The Council meeting on 24 January 2024 saw a wide range of issues debated and decided upon, with significant discussion around the protection of green spaces, the setting of the Council Tax and Business Rate base for 2024/25, and the appointment of independent persons to the Councillor Conduct Committee. A key decision was made to approve the Council Tax and Business Rate base for the upcoming financial year, with a proposed increase in Council Tax.

Protecting Enfield's Green Spaces

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the Opposition's priority business concerning the protection of Enfield's green spaces. Councillor Julian Sampson introduced the paper, highlighting the value of these areas for recreation, well-being, and biodiversity, and expressing concern that the new Local Plan threatened several such spaces, including Brimsdown Sports Ground, Haselbury Church Street Recreation Ground, and woodlands around Sainsbury's in Winchmore Hill. He argued that golf courses, often perceived as elitist, were in fact diverse, environmentally beneficial, and community assets that should be protected.

Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Ergin Erbil, responded by stating that the administration prioritised the protection and enhancement of green spaces, citing initiatives such as woodland creation, rewilding, and new wetlands. He contended that the Opposition had misinterpreted the Local Plan, which he asserted aimed to protect green sites and promote sustainable development. He also highlighted the benefits of the proposed deal with Tottenham Hotspur for Whitewebbs Park, which he stated would include new trails, a café, and job creation, with the surrounding woods excluded from the lease.

During the debate, procedural motions were passed to extend the discussion by a total of 40 minutes. Ultimately, the Council agreed with the Deputy Leader's response, and the recommendations in the Opposition's business paper were not accepted.

Council Tax and Business Rate Collection Fund 2024/25

Councillor Tim Leaver, Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement, presented the report recommending the 2024/25 Council Tax and Business Rate bases. He explained that the Council Tax increase limit remained at 2.99% for general purposes and 2.00% for Adult Social Care, allowing for a maximum increase of 4.99%. The report also detailed proposed changes to discounts and premiums for empty homes, with a 100% premium for dwellings empty for one to five years.

The Opposition expressed concerns about above-inflation increases in fees and charges, cuts to services, and the impact of proposed changes to the Council Tax Support Scheme on vulnerable residents. They argued that pledges regarding Council Tax Support had been broken. Members of the Administration countered that Enfield had one of the strongest Council Tax Support schemes in London, with a significant percentage of residents receiving discounts. Following a procedural motion to put the question, the Council agreed to the recommendations, including the Council Tax Base of 97,786 Band D equivalents and the non-domestic rating income estimate of £127,764,130. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director, Resources, to finalise figures based on feedback from the ongoing consultation on the Council Tax Support Scheme.

Independent Persons Appointment for the Councillor Conduct Committee

Councillor Sabri Ozaydin moved the report recommending the appointment of Gary Rogers as an Independent Person for the Councillor Conduct Committee for a period of two years, and the extension of Joan Mansfield's appointment until May 2026. Opposition members expressed disappointment that they had not been involved in the interview process or met the candidate beforehand. The Monitoring Officer clarified that the appointment process was outside the terms of reference of the Councillor Conduct Committee. Following a procedural motion, the recommendations were agreed, with a recorded vote showing 30 votes in favour, and 25 abstentions.

Councillor Question Time

A series of questions were posed to Cabinet Members on various topics. Councillor Thomas Fawns asked about the benefits of the £11.9m Levelling Up bid for Edmonton, with Councillor Ergin Erbil detailing planned improvements to public spaces, businesses, and community facilities. Councillor Maria Alexandrou inquired about the cost of the Green Bin collection service, the number of households subscribed, and the proportion of electric council vehicles, with Councillor Rick Jewell providing details on the service's cost and the transition to electric vehicles. Councillor Destiny Karakus asked for an update on the Council's progress in cutting greenhouse gas emissions, with Councillor Erbil reporting a 30% reduction in the Council's operational emissions and a 6% reduction in borough-wide emissions from a 2018/19 baseline.

Councillor Doris Jiagge sought an update on the Joyce and Snell's regeneration scheme, with Councillor Erbil confirming progress and a planned resubmission of the planning application. Councillor Alexandrou also asked about progress on introducing mobile fly-tipping CCTV cameras, with Councillor Jewell detailing their use and the Can You Help? social media campaign. Councillor Nawshad Ali enquired about the Council's Medium Term Financial Plan following the Autumn Statement, with Councillor Leaver explaining the provisional local government finance settlement and its impact on Enfield's budget gap.

Councillor Edward Smith asked about capital schemes moved to the pipeline, with Councillor Leaver clarifying that these required further business case development. Councillor Chris James inquired about the Adult Social Care Team's support for NHS hospitals, with Councillor Alev Cazimoglu highlighting the team's success in facilitating timely hospital discharges. Councillor Alexandrou also asked about enforcement fines for illegal fly-tipping, with Councillor Jewell providing figures on fines issued and paid.

Councillor Bektas Ozer questioned the clarity on the continuation of the Household Support Fund, with Councillor Leaver confirming uncertainty and the potential impact of its cut. Councillor Smith also asked about the status of the Council's Build for Change Programme and the future of the Civic Centre, with Councillor Leaver explaining that the project had been deferred due to the current economic climate. Councillor Nia Stevens asked about progress on delivering new wetlands, with Councillor Jewell detailing ongoing work on Salmons Brook and Trent Country Park, and a feasibility study for Chase Green.

Councillor Lee Chamberlain asked about residents remaining in the unsafe Shires Estate Tower Blocks, with Councillor George Savva providing figures on voids and remaining tenants and leaseholders, and outlining plans for rehousing. Councillor Nicki Adeleke enquired about the progress of the Ponders End Family Hub, with Councillor Abdul Abdullahi reporting strong uptake and a growing range of services. Councillor Chamberlain also asked about the delivery of Meridian Water homes, with Councillor Erbil stating that 80 homes would be available for occupation by 1 April 2024.

Councillor Ayten Guzel asked about new policies to help residents access affordable and sustainable housing, with Councillor Savva detailing the impact of rising rents and the introduction of a new Placement Policy to secure accommodation nationally. Councillor Chamberlain also requested a breakdown of Enfield's housing stock by type, with Councillor Savva providing figures for bedsits, bungalows, flats, houses, and maisonettes. Councillor Mahym Bedekova asked for an update on the Council Housing Anti-Social Behaviour policy, with Councillor Savva reporting good progress and improved resident satisfaction. Councillor Chamberlain also asked about equity swap offers for leaseholders in the Shires Estate, with Councillor Savva confirming none had been made.

Councillor Gunes Akbulut enquired about the prosecution of the operators of the Jurassic Encounter event, with Councillor Susan Erbil detailing the successful prosecution and fine. Councillor Chamberlain also asked about leaseholders liable for charges for works to the Shires Estate tower blocks, with Councillor Savva confirming 15 leaseholders in Shropshire and 26 in Cheshire were liable. Councillor Josh Abey asked about the Council's preparation for the increase in planning fees, with Councillor Erbil stating the service was prepared and that it was too early to assess the impact on application numbers. Councillor Alessandro Georgiou asked for a breakdown of leisure facilities deemed saleable assets, with Councillor Leaver confirming no leisure facilities had been approved for sale. Councillor Margaret Greer asked for details on improvements to Boundary Brook Park, with Councillor Anyanwu confirming works had commenced and had strong resident support. Councillor Georgiou also asked if Brimsdown Recreation Ground was an appropriate location for a tower block, with Councillor Erbil clarifying that the draft Local Plan explicitly stated tall buildings were not considered acceptable on that site.

Motions

Councillor Kate Anolue's motion calling for further efforts to support breastfeeding parents and to develop a visible scheme encouraging businesses to be supportive of breastfeeding mothers was AGREED. The remaining motions lapsed under guillotine arrangements.

Committee Memberships and Outside Bodies

There were no changes to committee memberships or nominations to outside bodies.

Date of Next Meeting

The date of the next Council meeting was noted as Thursday 22 February 2024 at 7pm. The Mayor also congratulated Councillor Nesil Caliskan on becoming a parent and Councillor Alev Cazimoglu on becoming a grandmother, and reiterated best wishes to Councillor Gina Needs for a speedy recovery.