The Cabinet of Haringey Council met on Tuesday 10 February 2026 to discuss a range of significant financial and strategic matters. Key topics included the proposed budget for 2026/2027 and the Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2030/2031, the adoption of the Capital Strategy for 2026-2036, and the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan for 2026/27. The meeting also covered plans for the redevelopment of the Wood Green Station Road sites, the approval of a new Toilet Strategy and Action Plan, and funding for the Pride in Place initiative. Additionally, discussions were scheduled regarding school admissions arrangements for 2027/28, policy updates on schools in financial difficulty, and the next steps for the High Road West Scheme.

Budget 2026/2027 and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2030/2031

A substantial portion of the meeting was dedicated to the Council's financial future. The proposed General Fund Revenue Budget for 2026/27 was presented, outlining a net spend of £343.4 million. This budget is set against a backdrop of significant financial challenges, including over a decade of government underfunding and escalating demand for services, particularly in adult and children's social care and temporary accommodation. The report highlighted a projected budget gap of £52.2 million for 2026/27, necessitating an application for Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) from the government. The Council's Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for 2026-2031 also indicated a cumulative budget gap of £291.7 million between 2027/28 and 2030/31. The budget proposals included a 4.99% increase in Council Tax, comprising a 2.99% general increase and a 2% Adult Social Care Precept. The report also detailed the Dedicated Schools Budget allocations for 2026/27, amounting to £149.8 million, and outlined the proposed General Fund Capital Programme for 2026/27 to 2030/31, totalling £949.2 million, including £489.2 million of EFS.

Adoption of the Capital Strategy 2026-2036

The Cabinet was asked to approve Haringey Council's Capital Strategy for 2026-2036. This strategy outlines the Council's approach to capital investment, financing, and governance over the next decade. It aims to align capital decisions with the Borough Vision 2035, ensuring investments are affordable, prudent, and sustainable. The strategy prioritises schemes that are essential for statutory services, health and safety compliance, and reducing long-term revenue pressures. It also emphasizes maximising external funding and reducing reliance on borrowing. The strategy integrates the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and General Fund into a single portfolio view for governance and reporting, while maintaining statutory ring-fencing for the HRA.

Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan 2026/27

The meeting included a review of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan for 2026/27. This plan details projected income and expenditure over a 10 and 30-year period, with income from tenants and leaseholders intended for investment in homes, new council homes, and services. The proposed rent increase for existing council tenants in 2026/27 was set at 4.8% (based on September CPI of 3.8% plus 1%). The plan also outlined proposed average weekly rents by property size and detailed service charges for various services provided to tenants. Significant investment in existing housing stock and new build programmes was highlighted, with a total capital investment in the HRA projected to be £2.087 billion over five years.

100 Woodside Avenue, N10 - Sales Strategy and Updated Total Scheme Costs

Cabinet was asked to approve the sales strategy and facilitate the disposal of nine open market sale homes at 100 Woodside Avenue. These homes, comprising two houses and seven flats, are part of a development that will also deliver 32 new council homes. The sale of these private homes is intended to cross-subsidise the council homes, ensuring the financial viability of the scheme. Approval was also sought for a revised budget for the scheme, reflecting updated financial positions.

Admission to Schools - Determined Admission Arrangements for 2027/28

The meeting addressed the proposed admission arrangements for Haringey's community and voluntary controlled schools for the 2027/28 academic year. This included a proposal to reduce the Published Admission Number (PAN) at selected primary and secondary schools due to declining pupil numbers. The report detailed the rationale behind these reductions, citing falling birth rates, outward migration, and changes in national funding assumptions. The proposed reductions were presented as a strategic response to ensure the sustainability of the school estate and align provision with projected demand.

Approval of Next Steps for Wood Green Station Road Sites

Cabinet was asked to approve the next steps for the redevelopment of the Council-owned sites on Station Road in Wood Green. This involved approving the preparation and submission of a hybrid planning application for the sites, with a detailed application for the Western End (to deliver new council homes) and an outline application for the Eastern End. The report sought approval for the procurement of a multi-disciplinary team to develop the planning application, with a total cost limit of £4.18 million. The Western End of the site would be incorporated into the Housing Delivery Programme for early delivery of council homes.

Approval of the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Action Plan

The meeting was to endorse the Haringey Community Collaborative's (HCC) priorities for the VCS for 2025-2026 and approve the Council's approach to supporting the sector's delivery of these priorities through a VCS Action Plan. This approach aims to align the council's work with the needs identified by the VCS, in line with the Haringey Deal principles. The action plan outlines specific actions the council will take to support the sector, focusing on areas such as funding, coordination, and partnership working.

Down Lane Park - Phase 2a: Community Hub - Permission to Initiate Tender Action for a Construction Works Contract

Approval was sought to go out to tender for a construction works contractor to deliver Phase 2a of the Down Lane Park project. This phase involves the construction of a new community hub and café, along with attached community garden space and a parks depot. The new hub is intended to replace the existing pavilion building and parks depot, providing a multi-purpose space for community use and ensuring the park is maintained to a high standard.

Haringey's Toilet Strategy and Action Plan, 2025-30

The Cabinet was presented with a new Toilet Strategy and Action Plan for Haringey, developed in response to consultation findings and engagement with residents and user groups. The strategy aims to improve public toilet provision across the borough, addressing concerns about accessibility, safety, cleanliness, and the lack of Changing Places facilities. The action plan outlines twenty specific actions to be taken to improve toilet access, particularly in areas identified as loo deserts.

High Road West - Next Steps

This report addressed the ongoing High Road West Scheme in north Tottenham, where delivery had stalled due to increased costs and difficult market conditions. The report sought approval for the Council to take direct delivery of Phase 1A of the scheme, comprising 61 new council homes, as part of its council house-building programme. This would enable the rehousing of approximately half of the residents from the Love Lane Estate. The report also outlined the next steps for subsequent phases of the scheme.

Policy Update on Schools in Financial Difficulty

The meeting included a policy update on schools in financial difficulty. This report proposed revisions to the Scheme for Financing Schools, including the introduction of a £25,000 spending limit control for schools in financial difficulty or deficit, requiring Council approval for expenditure above this threshold. The updated policy aims to strengthen financial oversight and ensure schools manage their delegated budgets responsibly.

Pride in Place Funding

Cabinet was asked to approve the acceptance and allocation of £1.5 million in 'Pride in Place' funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. This capital funding programme is designed to support visible improvements in local communities, foster pride, enhance public and community spaces, and revitalise high streets. The report outlined shortlisted projects that reflect local needs and align with community aspirations, with a deadline of March 2027 for spending the funds.

Minutes of Other Bodies

The Cabinet was scheduled to note the minutes of various other bodies, including Cabinet Member Signing meetings held on 10 December 2025 (Council Tax Hardship Policy) and 11 December 2025 (Direct Payment Peer Support and Personal Care Assistants), as well as minutes from a meeting on 19 January 2026 concerning the Garage Allocations Policy and Clear Communal Areas Policy.

Significant and Delegated Actions

The Cabinet was scheduled to note the delegated decisions taken by Directors.

Exclusion of the Press and Public

It was noted that items 25, 26, 27, and 28 of the agenda contained exempt information relating to financial or business affairs and would be considered in private. Cabinet was asked to resolve that the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting for these items.