The Cabinet of Enfield Council met on Wednesday 17 January 2024, discussing the council's performance, approving a new domestic abuse policy, and agreeing to a significant medium-term financial plan that includes a Council Tax increase. Key decisions also involved noting financial monitoring reports and approving budget reductions.

Quarterly Corporate Performance Report

The Cabinet received the Quarterly Corporate Performance Report for the second quarter of 2023-24, highlighting progress against the Council Plan 2023-26 priorities. Councillor Ergin Erbil, Deputy Leader of the Council, introduced the report, noting improvements in recycling rates and the reduction of fly-tipping incidents. Councillor Susan Erbil was thanked for her work on improving planning application performance. The report also indicated a record high in the percentage of care leavers in education, employment, or training. Members sought further details on actions to address childhood obesity rates in schools.

Decision: The Cabinet agreed to note the progress being made against the key priority indicators for Enfield.

Housing Services Domestic Abuse Policy 2023-2026

Councillor George Savva MBE, Cabinet Member for Social Housing, presented the new Housing Services Domestic Abuse Policy 2023-2026, seeking its approval for publication and implementation. The policy addresses the concerning increase in domestic abuse incidents within Enfield, including those affecting council housing tenants. The Council's commitment to ending domestic abuse, supported by its White Ribbon Accreditation, was reiterated. Domestic abuse was acknowledged as a significant factor contributing to homelessness and impacting children. The policy aims to meet legal duties, establish clear standards, prioritise victim safety, and ensure responsive, coordinated services. Members were assured of the Council's zero-tolerance approach to perpetrators and its continued commitment to White Ribbon accreditation standards. Further details were provided on support for children affected by domestic abuse.

Decision: The Cabinet agreed to approve the Housing Services Domestic Abuse Policy 2023-2026. This was a key decision, referenced as number 5674.

Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Period 8 Forecast Outturn Report 2023-24

Councillor George Savva MBE, Cabinet Member for Social Housing, provided an update on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Period 8 forecast outturn for 2023-24. The report highlighted ongoing investment in building safety, property decency, and the new homes programme. It also noted the continued impact of cost pressures and inflation, particularly on construction projects. Advice was given on steps to prevent further overspending on the HRA budget, including measures for responsive repairs management. Progress on the decanting of residents from Walbrook, Shropshire, and Cheshire Houses was also noted.

Decision: The Cabinet agreed to note the Period 8 forecast outturn position for 2023/24 for both revenue and capital.

2023/24 Capital Programme Financial Monitoring Report as at 31 October 2023

Councillor Tim Leaver, Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement, introduced the report providing an update on the 2023/24 capital programme. The report was broadly in line with intentions reviewed at the November 2023 Council meeting. In response to queries regarding Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in school buildings, officers confirmed that all Enfield schools had been checked, with RAAC found in only one, and funding negotiations were underway. Cabinet approval was anticipated in the coming months for the Mental Health Hub provision, a manifesto commitment.

Decision: The Cabinet agreed to note the following:

• Full year forecast capital expenditure for 2023/24 is £242.5m, including £115.5m for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), £69.3m for Meridian Water, and £17.6m for Companies.
• Actual capital expenditure from the beginning of the year to 31 October is £77.4m, representing 32% of the full-year forecast. The largest General Fund variances to forecast are within Meridian Water and Companies.
• Budget reductions of £5.5m and grant/Section 106 funded growth of £1.4m were made in Period 8.
• The forecast for borrowing in 2023/24 to deliver the capital programme is £139.0m (£16.5m for core services, £50.0m for Meridian Water, £15.5m for Companies loan drawdowns, and £57.0m for HRA).
• HRA and Companies forecasts are reported in separate papers on the meeting agenda.

2023/24 Treasury Monitoring Report as at 23 November 2023

Councillor Tim Leaver, Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement, presented the report on the Council's Treasury Management function activities for the eight months ending 30 November 2023. The report highlighted the economic context of inflation and rising interest rates. Attention was drawn to the maturity structure of the Council's debt portfolio, noting that borrowing had been conducted prudently and on a long-term basis. Officers confirmed that the Council was meeting its capital financing targets. It was also confirmed that submission of this paper to the full Council was not required.

Decision: The Cabinet agreed to note the Treasury Management monitoring report.

Medium Term Financial Plan (2024/25 to 2028/29)

Councillor Tim Leaver, Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement, introduced the report outlining the Council's budget, projected budget gap, and proposed savings. The economic context and government funding decisions were highlighted. It was confirmed that the budget for 2024/25 is balanced, contingent upon the implementation of proposed savings, a Council Tax increase, a review of the Council Tax Support Scheme, and grant funding for Adult Social Care. Members' queries focused on the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement, with confirmation that Enfield was not considered to be fairly funded. Councillor Leaver and the officers involved were thanked for their work in addressing the budget gap.

Decision: The Cabinet agreed to:

• Note that the budget has been balanced for 2024/25, subject to:
  • The recommended Council Tax increase.
  • The implementation of recommended Council Tax Support scheme changes.
  • Approval and achievement of further recommended savings and income proposals.
• Note the intention to increase Council Tax by 4.99% (2.99% core and 2.00% Adult Social Care Precept) for 2024/25, the maximum allowable without breaching referendum limits.
• Note the forecast budget gap of £85.763m across the entire period covered by the medium-term financial plan, with £25.375m of this in 2025/26.
• Note that while the 2024/25 budget is balanced subject to the points above, there is an increased forecast overspend of approximately £29m for 2023/24 (this figure is indicative).
• Note the details announced in the Chancellor's Autumn Statement (22nd November 2023) and the Local Government Policy statement (5th December 2023).
• Note the outcome of the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement as described in paragraph 7 of the report.
• Note that the smaller Business Rate Pool, comprising eight London boroughs including Enfield, will extend for a further year in 2024/25.
• Note the update on funding in paragraphs 32 to 49 and spending pressures set out in paragraphs 50 to 64 of the report.
• Approve the proposed further income and savings proposals totalling £7.026m for 2024/25, detailed in Appendix D(iii), comprising £4.210m from efficiencies and £2.816m from receipts and income generation.
• Note that the income and savings proposals are recommended for approval subject to consultation and assessment of equality implications where relevant.
• Note the intended use of £1.021m Council Tax surplus within the 2024/25 General Fund revenue budget.
• Note the use of reserves in 2024/25 to meet welfare costs as set out in paragraphs 75 to 79 of the report.
• Note the overall forecast level of reserves over the medium term, ensuring the Council's financial sustainability, as detailed in paragraphs 80 to 87 of the report.
• Note the proposed fees and charges (subject to Council approval) detailed in Appendices G to K, and the continuation of the flexibility introduced in 2021/22 for these to be varied in-year where appropriate.

This was a key decision, referenced as number 5682.

Date of Next Meeting

The date of the next Cabinet meeting was noted as Wednesday 21 February 2024 at 7:00 pm.

Exclusion of the Press and Public

A resolution was passed to exclude the press and public from the meeting for items listed in Part 2 of the agenda, as they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information.

2023/24 Companies Financial Monitoring Report as at 31 October 2023

Councillor Tim Leaver, Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement, introduced the confidential report detailing the financial performance of Council companies.

Decision: The Cabinet agreed to note the confidential financial performance information provided by the individual Council companies. This was a non-key decision.

The meeting concluded at 7:59 pm.