Focuses on Housing Standards and Resident Engagement

The Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny Panel met to discuss the Regulator of Social Housing inspection, the decommissioning of Cheshire House and Shropshire House, and the Big Door Knock initiative. Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny Panel

Top Marks for Housing Services

Enfield Council received a C1 grading from the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH), the highest possible grade, demonstrating full compliance with consumer standards.

• National recognition: Enfield is one of only four local authorities in England and Wales to have been awarded the top grade, and the first to receive it in 2025-2026.
• Challenges: Key challenges include housing demand pressures and developing workforce skills.
• Ambitions: The council aims to become the best landlord in London by 2027, manage mixed tenure estates, and use technology to enhance living experiences and safety.

Decommissioning Unsafe Housing: Cheshire House and Shropshire House

The council is progressing with the decommissioning and regeneration of Cheshire House and Shropshire House due to structural issues.

• Rehousing tenants: The council has rehoused 162 secure council tenancies, with two remaining.
• Acquiring leasehold properties: 35 of the 42 privately owned leasehold properties have been acquired, with seven yet to be acquired.
• Compulsory Purchase Orders: The cabinet approved the use of Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO) powers to acquire the remaining properties.
• Safety measures: Safety measures have been put in place, including removing piped gas supply, installing new electrical supply, removing asbestos, and fitting CCTV.
• Future development: The council intends to demolish the blocks and replace them with approximately 267 new homes.

Big Door Knock: Engaging with Residents

The Big Door Knock initiative saw council officers and councillors visit 720 housing blocks and knock on over 7,000 doors to gather feedback from residents.

• Positive response: The overall response to the Big Door Knock was very positive, with residents expressing gratitude for the initiative.
• Valuable data: The initiative collected valuable data on resident satisfaction, contact details, preferred communication methods, and key needs.
• Tenancy audit programme: As part of the audit for tenants in high rise blocks, person-centred fire risk assessments (PCFRAs) are undertaken, and Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans are created for high-risk tenants.

General Purposes Committee Discusses Audit, Fraud, and Data Protection

The General Purposes Committee addressed a range of topics, including external audit progress, contract procedure rules, and the council's counter fraud strategy. General Purposes Committee

Audit Committee Name Change Proposed

The committee considered a report recommending a change of name to Audit Committee, and adoption of new terms of reference aligned with guidance from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA).

• Focus on finance and risk: The proposed changes would narrow the committee's focus to finance and risk.
• Referral to Full Council: Proposed changes will be referred to Full Council for approval.

Contract Procedure Rules and Waivers

The committee discussed a report providing an update on contract procedure rules, waivers, and procurement services for 2024/25.

• Increased waiver volumes: While waiver volumes have increased, this is primarily due to improved tracking and greater transparency.
• Improvement actions: The report recommended actions to ensure tighter controls, stronger oversight, and improved value for money, including adoption of a statutory waiver framework aligned to the Procurement Act 2023.
• Waiver analysis: During 2024/25 there were 89 waivers approved, equating to a total contract value of £38 million, with £36 million relating to just two contracts: the Enforcement Agencies and the Children's Residential Care Home Service.

Counter Fraud Strategy and Response Plan

The committee considered the Counter Fraud Strategy and Response Plan for the period 2025-2028.

• Strategic aims: The strategy outlines three key strategic aims to address fraud and related offences: promote the council's counter fraud culture, pursue fraud detection and sanction capabilities, and progress the use of technology.
• Zero tolerance: The council reaffirms its zero-tolerance stance on fraud and supports a strong anti-fraud culture and good governance.

Data Protection Annual Report

The committee discussed a report providing an update on the role of the Data Protection Officer (DPO) and the council's data protection update and work plan for 2025-26.

• Increase in data breaches: The DPO investigated a total of 145 personal data breaches between April 2024 and March 2025, an increase of 39 breaches from the previous year.
• Mandatory training: The mandatory e-learning training module for all staff on data protection has a current compliance rate of 93%.

Safer Neighbourhood Board Discusses Community Safety Priorities

The Enfield Council Safer Neighbourhood Board met to discuss community safety issues, including updates from the police and the Head of Community Safety. Safer Neighbourhood Board

Police Briefing: Focus on Town Centres and Retail Crime

The board received a verbal update from the police, with a focus on town centres and retail crime.

• Town centre focus: A Home Office focus on town centres such as Southgate and Palmers Green, to tackle anti-social behaviour.
• Retail crime: Retail crime was an increasing priority, with a focus on shoplifting.
• Crime hotspots: A heatmap indicated that the highest crime areas were Edmonton, Enfield Town and Ponders End.

Upcoming Meetings

• The Bush Hill Park Ward Forum will meet on Wednesday 29 October 2025. Bush Hill Park Ward Forum
• The Planning Committee will meet on Tuesday 04 November 2025. Planning Committee
• The Jubilee Ward Forum will meet on Tuesday 04 November 2025. Jubilee Ward Forum
• The Licensing Sub-Committee will meet on Wednesday 05 November 2025. Licensing Sub-Committee
• The Cabinet will meet on Wednesday 05 November 2025. Cabinet

This week in Enfield:

Waste Strategy Approved Amidst Rising Costs

The Cabinet approved the North London Joint Waste Strategy (JWS) for 2025-2040, a plan to manage waste sustainably across seven north London boroughs. Cabinet While the strategy aims for ambitious environmental goals, including a 50% reduction in food waste and a 50% recycling rate, it also acknowledges rising costs, with whole-system expenses projected to increase from £100m to £111m by 2030.

• Why it matters: The JWS directly impacts residents through waste collection services, recycling programs, and the overall cleanliness of the borough. The strategy's success hinges on residents actively participating in waste reduction and recycling efforts.
• Financial burden: The projected cost increase raises concerns about potential impacts on council budgets and the possibility of increased fees for residents.
• Enfield's challenge: With a current recycling rate of 33% and 546 kg of residual waste per household, Enfield faces a significant challenge in meeting the strategy's ambitious targets.

Health Board Examines Community Support and Future Needs

The Health and Wellbeing Board met to discuss a range of issues, including updates from the Integrated Care Board (ICB), the role of community hubs, and the borough's pharmaceutical needs. Health and Wellbeing Board

Community Hubs: A Lifeline for Vulnerable Residents

The board heard about the work of community hubs in Enfield Town and Edmonton Green Libraries, which connect residents with support across managing money, jobs and skills, health and wellbeing, and housing stability.

• Real-world impact: A case study highlighted how the hubs helped a formerly incarcerated man avoid eviction and access community support.
• Health inequalities: The hubs address health inequalities through prevention and intervention, including pop-up health events, Coffee & Chat sessions, and partnerships with organizations like Cooperation Town to establish a food co-op in Edmonton Green.
• Impressive reach: From January to April 2025, the hubs supported over 15,000 resident enquiries and made thousands of referrals to various support services.

Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment: No Gaps Identified

The board approved the draft of the local Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment, which concluded that there are no current gaps in the provision of necessary pharmacy services in Enfield.

• Essential services: The assessment focused on essential services such as dispensing medicines, repeat dispensing, and promotion of healthy lifestyles.
• Future considerations: The assessment recommended that community pharmacy services play an important role in supporting GP practices and Primary Care Networks, and that commissioners should consider how to communicate about the availability of services with the population of Enfield.

Pension Fund Considers Investment Strategy

The Pension Policy & Investment Committee (PPIC) discussed a number of investment-related items, including a self-assessment against the Pensions Regulator’s code of practice, investment in gilts, private equity commitment, and a quarterly investment update. Pension Policy & Investment Committee

Private Equity Investment

The committee was asked to consider a \$20 million (approximately £14.9 million) commitment to Adams Street Partners' 2025 fund vintage.

• Underweight asset class: According to the report pack, the private equity asset class was underweight by 2.2%.
• Historically strong performance: The report pack stated that Adams Street Partners has historically been the fund's best performing manager over the past 5 years, returning 15% p.a. compared to the benchmark of 12%.
• Future changes: The report pack also noted that from April 2026, the UK Government intends that all LGPS investments should be made via their pooling partners, and for Enfield Council, this is the London CIV.

Investment in Gilts

The committee was asked to consider a recommendation to invest £30 million of surplus cash into the existing Aquila Life All Stocks UK Index-Linked Gilts portfolio with BlackRock.

• Surplus cash: The report pack noted that the fund currently holds approximately £68 million in cash, representing around 4% of the overall portfolio, against a target allocation of 0% for cash.
• Attractive investment opportunity: It was noted that recent market conditions have made UK gilts, particularly Index Linked Gilts, an attractive investment opportunity due to high yields and favourable inflation protection.

Licensing Sub-Committee Meeting Cancelled

The Licensing Sub-Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday 14 October 2025 was cancelled. Licensing Sub-Committee The sub-committee was scheduled to consider an objection to a temporary event notice for the House of Gaffe.

Planning Committee Meeting Cancelled

The Planning Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday 14 October 2025 was cancelled. Planning Committee

Cabinet and Health and Wellbeing Board Transcripts Unavailable

No transcripts or videos were provided for the Cabinet and Health and Wellbeing Board meetings.

Upcoming Meetings

• The Healthy and Safe Communities Scrutiny Panel will meet on Monday 20 October 2025 to discuss prevention and early intervention contracts, safeguarding, community safety performance, and the adult social care action plan. Healthy and Safe Communities Scrutiny Panel
• The Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny Panel will meet on Tuesday 21 October 2025 to discuss the Regulator of Social Housing inspection, decommissioning of Cheshire House and Shropshire House, and the Big Door Knock initiative. Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny Panel
• The General Purposes Committee will meet on Wednesday 22 October 2025. General Purposes Committee
• The Safer Neighbourhood Board will meet on Thursday 23 October 2025. Safer Neighbourhood Board
• The Overview & Scrutiny Committee will meet on Tuesday 28 October 2025. Overview & Scrutiny Committee
• The Bush Hill Park Ward Forum will meet on Wednesday 29 October 2025. Bush Hill Park Ward Forum

This week in Enfield:

Fairer Enfield Policy Aims to Tackle Inequality

The Equalities Board met to discuss the refreshed Fairer Enfield policy, a plan designed to make Enfield a fairer place for everyone. Equalities Board The draft policy, scheduled for approval at November Cabinet and Council meetings, outlines the council's commitment to promoting equality, celebrating diversity, and ensuring everyone feels included.

• Six key objectives: The policy highlights six focus areas where the council is taking action to reduce inequality in the borough, including ensuring equality and inclusion are central to how the borough grows, addressing health inequalities, reducing youth violence, enhancing workforce diversity, providing accessible services, and making equality part of everyday practice.
• Consultation feedback: A consultation on the draft policy revealed strong support for the objectives, with respondents highlighting the importance of equal access to services, engaging with diverse groups, and ensuring regeneration benefits existing communities.
• Policy changes: Following the consultation, officers made changes to the draft policy, including clarifying how the council will support residents to age well and providing digital training to improve residents' digital skills.

Equalities Board to Oversee Anti-Discrimination Efforts

The Equalities Board also discussed proposed changes to its Terms of Reference, solidifying its role in overseeing the council's processes to eliminate discrimination on the basis of protected characteristics¹. Equalities Board

• Protected characteristics: The board's focus includes monitoring the council's performance against equality legislation, acting as an advisory body for new policies, raising awareness of service user needs, and analyzing data to inform future practices.
• Work Programme 2025/26: The board agreed on a work programme for the coming year, including topics such as Fairer Enfield, domestic abuse, access to GPs and pharmacies, hate crime monitoring, voluntary community services, and housing inequality.

Schools Forum Meeting

The Schools Forum met this week. Schools Forum No transcript or video was provided for this meeting.

Upcoming Meetings

• The Pension Policy & Investment Committee will meet on Wednesday 15 October 2025 to discuss investment in private equity and gilts, and a proposed secondary sale of the council's holding in the M&G Inflation Opportunities Fund. Pension Policy & Investment Committee
• The Cabinet will meet on Wednesday 15 October 2025 to discuss the council's performance, waste management strategy, and the financial outturn of Housing Gateway Limited and Energetik. Cabinet
• The Health and Wellbeing Board will meet on Monday 13 October 2025 to discuss an update from the North Central London Integrated Care Board (ICB), a discussion of community hubs, an update on the Enfield Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy Action Plans, and a review of the draft Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment. Health and Wellbeing Board
• The Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny Panel will meet on Tuesday 21 October 2025 to discuss the Regulator of Social Housing inspection, decommissioning of Cheshire House and Shropshire House, and the Big Door Knock initiative. Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny Panel
• The Healthy and Safe Communities Scrutiny Panel will meet on Monday 20 October 2025 to discuss prevention and early intervention contracts, safeguarding, community safety performance, and the adult social care action plan. Healthy and Safe Communities Scrutiny Panel
• The General Purposes Committee will meet on Wednesday 22 October 2025. General Purposes Committee
• The Safer Neighbourhood Board will meet on Thursday 23 October 2025. Safer Neighbourhood Board
• The Licensing Sub-Committee will meet on Tuesday 14 October 2025 to discuss an objection to a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) for the House of Gaffe. Licensing Sub-Committee

This week in Enfield:

Licensing Sub-Committee Reviews Personal Licence Behind Closed Doors

The Enfield Council Licensing Sub-Committee met this week to review a personal licence, a decision that could impact the ability of a local business to sell alcohol. Licensing Sub-Committee The sub-committee moved into a closed session to discuss the review, meaning the public was excluded from hearing the details.

• Why it matters: Personal licences are essential for individuals who authorise alcohol sales in licensed premises. A review can result in suspension or revocation of the licence, affecting livelihoods and business operations.
• Lack of transparency: The decision to hold the discussion in private raises questions about transparency and public access to information regarding licensing decisions.

Approving Past Decisions: Avenue Club 2 and Antep Tas Firin

The sub-committee also approved the minutes from previous meetings where they had refused licensing applications for two local businesses: Avenue Club 2 and Antep Tas Firin.

Avenue Club 2 Denied Extended Hours

In April 2025, the sub-committee refused Avenue Club 2's application to extend its opening hours, citing concerns about the cumulative impact on licensing objectives.

• Council policy: Enfield's policy statement prioritizes the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, and the prevention of public nuisance when making licensing decisions.
• Club's efforts: Representatives for Avenue Club 2 stated they had invested in soundproofing and offered conditions to minimize disturbance to neighbours.

Antep Tas Firin Blocked from Late-Night Refreshments

In May 2025, the sub-committee refused a new premises licence for Antep Tas Firin to provide late-night refreshments until 3:30 am daily.

• Police concerns: The Police objected, stating the area was a high crime area and the late hours risked worsening the situation. They also mentioned immigration offences discovered during a visit to the premises.
• Licensing objectives: The sub-committee stated its decision promoted all four licensing objectives, particularly crime prevention, public safety, and preventing public nuisance.

Upcoming Meetings

• The Equalities Board will meet on Monday 06 October 2025 to discuss the Fairer Enfield policy, proposed changes to the board's terms of reference, and the board's work programme for the coming year. Equalities Board
• The Health and Wellbeing Board will meet on Monday 13 October 2025. Health and Wellbeing Board
• The Pension Policy & Investment Committee will meet on Wednesday 15 October 2025. Pension Policy & Investment Committee
• The Cabinet will meet on Wednesday 15 October 2025. Cabinet
• The Schools Forum will meet on Thursday 09 October 2025. Schools Forum