The Cabinet Member Signing meeting was scheduled to discuss the extension of a contract for environmental enforcement services. The meeting was also expected to address filming at council meetings and any urgent business or deputations.

Extension of Environmental Enforcement Services Contract

A key item on the agenda was the proposed extension of the contract for environmental enforcement services with Kingdom Services Group Limited. The report pack indicated that this contract, initially awarded following a competitive procurement process, was due for a 12-month extension from 6 February 2026.

The services provided by Kingdom Services Group Limited are intended to be cost-neutral, with income generated from issuing fixed penalty notices (FPNs) being shared between the council and the contractor. The report pack stated that 34.5% of the income from FPNs would be transferred to Kingdom Services Group Limited to offset their costs, with the remainder retained by the council.

The report pack highlighted that litter and fly-tipping are significant concerns for residents in Haringey. It noted that engagement with approximately 9,000 residents, businesses, and community groups in 2023 revealed strong support for fining individuals for fly-tipping (96%) and for littering or dog fouling (94%). The proposed contract extension aligns with the council's Corporate Delivery Plan 2024-2026, specifically under the theme of A cleaner, low waste Haringey, which includes an activity for enhanced environmental enforcement.

The report pack detailed that during the first eight months of the contract, Kingdom Services Group Limited had issued around 9,000 FPNs, with 78% for observed offences (like dropping litter), 17% for investigated offences (such as fly-tipping), and 5% for Duty of Care offences. The report pack also mentioned that approximately 42% of upheld FPNs had been paid, generating around £650,000, with Kingdom Services Group Limited receiving approximately £150,000 and the council retaining £500,000.

The report pack also included an Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) for the contract extension. This assessment considered the potential impacts on individuals with protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010, including age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation, as well as socioeconomic status. The EQIA indicated that enforcement action is taken based on illegal actions and not targeted at individuals based on protected characteristics. It also noted that all Kingdom officers receive mandatory training, including modules on equality, diversity, safeguarding, and vulnerability. The EQIA proposed to request more information from the service provider in the extended contract to better understand how the services affect people with protected characteristics.

The report pack also indicated that an exempt part of the discussion regarding the contract extension was scheduled, which would contain information relating to the financial or business affairs of particular persons or information subject to legal professional privilege.