Here is a briefing on the Enfield Council meeting held on 17 September 2025.

The meeting addressed several key issues for the borough, including approval to consult on the Traveller Local Plan, adoption of the Council Housing Asset Management Strategy, and scrutiny of annual work programmes. Councillors also discussed local concerns during the questions session, ranging from street cleaning to support for vulnerable residents.

Here's a more detailed look at the key topics discussed:

Traveller Local Plan

The council voted to approve the Traveller Local Plan (TLP) Regulation 19 for a six-week public consultation. The TLP outlines how the council will meet the accommodation needs of Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople from 2020/21 to 2040/41. It identifies the need for 30 permanent pitches and one transit site for up to 15 caravans.

The plan proposes allocating land east of Bulls Cross and adjacent to The Ridgeway for permanent pitches, and land off the A10 for a transit site. The council also delegated authority to the Executive Director of Environment and Communities, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to make minor amendments to the documents before the consultation period and to make any necessary minor changes after the consultation before submitting the plan to the Secretary of State.

The report notes that the site proposed for transit accommodation is currently partially occupied by a council-owned skate park. It states that if the proposed allocation is taken forward, any future change in land use would be subject to appropriate council decision-making processes separate to the planning process, including asset management considerations, public engagement, and equality and community impact assessments.

Council Housing Asset Management Strategy

The council approved the Council Housing Asset Management Strategy (AMS) for 2026-2029. The AMS outlines how the council will manage its housing assets to support the corporate plan priority of providing more and better homes. The council has invested over £110m in its housing stock since 2023 and the revised AMS aims to improve the quality and safety of its housing stock while delivering regeneration and development projects.

The strategy focuses on ensuring good quality, accurate stock information is available and stored in an asset management database. It also addresses regulatory changes, including the Fire Safety Act 2021 and the Building Safety Act 2022. The council aims to achieve 100% decency in its homes by March 2026.

The council also delegated authority to the Executive Director of Housing and Regeneration to agree on an annual programme of investment works in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing.

Scrutiny Annual Work Programmes 2025/26

The council approved the Scrutiny Annual Work Programmes for 2025/26. The Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) and its four standing scrutiny panels set their own work programmes, taking into consideration wider consultation with the Cabinet and the Executive Management Team (EMT). The four scrutiny panels are:

• Culture and Environment
• Healthy and Safe Communities
• Thriving Children and Young People
• Housing and Regeneration

Councillor Questions

Councillors raised a number of questions to Cabinet Members on various topics:

• A10 Average Speed Cameras: Councillor Suna Hurman asked about the benefits of the average speed camera system on the A10. Councillor Ergin Erbil responded, highlighting the improved safety and calmer road conditions resulting from the scheme.
• SEND School Funding: Councillor Andrew Thorp asked about the status of funding for SEND school projects. Councillor Abdul Abdullahi explained that the Department for Education (DfE) is reviewing its capital programme, but the council expects new opportunities with the coming education white paper.
• Safer Enfield: Councillor Doug Taylor asked about work to create a safer Enfield. Councillor Gina Needs outlined several initiatives, including Parks and Town Centres Reassurance Patrols, the Clear, Hold, Build operation, and the Women's Safety Charter.
• Allotment Wait Times: Councillor Maria Alexandrou asked about allotment wait times and security. Councillor Chinelo Anyanwu explained that wait times vary by site and that the council has introduced a dedicated role to support allotments. She confirmed that allotments are safe from future building development.
• Cleaner Enfield: Councillor Ian Barnes asked about work to create a cleaner Enfield. Councillor Rick Jewell detailed improvements to street cleansing and waste services, including dedicated ward teams, jet-washing, weed removal, and community recycling events.
• Parks and Green Space Maintenance: Councillor Maria Alexandrou asked about the council's annual spending on parks and green space maintenance. Councillor Sabri Ozaydin provided a breakdown of spending for 2023/24, 2024/25, and the proposed spend for 2025/26.
• School Ofsted Ratings: Councillor Josh Abey asked how the council is acknowledging the fact that all Enfield schools have been judged good or outstanding by Ofsted. Councillor Abdul Abdullahi said that he plans to host a celebration event later this school term.
• Enfield Town Park Cafe: Councillor Chris Dey asked for an update on the reopening of the Enfield Town Park cafe. Councillor Ergin Erbil said that a mobile vendor is in the park on weekends, and the new cafe is expected to open as soon as building works are complete.
• Care Leaver Accommodation: Councillor Eylem Yuruk asked about accommodation support for care leavers. Councillor Abdul Abdullahi explained that the council provides a range of placements and support services, and 25 care leavers have successfully moved into council homes since January 2025.
• Grange Park Ward Speeding: Councillor Chris Dey asked about measures to address speeding in Grange Park Ward. Councillor Rick Jewell said that the council is reviewing speed limits and working with TfL and the police to improve education and enforcement.
• RSH C1 Rating: Councillor Josh Abey asked about the council's plans to maintain the C1 rating from the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH). Councillor Ayten Guzel said that the council will continue to follow a clear plan, shaped by feedback from residents, and will implement the revised Asset Management Strategy and Resident Engagement Strategy.
• Edmonton Police Station Front Desk: Councillor Chris Dey asked if the Cabinet Member supports the Mayor of London's plans to close the front desk at Edmonton Police Station. Councillor Gina Needs said that she is strongly opposed to the closure and has expressed her concerns to the relevant authorities.
• Communal Bins on Council Estates: Councillor Kate Anolue asked about measures to address issues with communal bins on council estates. Councillor Ayten Guzel detailed a pilot project to improve bin areas and install security measures.
• 20mph Scheme Funding: Councillor Alessandro Georgiou asked how much money the Mayor of London has given Enfield Council for its 20mph scheme. Councillor Ergin Erbil said that the council has received an initial support grant of up to £1.6m to expand the number of 20mph areas.
• Decade of National Renewal: Councillor Chris James asked how the Government's Decade of National Renewal fits in with Enfield's priorities. Councillor Ayten Guzel said that the council welcomes the government's approach to housing development and its investment in a 10-year Social Affordable Housing Plan.
• Firs Farm Wetlands Community Hub: Councillor James Hockney asked if the Cabinet Member can confirm that it was the Friends of Firs Farm Wetlands that built, own and operate the Community Hub at Firs Farm Wetlands. Councillor Chinelo Anyanwu confirmed that it was.
• Scams: Councillor Suna Hurman asked what the council is doing to alleviate fears of illegal trading on our Highstreets. Councillor Susan Erbil said that the council works closely with the National Anti-Fraud Network to stay ahead of emerging scams and ensure our staff are equipped to advise residents.
• PCN Parking Fines: Councillor James Hockney asked for the total number of PCN Parking Fines issued this year and total hours worked by Parking Enforcement Patrols. No answer was recorded in the minutes.
• Illegal Trading: Councillor Mahym Bedekova asked what the council is doing to alleviate fears of illegal trading on our Highstreets. Councillor Susan Erbil said that the council has set up Operation Shadow to tackle problems in and around the high streets.
• Drug and Alcohol Centre: Councillor Edward Smith asked for an estimated date for when the new Drug and Alcohol Centre in Enfield Town will open and, given the concerns expressed by local residents, what steps he is taking to ensure that the client group will be closely monitored when coming to and leaving the Centre. Councillor Alev Cazimoglu said that the relocation of this vital provision has already successfully commenced.
• Enfield Council Hubs: Councillor Gunes Akbulut asked if Enfield Council Hubs are now integrated into our libraries, can you explain what has changed and how it will benefit users? Councillor Chinelo Anyanwu said that Community Hubs and Libraries are working together to create welcoming, inclusive spaces where residents can access support, information, and social activities.
• Sports Clubs Leases: Councillor Edward Smith asked Given the concern expressed by several sports clubs that have leases with the council regarding prospective rent increases, would the Cabinet Member indicate how many clubs are in discussion with the Council and provide an update on the approach he intends to take? Councillor Sabri Ozaydin said that Our support to sports clubs goes beyond property needs.
• Black History Month: Councillor Doug Taylor asked How does Enfield Council plan to celebrate Black History month and how are they ensuring the local community feel involved? Councillor Chinelo Anyanwu said that Enfield Council is celebrating Black History Month with a programme led by the Black History Forum and delivered in partnership with local groups.
• Pymmes Brook Re-Routing: Councillor Edward Smith asked Given the concern expressed by several sports clubs that have leases with the council regarding prospective rent increases, would the Cabinet Member indicate how many clubs are in discussion with the Council and provide an update on the approach he intends to take? Councillor Sabri Ozaydin said that A grant-funded study is underway to look at ways to improve the environment, reduce flood risk, improve water quality, and assess other potential benefits of the proposed project.

Other Items

• Committee Memberships: Councillor Nelly Gyosheva replaced Councillor Nia Stevens on the Culture and Environment Scrutiny Panel.
• Date of Next Meeting: The next council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 12 November 2025.