The Council of the London Borough of Enfield convened on Wednesday, 21st January 2026, with a packed agenda that included discussions on the council tax base, various motions proposed by councillors, and responses to questions from elected members. The meeting also covered the minutes of the previous meeting and opposition business.

Opposition Priority Business

The Opposition Group presented an issues paper titled Enfield Has No Confidence in This Enfield Labour Council. This paper outlined a series of criticisms against the Labour administration, detailing concerns about external borrowing, the Meridian Water scheme, the performance of Energetik, and various council projects and policies. Specific points raised included the impact of bus lanes, cycle lanes, the removal of street litter bins, and the implementation of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs). The paper also highlighted issues related to library closures, park maintenance, and the council's approach to traveller sites and crime reduction.

Council Tax Base Report 2026/27

A report was presented for Council approval regarding the council tax base for the 2026/27 financial year. This report, which is a legal requirement, estimates the number of homes that will pay council tax in Enfield to help plan and fund local services. The recommendation was to agree the council tax base for 2026/27 as 105,212 Band D equivalents, based on a 95.00% collection rate. The report also detailed the schedule of discounts and premiums in place, which remained unchanged from the previous year. The calculation of the tax base is crucial for estimating council tax income and is influenced by factors such as the number of dwellings, discounts, exemptions, and the estimated collection rate. The report noted that the collection rate for 2026/27 was proposed to be 95.00%, reflecting current economic conditions and the impact of the Council Tax Support (CTS) Scheme.

Motions

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the consideration of various motions proposed by councillors, covering a wide range of issues:

• Saving the Green Belt: Councillor Alessandro Georgiou proposed a motion for the Council to work with residents to protect Enfield's Green Belt from development, citing concerns about proposed new town plans.
• Armed Forces Covenant: Councillor Chris Dey put forward a motion to ensure that no member of the Armed Forces community is forced to give up their military compensation to access welfare support, advocating for these payments to be disregarded as income when assessing local benefits.
• Blue Badge Holder Exemptions for LTNs: Councillor Maria Alexandrou proposed that all blue badge holders be exempt from Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) in Enfield, arguing for equality and fairness for individuals with mobility issues.
• Men's Mental Well-being: Councillor Maria Alexandrou also moved a motion to focus support on men's mental well-being, particularly in November, which is Men's Health Month.
• Woodcroft Wildspace: Councillor Lee Chamberlain raised a motion concerning the future of Woodcroft Wildspace, highlighting its public benefit and the volunteer effort involved, and seeking assurances on commitments made to volunteers.
• Shires Estate Tower Blocks: Councillor Lee Chamberlain also proposed a motion addressing the continued occupation of residents in the Shires Estate tower blocks, following a structural report in June 2022, and calling for a firm decommissioning date.
• Community Safety: Councillor Ergin Erbil presented a motion reaffirming the Council's commitment to working with partners to ensure a safer Enfield, detailing investments and initiatives aimed at tackling crime and anti-social behaviour. An amendment to this motion was received from Councillor Chris Dey, which included additional points regarding the Mayor of London's performance and the reinstatement of police officers.
• Welcoming Migrant Communities: Councillor Ergin Erbil also put forward a motion to sign the City of Sanctuary pledge, celebrating Enfield's diversity and commitment to supporting migrant and refugee communities.
• Climate Change and Schools: Councillor Mahym Bedekova proposed a motion to make all Enfield schools safe from extreme heat and other climate threats, calling for increased funding and support for climate-proofing school buildings.
• Macmillan Cancer Support: Councillor Alev Cazimoglu moved a motion to send a letter of appreciation to Macmillan Cancer Support and to light up the Civic Centre in green to mark the organisation's 115th anniversary.
• Free School Meals: Councillor Ian Barnes presented a motion welcoming the government's extension of free school meals and highlighting investments in Enfield's schools.
• Housing Crisis: Councillor Ayten Guzel proposed a motion to work with the new government to build more social and affordable homes and to advocate for increased housing investment in high-need boroughs like Enfield.
• World Stroke Day: Councillor Doris Jiagge moved a motion to raise awareness of stroke risk factors, symptoms, and the importance of rapid response, and to ensure residents have access to timely services and support.

Questions

A series of questions were submitted by councillors to various Cabinet Members, seeking updates and information on a range of council activities. These included:

• Updates on the proposed New Town and its potential benefits.
• Plans for bottle recycling schemes.
• The impact of the multi-year financial settlement for the Council.
• Progress on the installation of electric vehicle charging points.
• Measures to make life more affordable for young families.
• Details of a bid for flood alleviation works on Enfield Chase.
• Work being done to tackle rubbish dumping and fly-tipping.
• The percentage of revenue expenditure for flood alleviation works attributable to administrative costs.
• Work being undertaken to make council estates safer.
• Plans for a management plan for Trent Park and additional tree planting.
• Investment in the borough's leisure centres.
• The progress of the decant process at the Shires Estate tower blocks.
• Work being done to address the root causes of crime.
• The allocation of funds for damp and mould issues in housing.
• The progress and future plans of the Enfield 500 resident engagement group.
• Commitment to introducing 30 minutes of free parking on high streets.
• Development updates on new homes being built.
• Confirmation regarding the repainting of a box junction and associated fines.
• Progress towards the goal of making all homes 100% decent by March 2026.
• The timeline for the Traveller Local Plan.
• How the National Youth Strategy will build on Enfield's current Youth Offer.
• Expenditure on consultants for LTNs/Quieter Neighbourhoods.
• Enfield's approach to reducing child poverty.
• Repairs and maintenance works at Bury Lodge Park.
• Work being done to tackle illegal vape sales.
• The number and cost of fly-tipping cameras.
• Measures to tackle air pollution.
• The number of fines and enforcement notices issued by the trading standards team.
• Progress on construction at Chase Community School.
• Recycling rates for the London Borough of Enfield from 2010 to 2025.

Committee Memberships and Nominations

The meeting also included agenda items to confirm changes to committee memberships and nominations to outside bodies.

Date of Next Meeting

The date of the next Council meeting was scheduled for Thursday, 26th February 2026.