The Haringey Cabinet met on Tuesday 11 November 2025 to discuss a range of important issues affecting the borough. Key decisions included approving the consultation on draft budget proposals for 2026-27 and the 2026-2031 Medium Term Financial Strategy, which forecasts a significant budget gap. The Cabinet also agreed to proceed with procurement for the Haringey Civic Centre fit-out and to tender for contractors to build new council homes at Tiverton Estate and the Kings Road Car Park site.

Matters Referred to Cabinet by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Cabinet noted the recommendations from the Housing, Planning and Development Scrutiny Panel Review into the Temporary Accommodation (TA) Placements Policy and Private Rented Sector (PRS) Discharge Policy. They agreed with the Council's responses to these recommendations, which aim to improve fairness, transparency, and the minimisation of impacts on families occupying temporary accommodation.

Draft 2026-27 Budget and 2026-2031 Medium Term Financial Strategy Report

The Cabinet received an update on the Council's challenging financial position, noting a projected budget gap of at least £57 million for 2026/27. This is exacerbated by a potential loss of up to £10 million in government funding annually due to proposed changes in the Fair Funding Review. The report highlighted escalating demand for services, particularly in social care and temporary accommodation, alongside rising costs and a decrease in core government funding in real terms since 2010/11. Cabinet approved the launch of a consultation on the revenue budget proposals and proposed changes to the capital programme for 2026/27 to 2030/31. The Council faces a statutory obligation to set a balanced budget, and this report forms a key part of that process, outlining the approach to delivering a refreshed Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS).

Approval to Tender a JCT Design and Build Contract for the Kings Road Car Park Site, N17

Cabinet approved the commencement of a tender process for the selection of a contractor to deliver nine new three-storey, four-bedroom council homes at the Kings Road Car Park site. These homes will be let at social rent levels and contribute to the Council's target of building 3,000 new council homes by 2031. The development aims to make efficient use of underutilised council land, enhance the surrounding environment, and address issues of anti-social behaviour through improved site layout and design.

Approval to Tender for a Works Contractor to Build 17 Homes at Tiverton Estate

Cabinet approved the commencement of a procurement exercise for a contractor to deliver 17 new council homes on council-owned land at Tiverton Estate. The development will include two wheelchair-accessible homes and family homes, contributing to the Council's aspiration to build 3,000 council homes by 2031. The scheme is designed with Passivhaus principles for energy efficiency and includes associated refuse stores, cycle stores, amenity space, and landscaping.

Admission to Schools – Proposed Admission Arrangements for 2027/28

Cabinet agreed to consult on proposed admission arrangements for the academic year 2027/28. While no changes are proposed to oversubscription criteria or Pan-London co-ordinated schemes, Cabinet agreed to consult on proposed reductions to the Published Admission Numbers (PANs) at Rokesly Junior School, Park View School, Highgate Wood School, and Gladesmore Community School. These reductions are in response to declining pupil numbers and are intended to support school sustainability and efficient resource deployment. Cabinet also agreed to consult on the proposed fair access protocol.

Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman Public Report

Cabinet noted the findings of the Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman's public report concerning Adult Social Care. The Council accepted the findings of fault and injustice related to delays in responding to safeguarding concerns and shortcomings in complaint handling. Cabinet approved the Council's response and endorsed the action plan set out in Appendix 2, which includes measures to improve safeguarding processes, complaint handling, and workforce development. The Director of Adult Social Care was authorised to provide evidence of compliance to the Ombudsman.

Adult Social Care Improvement Plan

Cabinet approved the Adult Social Care Improvement Plan, which outlines a phased approach to strengthening services and embedding sustainable improvement over the next three years. The plan addresses areas identified for improvement by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), building on existing strengths in safeguarding and partnerships. A new cross-party Adult Social Care Improvement Board (AIB) will oversee the plan's delivery. Cabinet also noted progress made to date, including leadership changes and the establishment of new governance arrangements.

Publication of Adult Carers Strategy

Cabinet approved the Haringey Adult Carers Strategy 2025-2028 and endorsed its first-phase delivery plan. The strategy, co-produced with carers and partners, sets out six priorities: Getting the Basics Right, Information and Communication, Health and Wellbeing, Respite and Breaks, Financial Resilience and Employment, and Training. It aims to ensure carers are recognised, respected, and supported, with a focus on improving access to services, enhancing wellbeing, and reducing inequalities.

Approval of a Draft Homelessness Strategy for Consultation

Cabinet approved the Draft Homelessness Strategy for formal consultation. The strategy, developed over a year with extensive stakeholder engagement, including people with lived experience of homelessness, outlines five strategic objectives: preventing homelessness through partnership, protecting the population from homelessness risk, improving prevention services, providing specific interventions for high-risk groups, and improving temporary and settled accommodation options. The consultation will inform the final strategy for adoption in December 2025.

Fire Doors Contracts

Cabinet provisionally approved the award of a contract, valued at up to £12,288,526.00, to Bidder B for the provision and replacement of fire-rated doors and associated fire safety works within the Council's residential housing stock. This approval is subject to the outcome of the second stage of leasehold consultation. The works are necessary to comply with fire safety legislation and improve resident safety.

Housing Annual Compliance Assurance Statement

Cabinet noted the Housing Service's annual compliance assurance statement, which reported on performance against the 'big six' compliance areas: gas, electricity, fire safety, asbestos, water, and lifts. The report summarised the outcome of an audit by Mazars, which confirmed a high level of accuracy in reporting and highlighted improvements made, particularly in electrical inspection reports and asbestos reinspections. The report also noted areas for ongoing review and system development.

Procurement of Client Fit Out Items for the Haringey Civic Centre

Cabinet approved the commencement of procurement exercises for Fixtures, Fittings and Equipment (FF&E) for the Civic Centre, and the establishment of a framework to procure Catering Operators. The FF&E procurement will ensure the Civic Centre is ready for occupation in 2027, with a focus on reusing existing furniture where possible and incorporating new items for key areas like the Council Chamber. The catering framework will allow the Council to select operators for the Civic Centre café and other council-owned assets. The approach prioritises social value and local economic inclusion.

Wards Corner Asset Management Plan

Cabinet noted that the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) granted in March 2020 for Wards Corner would expire in December 2025. They agreed that the Director of Capital Projects and Property, in consultation with other directors, would prepare a Wards Corner Property Strategy and an Asset Management Plan, considering the Council's strategic ambitions for the South Tottenham area. Cabinet also agreed to cooperate with Places for London regarding their future plans for holdings within the wider site. This approach acknowledges that comprehensive redevelopment is not currently financially viable.

Minutes of Other Bodies

The minutes of the Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee meeting on 2 September 2025 and Cabinet Member Signings on 15 and 16 October 2025 were noted.

Significant and Delegated Actions

The list of significant and delegated actions was noted.

Exclusion of the Press and Public

The press and public were excluded from the remainder of the meeting due to the consideration of exempt information relating to financial and business affairs. Exempt minutes from the 21 October 2025 meeting were confirmed and signed.

New Items of Urgent Business

There were no new items of urgent business.