The Cabinet met on Tuesday 10 March 2026 and approved several key financial and policy updates, including the 2025/26 Finance Update Quarter 3, a new Digital Inclusion Policy, and a four-year contract for dockless bike services. The meeting also saw the approval of a draft Older People's Housing Strategy for consultation and significant decisions regarding housing acquisitions and the Homelessness Strategy.

2025/26 Finance Update Quarter 3

The Cabinet noted the financial position of the Council at the end of Quarter 3 of the 2025/26 financial year. This included a forecast total revenue outturn variance for the General Fund of £19 million, comprising £10.72 million in base budget pressures and £8.312 million from the non-delivery of savings. The net forecast for the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) indicated a £3.2 million overspend, while the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) showed a net forecast surplus of £1.791 million. The Cabinet also noted the forecast General Fund and HRA capital expenditure of £393.8 million, representing 72.9% of the revised budget. Revenue budget virements and the receipt of grants were approved, as were proposed budget adjustments and virements to the capital programme. Debt write-offs for Quarter Three 2025/26 were also noted, having been approved under delegated authority. The Cabinet received updates on the Finance Response and Recovery Plans and progress against actions. The decision was made to approve these financial updates, recognising that strong financial management is crucial for delivering the council's priorities and meeting its statutory duties, especially given the current challenging financial climate influenced by government funding, high service demand, and the economic outlook.

Corporate Delivery Plan Quarter 3 2025/26 Performance Update

The Cabinet reviewed the progress made against the commitments outlined in the Corporate Delivery Plan 2024–2026 as of the end of December 2025. A key outcome of this review was the noting of the final publication and launch of the Local Outcomes Framework (LOF). This framework, developed by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), represents a new approach to outcome-based accountability and is designed to simplify and consolidate local government funding streams. The metrics within the LOF will inform the new Corporate Delivery Plan and performance framework, aligning with the Borough Vision. The new framework is set to come into effect from April 2026, although the public data tool will be released after the local elections. The Cabinet approved the noting of this progress and the launch of the LOF, acknowledging its importance in tracking the council's performance against its strategic commitments.

Adoption of a Digital Inclusion Policy

The Cabinet approved the adoption of a new Digital Inclusion Policy for Haringey, along with an Enhanced Offer detailed in the Digital Inclusion Roadmap. This policy aims to ensure all residents can access council services digitally by choice, preventing anyone from being excluded as services transition to digital channels. The decision was driven by the commitment to long-term, sustainable digital inclusion initiatives, which are fundamental to achieving the Borough Vision for Haringey, reducing inequalities, and improving financial, health, and social outcomes. The policy recognises that digital inclusion is essential for the council to provide essential services and build an inclusive borough. The benefits of digital inclusion include improved economic circumstances, better education and employment prospects, and increased access to housing and welfare services. The Digital Inclusion Roadmap is expected to have a lasting positive impact on communities and provide more equitable access to services. The policy also acknowledges that digital transformation is a key driver of efficiency savings for the council, and digital inclusion is a core component of Haringey's wider digital strategy. The Cabinet considered three scalable offers for the Digital Inclusion Roadmap: the Core Offer, the Enhanced Offer, and the Complete Offer. The Enhanced Offer was recommended and approved, which includes the Core Offer plus a strengthened programme of digital inclusion services, such as providing direct digital inclusion support through volunteer digital ambassadors, hosting a Digital Inclusion Fair, and developing a local circular economy device donation and recycling scheme. The implementation of the Enhanced Offer requires a modest additional budget and the recruitment of an apprentice.

Approval of a four-year contract for dockless bike services

The Cabinet approved the appointment of two dockless e-bike providers for a period of two years, with an option for a further two-year extension, subject to performance. This decision follows a competitive tender process and allows the Council to enter into formal agreements with the selected suppliers to deliver dockless e-bike services in Haringey. The contract will be for a period of four years, from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2030. The decision was made because dockless e-bike hire services have become an established mode of transport in Haringey, with increasing user and journey figures. The Council engaged with the community on the future of these services, seeking views on benefits, barriers, and parking locations. Entering into a formal contract will enable the Council to set clear rules and fees, ensuring increased and controlled management of the e-bikes and fair pricing for residents, businesses, and visitors. The alternative of doing nothing was rejected, as it was likely that services would continue to operate in an unregulated market without Council oversight, potentially leading to poor service quality and a lack of leverage to maximise benefits or mitigate issues.

Approval of a draft Older People's Housing Strategy for consultation

The Cabinet approved the Draft Older People’s Housing Strategy as the basis for consultation. They also approved the proposed consultation arrangements and noted that a revised draft of the strategy would be brought back to Cabinet for adoption following the consultation period. The development of this strategy, while not a statutory requirement, is considered good practice and aligns with the Council's commitments in its 2024–29 Housing Strategy and 2024–26 Corporate Delivery Plan. Adopting the strategy will assist the council in delivering best value and improving outcomes for older people by establishing a coordinated approach to housing for this demographic over the next fifteen years. It will provide clear direction across the council's roles as a landlord, housing developer, planning authority, and provider of housing-related social care and support services. The strategy aims to align housing and planning priorities with social care, the NHS, and public health, and to support the draft Local Plan, ultimately leading to more effective and efficient services. The alternative of not adopting a strategy was rejected as it would undermine the council's ability to provide best value and would likely negatively impact outcomes for older people. The draft strategy was considered an adequate basis for consultation, being based on evidence, best practice, and extensive engagement with older residents.

Acquisition of homes in Tottenham

The Cabinet approved the acquisition of 565 homes in Tottenham for housing purposes. This acquisition supports the Council's commitment to deliver 3,000 Council homes by 2031, as outlined in the New Housing Strategy for Haringey 2024–29. The homes will provide secure, affordable housing for Haringey households in need. The acquisition aligns with the Council's established acquisitions programme, increasing the supply of modern, sustainable homes, reducing reliance on temporary accommodation, delivering General Fund cost savings, and supporting the provision of Key Worker housing funded by the Greater London Authority (GLA). The homes are expected to be of good standard, meet the Council's specifications, and are well-located with access to local amenities and transport infrastructure. The alternative of not acquiring the homes was rejected as it would represent a missed opportunity to meet the borough's growing housing needs and deliver a key element of the Council's Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS).

Under-Occupation Policy

The Cabinet approved the Under-Occupation Policy: Moving to a Smaller Home, along with amendments to the Tenancy Strategy. Delegated authority was granted to the Corporate Director of Adults, Housing and Health, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, to make updates to the payment structure and offers to residents within existing budgets. Authority was also delegated to make minor changes and updates to the policy wording, including those required by legislative changes or updates to Standards set by the Regulator of Social Housing. The commitments outlined in the policy will be met within existing budgets, and budgets for supporting residents moving to smaller homes will be updated through existing budgetary processes. The decision to approve the policy was made to clearly set out the Council's commitments and strengthen its offer to residents, thereby increasing the supply of family-sized homes. Delegations were required to allow for the annual review and updating of payments, which had remained unchanged for many years. The alternative of not approving the policy was dismissed as it was important to clearly set out the Council's offer for residents wishing to downsize and to keep that offer up to date, and the expected increase in larger family homes was essential to support the Council in housing larger families.

The Haringey Homelessness Strategy 2026 - 2027

The Cabinet approved the Haringey Homelessness Strategy 2026–2027. This decision follows a homelessness review and extensive consultation with stakeholders, including individuals with lived experience of homelessness and organisations supporting them. Under the Homelessness Act 2002, local authorities are required to conduct a homelessness review and formulate a homelessness strategy at least once every five years. The approved strategy has been developed over more than a year in response to such a review and extensive engagement. Delegated authority was granted to the Corporate Director of Adults and Housing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and the Director of Finance, to approve an action plan for publication, outlining how the Council and its partners will deliver the strategy. The alternative of not adopting the strategy was not recommended, as it had been developed through a thorough review of evidence and stakeholder engagement, and the Council is required to take its Homelessness Strategy into account when exercising its functions as a local housing authority.

Recycling and Waste Collection, Street Cleansing and Ancillary Services Contract Award

The Cabinet approved the award of a contract for Recycling and Waste Collection, Street Cleansing and Ancillary Services to Bidder B, the Preferred Bidder. The contract is valued at £230,358,134 and will commence on 17 April 2027 for an initial period of eight years, with an option to extend for a further eight years. This decision is subject to a 30-day Section 20 consultation with leaseholders and a 10-day standstill period. The Cabinet also approved that the results of the leaseholder consultation would be considered through a further report to the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning. The award of this contract enables the Council to continue fulfilling its statutory duty to collect waste and recycling and keep public spaces clean. The Preferred Bidder submitted the most economically advantageous tender, achieving the highest overall score and committing to exceeding the Council's minimum service requirements. The contract will deliver significant additional benefits, including reduced vehicle emissions, enhanced contract management, increased recycling initiatives, and innovative IT solutions. The new service model aligns with the Environment Act and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations. The option of doing nothing and allowing the current contract to expire was rejected as it would have prevented the Council from fulfilling its statutory duties. Other options, including extending the current arrangements or in-sourcing services, had been discounted previously, with the procurement of a new contract identified as offering the best value.

Procurement request for Responsive Repairs Sub-contracts

The Cabinet approved the commencement of a procurement process for long-term subcontract arrangements across eight contracts, delivering specialist trade lots. The overall contract value is £2,407,500 per year, with an average of £300,937.50 per lot and a maximum aggregated potential value of £16,852,500 over a maximum contract term of seven years, subject to satisfactory supplier performance and budget availability. Delegated authority was granted to the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning and Deputy Leader, in consultation with the Director of Housing, to approve the award of contracts following a competitive procurement and Section 20 consultation process. This decision is necessary to ensure that Haringey Repairs Service (HRS) has the specialist trade capacity, commercial stability, and contractual flexibility required to maintain safe and compliant homes. The existing subcontracting arrangements were fragmented and no longer capable of meeting operational demand or supporting statutory duties. Consolidating these arrangements into a coordinated procurement will reduce transactional overheads, improve value for money, and support more effective contract and performance management. The option of doing nothing was rejected due to significant risks, including service failure and non-compliance with statutory obligations. Full in-house delivery was also rejected due to insufficient internal capacity, specialist skills, and required accreditations.

Pre-approval to proceed to tender for Adult Social Care Home Care and Reablement Services

The Cabinet approved the commencement of a procurement process for Home Care and Reablement services as separate lots. The contract term will be up to eight years, with break clauses at year four and year six. A commissioning mix was approved that increases guaranteed hours from approximately 50% in Year 1 to around 70% by Year 3, with the remainder procured via the Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS). A Council-defined sustainable pricing approach, including a rate range and annual uplift mechanism, was also approved, with flexibility to respond to exceptional circumstances. The Cabinet agreed to an increased number of contracts and a cap on awards per provider to improve resilience and avoid over-concentration. The mobilisation approach, including TUPE where applicable, Electronic Call Monitoring (ECM), and phased transition arrangements, was noted and approved. Delegated authority was granted to the Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Wellbeing, in consultation with the Corporate Director of Adults, Housing and Health, to award contracts for Home Care and Reablement following the completion of the procurement process. This decision is to sustain and strengthen existing successful elements of Haringey’s model while addressing current pressures. Separating Home Care and Reablement into distinct lots emerged as a key learning from the current contract, ensuring clarity about Reablement's short-term, outcomes-focused role. Introducing Council-defined sustainable rates with transparent uplift rules aligns with fair-pay commitments and the requirement to consider the actual cost of care. Increasing guaranteed hours, distributing awards across more providers, and using ECM will collectively improve resilience, continuity, and contract oversight. The alternative of doing nothing or relying solely on the DPS was rejected, as was extending current arrangements only, delivering all home care in-house, or direct negotiation with incumbents.

Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) Spending Round 2

The Cabinet approved the spending of Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) on Round 2 projects. This decision follows the noting of all responses received regarding the consultation on spending the Round 2 NCIL. The collection and spending of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), including NCIL, is governed by the Planning Act 2008 and associated Regulations. The regulations allow the Council to set aside 15% of CIL receipts (25% in areas with an adopted Neighbourhood Plan) to support development by funding infrastructure provision, improvement, replacement, operation, or maintenance, or anything else concerned with addressing the demands that development places on an area. This portion of CIL is known as NCIL. The Council's adopted approach to spending NCIL, set out in its CIL Governance document (2020), dictates that NCIL should be spent on neighbourhood projects, with the neighbourhood proportion of CIL receipts pooled across the borough (except in Neighbourhood Forum Areas). The borough is divided into nine NCIL areas, each requiring consultation. The Council then determines spending based on project lists for each area, taking consultation feedback into account. The consultation for Round 2 was conducted in December 2025 and January 2026 to identify spending priorities. The proposed projects are consistent with the Haringey Deal and align with the Haringey Vision 2035. The alternative of not spending NCIL consistent with community priorities was dismissed, as the Council's CIL Governance document commits to identifying and implementing spending priorities through community consultation. Delaying the allocation of NCIL was also dismissed, as most projects funded under Round 1 had been delivered and further funding was available for investment.

Funding Acceptance from Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)

The Cabinet approved the acceptance of a grant from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) for the Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant (RSPARG) for the funding period 2025–26. The total grant funding amount is £2,137,751. This funding is ring-fenced for the purpose of preventing, reducing, and ending homelessness and rough sleeping. The grants enable the Council to fulfil its statutory responsibilities under legislation including the Homelessness Reduction Act 2019, the Care Act 2014, and the Equality Act 2010, by providing housing-related support to vulnerable people. In addition, the grants support the Council in achieving the strategic aims set out in the Corporate Delivery Plan 2024–26 and contribute to the strategic objectives of Adult Social Care and the Rough Sleeping Strategy 2023–27. The alternative of not accepting the grant was rejected, as the Council has a legal and statutory obligation to prevent and relieve homelessness.

Award two Heating Contracts to successful bidder.

The Cabinet approved the award of two heating contracts. Contract for Domestic East (Lot 1) was awarded to Bidder A, and Contract for Domestic West (Lot 2) was awarded to Bidder B. These decisions ensure compliance with statutory regulations regarding landlord duties and support minimal disruption, maximum safety, and the provision of sustainable homes for Council residents. Heating servicing, repairs, maintenance, and installations are critical for maintaining safety across the Council's housing stock, which comprises approximately 14,000 homes. The existing heating contracts were nearing the end of their five-year duration, necessitating re-tendering. Budget provision for these contracts is contained within the current Housing Revenue Account Medium-Term Financial Strategy (HRA MTFS). The option of doing nothing was not viable due to resident needs and statutory obligations. Continuing with the current contract was rejected as its period and value had been fully exhausted. Delivering the works in-house was discounted due to insufficient internal capacity and specialist expertise.

Approval to tender valuation and survey services relating to the acquisitions programme

The Cabinet approved the commencement of a procurement process to appoint a panel of external property professionals to deliver valuations, valuation advice, and technical and structural surveys for up to a three-year term from Quarter 3 of 2026/27 to Quarter 3 of 2029/30, with the option to extend by up to 24 months. Delegated authority was granted to the Cabinet Member for Housing, in consultation with the Corporate Director of Finance and Resources, to award the contract(s) to the most economically advantageous bidder(s). The Corporate Director of Finance and Resources was authorised to issue and execute any ancillary documents and implement the contract(s). This decision is necessary because the current valuers' contract is expiring and does not cover the full range of services and geographies required for the expanding Acquisitions Programme, which is scaling to approximately 250 acquisitions per annum. The alternative of doing nothing was discounted as it would create a critical gap in due diligence capacity and risk programme slippage. Extending the current arrangement was discounted due to its narrow scope and lack of flexibility. Delivering the work in-house only was discounted due to insufficient internal capacity and specialist expertise.

Matters Referred to Cabinet by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee

The Cabinet noted the recommendations of the Adults and Health Scrutiny Panel Review into Hospital Discharge and responded to these recommendations as set out in Appendix 2 of the report. The review focused on improving outcomes for residents following illness or significant life-changing events, with a particular emphasis on streamlining discharge pathways and strengthening multi-agency working. Key themes included the importance of clear, accessible information for residents, families, and carers; the need for a robust and transparent funding framework for Continuing Healthcare (CHC); and the recommendation for stronger multi-agency community teams, including housing officers and expanded trusted referrers. The Panel also highlighted the ongoing work to redesign reablement services and the need for clarity on how the new model will integrate with community partners and hospital teams. The Cabinet's response indicated agreement with most of the recommendations, with some noted as Subject to Agreement with Partners, requiring further discussion through the governance of the Borough Based Partnership.

Under-Occupation Policy

The Cabinet approved the Under-Occupation Policy: Moving to a Smaller Home, along with amendments to the Tenancy Strategy. Delegated authority was granted to the Corporate Director of Adults, Housing and Health, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, to make updates to the payment structure and offers to residents within existing budgets. Authority was also delegated to make minor changes and updates to the policy wording. The commitments outlined in the policy will be met within existing budgets. The decision was made to clearly set out the Council's commitments and strengthen its offer to residents, helping to increase the supply of family-sized homes. The alternative of not approving the policy was dismissed as it was important to clearly set out the Council's offer for residents wishing to downsize and to keep that offer up to date.

The Haringey Homelessness Strategy 2026 - 2027

The Cabinet approved the Haringey Homelessness Strategy 2026–2027. This strategy has been developed over more than a year, following a homelessness review and extensive engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, including people with lived experience of homelessness and organisations supporting them. Under the Homelessness Act 2002, local authorities are required to conduct a homelessness review and formulate and publish a homelessness strategy at least once every five years. Delegated authority was granted to the Corporate Director of Adults and Housing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and the Director of Finance, to approve an action plan for publication, setting out how the Council and its partners will deliver the strategy. The alternative of not adopting the strategy was not recommended, as it had been developed following a thorough review of evidence and extensive engagement, and the Council is required to take its Homelessness Strategy into account when exercising its functions as a local housing authority.

Recycling and Waste Collection, Street Cleansing and Ancillary Services Contract Award

The Cabinet approved the award of a contract for Recycling and Waste Collection, Street Cleansing and Ancillary Services to Bidder B, the Preferred Bidder. The contract is valued at £230,358,134 and will commence on 17 April 2027 for an initial period of eight years, with an option to extend for a further eight years. This decision is subject to leaseholder consultation and a standstill period. The award of this contract enables the Council to continue fulfilling its statutory duty to collect waste and recycling and keep public spaces clean. The Preferred Bidder submitted the most economically advantageous tender, committing to exceeding the Council's minimum service requirements. The contract will deliver significant additional benefits, including reduced vehicle emissions, enhanced contract management, increased recycling initiatives, and innovative IT solutions. The new service model aligns with the Environment Act and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations. The option of doing nothing was rejected as it would have prevented the Council from fulfilling its statutory duties.

Procurement request for Responsive Repairs Sub-contracts

The Cabinet approved the commencement of a procurement process for long-term subcontract arrangements across eight contracts, delivering specialist trade lots. The overall contract value is £2,407,500 per year, with a maximum aggregated potential value of £16,852,500 over a seven-year term. Delegated authority was granted to the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning and Deputy Leader, in consultation with the Director of Housing, to approve the award of contracts. This decision is necessary to ensure Haringey Repairs Service (HRS) has the specialist trade capacity, commercial stability, and contractual flexibility required to maintain safe and compliant homes. The existing subcontracting arrangements were fragmented and no longer capable of meeting operational demand or supporting statutory duties. Consolidating these arrangements will reduce transactional overheads, improve value for money, and support more effective contract and performance management. The option of doing nothing was rejected due to significant risks, and full in-house delivery was also rejected due to insufficient internal capacity.

Pre-approval to proceed to tender for Adult Social Care Home Care and Reablement Services

The Cabinet approved the commencement of a procurement process for Home Care and Reablement services as separate lots, with a contract term of up to eight years. A commissioning mix was approved that increases guaranteed hours and a sustainable pricing approach was also approved. The Cabinet agreed to an increased number of contracts and a cap on awards per provider to improve resilience. The mobilisation approach was noted and approved. Delegated authority was granted to the Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Wellbeing, in consultation with the Corporate Director of Adults, Housing and Health, to award contracts. This decision aims to sustain and strengthen existing successful elements of Haringey’s model while addressing current pressures. Separating Home Care and Reablement into distinct lots will ensure clarity about Reablement's role. Introducing sustainable rates aligns with fair-pay commitments. The alternative options of doing nothing, extending current arrangements only, delivering all home care in-house, or direct negotiation with incumbents were rejected.

Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) Spending Round 2

The Cabinet approved the spending of Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) on Round 2 projects. This decision follows the noting of all responses received regarding the consultation on spending the Round 2 NCIL. The collection and spending of CIL, including NCIL, is governed by the Planning Act 2008 and associated Regulations. The Council's adopted approach to spending NCIL dictates that it should be spent on neighbourhood projects, with the neighbourhood proportion of CIL receipts pooled across the borough. The borough is divided into nine NCIL areas, each requiring consultation. The Council then determines spending based on project lists for each area, taking consultation feedback into account. The alternative of not spending NCIL consistent with community priorities was dismissed, and delaying the allocation of NCIL was also dismissed.

Funding Acceptance from Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)

The Cabinet approved the acceptance of a grant from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) for the Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant (RSPARG) for the funding period 2025–26, totalling £2,137,751. This funding is ring-fenced for preventing, reducing, and ending homelessness and rough sleeping, enabling the Council to fulfil its statutory responsibilities. The alternative of not accepting the grant was rejected due to the Council's legal and statutory obligation to prevent and relieve homelessness.

Award two Heating Contracts to successful bidder.

The Cabinet approved the award of two heating contracts: one for Domestic East (Lot 1) to Bidder A, and one for Domestic West (Lot 2) to Bidder B. These decisions ensure compliance with statutory regulations and support the provision of safe and sustainable homes for Council residents. The existing heating contracts were nearing their end, necessitating re-tendering. The option of doing nothing or continuing with the current contract was rejected, and delivering the works in-house was discounted due to insufficient capacity.

Approval to tender valuation and survey services relating to the acquisitions programme

The Cabinet approved the commencement of a procurement process to appoint a panel of external property professionals for valuation and survey services. Delegated authority was granted to the Cabinet Member for Housing, in consultation with the Corporate Director of Finance and Resources, to award the contract(s). This decision is necessary as the current valuers' contract is expiring and does not cover the full range of services required for the expanding Acquisitions Programme. The alternatives of doing nothing, extending the current arrangement, or delivering the work in-house were rejected.

Approval of the Voluntary and Community Sector Action Plan

The Cabinet approved Haringey Community Collaborative's (HCC) priorities for the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) for 2025–2026 and the Council's approach to supporting the sector's delivery of these priorities through the implementation of the VCS Action Plan. This plan aims to strengthen the sector and support improved outcomes for Haringey's communities by aligning the Council's approach to supporting the VCS, responding to identified priorities, and focusing on funding, coordination, and partnership working. The approach of using HCC's VCS priorities to frame Council actions was preferred over a Council-designed strategy, as it allows the work to be led by the needs of the VCS as described by the sector itself.

High Road West - Next Steps

The Cabinet approved the commencement of a procurement exercise for the new-build development of 61 council homes at High Road West, Phase 1A. This decision facilitates the rehousing of residents on the Love Lane Estate into new permanent homes, in line with the commitments set out in the Love Lane Landlord Offer. The council homes will be built to high standards, contributing to the Council's commitment to deliver 3,000 new council homes by 2031. The alternative of not proceeding with direct delivery of Phase 1A was rejected as it would have meant no route to delivering a 100% council-home scheme that had already secured detailed planning permission and would have enabled the rehousing of around half of Love Lane residents.

Policy Update on Schools in Financial Difficulty

The Cabinet approved the revised Scheme of Financial Regulations and Standing Orders for Schools and the introduction of a £25,000 spending limit control for schools in financial difficulty or deficit. This update ensures that the controls governing how schools operate and use their delegated budgets are kept up to date, reflecting current Department for Education (DfE) guidance and changes in the operational environment. The policy aims to support schools and the Local Authority in working collaboratively to address and reduce structural deficits. The alternative of not updating the policy was not considered, as the preparation and publication of the Scheme for Financing Schools is a statutory requirement.

Pride in Place Funding

The Cabinet approved the acceptance of a £1.5 million grant from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) for the Pride in Place Impact Fund. This investment will support improvements identified as important by local communities, enabling the Council to respond more quickly to specific local issues raised by residents. The Cabinet also approved an increase to the approved General Fund capital programme by £1.5 million to deliver the schemes outlined in the report. Delegated authority was granted to the Corporate Director of Culture, Strategy and Communities to vary the schemes and budgets within the overall grant received. The alternative of doing nothing would have resulted in the funding being repaid to MHCLG, and making a decision at a later date would have risked not meeting the spend deadline. Funding projects using Council borrowing was not feasible due to the Council's financial position.

2025/26 Finance Update Quarter 3

The Cabinet noted the forecast total revenue outturn variance for the General Fund of £19 million, comprising £10.72 million in base budget pressures and £8.312 million from the non-delivery of savings. The net forecast for the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) indicated a £3.2 million overspend, while the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) showed a net forecast surplus of £1.791 million. The Cabinet also noted the forecast General Fund and HRA capital expenditure of £393.8 million, representing 72.9% of the revised budget. Revenue budget virements and the receipt of grants were approved, as were proposed budget adjustments and virements to the capital programme. Debt write-offs for Quarter Three 2025/26 were also noted. The Cabinet received updates on the Finance Response and Recovery Plans and progress against actions. The decision was made to approve these financial updates, recognising that strong financial management is crucial for delivering the council's priorities and meeting its statutory duties.

Corporate Delivery Plan Quarter 3 2025/26 Performance Update

The Cabinet reviewed the progress made against the commitments outlined in the Corporate Delivery Plan 2024–2026 as of the end of December 2025. A key outcome of this review was the noting of the final publication and launch of the Local Outcomes Framework (LOF). This framework, developed by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), represents a new approach to outcome-based accountability and is designed to simplify and consolidate local government funding streams. The metrics within the LOF will inform the new Corporate Delivery Plan and performance framework, aligning with the Borough Vision. The new framework is set to come into effect from April 2026. The Cabinet approved the noting of this progress and the launch of the LOF.

Adoption of a Digital Inclusion Policy

The Cabinet approved the adoption of a new Digital Inclusion Policy for Haringey, along with an Enhanced Offer detailed in the Digital Inclusion Roadmap. This policy aims to ensure all residents can access council services digitally by choice, preventing anyone from being excluded as services transition to digital channels. The decision was driven by the commitment to long-term, sustainable digital inclusion initiatives, which are fundamental to achieving the Borough Vision for Haringey, reducing inequalities, and improving financial, health, and social outcomes. The Digital Inclusion Roadmap is expected to have a lasting positive impact on communities and provide more equitable access to services. The Enhanced Offer was recommended and approved.

Approval of a four-year contract for dockless bike services

The Cabinet approved the appointment of two dockless e-bike providers for a period of two years, with an option for a further two-year extension, subject to performance. This decision follows a competitive tender process and allows the Council to enter into formal agreements with the selected suppliers to deliver dockless e-bike services in Haringey. The contract will be for a period of four years, from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2030. The decision was made because dockless e-bike hire services have become an established mode of transport in Haringey, with increasing user and journey figures. Entering into a formal contract will enable the Council to set clear rules and fees, ensuring increased and controlled management of the e-bikes and fair pricing for residents, businesses, and visitors.

Approval of a draft Older People's Housing Strategy for consultation

The Cabinet approved the Draft Older People’s Housing Strategy as the basis for consultation. They also approved the proposed consultation arrangements and noted that a revised draft of the strategy would be brought back to Cabinet for adoption following the consultation period. Adopting the strategy will assist the council in delivering best value and improving outcomes for older people by establishing a coordinated approach to housing for this demographic over the next fifteen years. The alternative of not adopting a strategy was rejected as it would undermine the council's ability to provide best value and would likely negatively impact outcomes for older people.

Acquisition of homes in Tottenham

The Cabinet approved the acquisition of 565 homes in Tottenham for housing purposes. This acquisition supports the Council's commitment to deliver 3,000 Council homes by 2031. The homes will provide secure, affordable housing for Haringey households in need. The acquisition aligns with the Council's established acquisitions programme, increasing the supply of modern, sustainable homes, reducing reliance on temporary accommodation, delivering General Fund cost savings, and supporting the provision of Key Worker housing. The alternative of not acquiring the homes was rejected as it would represent a missed opportunity to meet the borough's growing housing needs and deliver a key element of the Council's Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS).

Under-Occupation Policy

The Cabinet approved the Under-Occupation Policy: Moving to a Smaller Home, along with amendments to the Tenancy Strategy. Delegated authority was granted to the Corporate Director of Adults, Housing and Health, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, to make updates to the payment structure and offers to residents within existing budgets. Authority was also delegated to make minor changes and updates to the policy wording. The commitments outlined in the policy will be met within existing budgets. The decision was made to clearly set out the Council's commitments and strengthen its offer to residents, helping to increase the supply of family-sized homes.

The Haringey Homelessness Strategy 2026 - 2027

The Cabinet approved the Haringey Homelessness Strategy 2026–2027. This strategy has been developed over more than a year, following a homelessness review and extensive engagement with a wide range of stakeholders. Delegated authority was granted to the Corporate Director of Adults and Housing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and the Director of Finance, to approve an action plan for publication, setting out how the Council and its partners will deliver the strategy. The alternative of not adopting the strategy was not recommended.

Recycling and Waste Collection, Street Cleansing and Ancillary Services Contract Award

The Cabinet approved the award of a contract for Recycling and Waste Collection, Street Cleansing and Ancillary Services to Bidder B, the Preferred Bidder. The contract is valued at £230,358,134 and will commence on 17 April 2027 for an initial period of eight years, with an option to extend for a further eight years. This decision is subject to leaseholder consultation and a standstill period. The award of this contract enables the Council to continue fulfilling its statutory duty to collect waste and recycling and keep public spaces clean. The Preferred Bidder submitted the most economically advantageous tender, committing to exceeding the Council's minimum service requirements. The contract will deliver significant additional benefits, including reduced vehicle emissions, enhanced contract management, increased recycling initiatives, and innovative IT solutions. The option of doing nothing was rejected as it would have prevented the Council from fulfilling its statutory duties.

Procurement request for Responsive Repairs Sub-contracts

The Cabinet approved the commencement of a procurement process for long-term subcontract arrangements across eight contracts, delivering specialist trade lots. The overall contract value is £2,407,500 per year, with a maximum aggregated potential value of £16,852,500 over a seven-year term. Delegated authority was granted to the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning and Deputy Leader, in consultation with the Director of Housing, to approve the award of contracts. This decision is necessary to ensure Haringey Repairs Service (HRS) has the specialist trade capacity, commercial stability, and contractual flexibility required to maintain safe and compliant homes. The existing subcontracting arrangements were fragmented and no longer capable of meeting operational demand or supporting statutory duties. Consolidating these arrangements will reduce transactional overheads, improve value for money, and support more effective contract and performance management. The option of doing nothing was rejected due to significant risks, and full in-house delivery was also rejected due to insufficient internal capacity.

Pre-approval to proceed to tender for Adult Social Care Home Care and Reablement Services

The Cabinet approved the commencement of a procurement process for Home Care and Reablement services as separate lots, with a contract term of up to eight years. A commissioning mix was approved that increases guaranteed hours and a sustainable pricing approach was also approved. The Cabinet agreed to an increased number of contracts and a cap on awards per provider to improve resilience. The mobilisation approach was noted and approved. Delegated authority was granted to the Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Wellbeing, in consultation with the Corporate Director of Adults, Housing and Health, to award contracts. This decision aims to sustain and strengthen existing successful elements of Haringey’s model while addressing current pressures. Separating Home Care and Reablement into distinct lots will ensure clarity about Reablement's role. Introducing sustainable rates aligns with fair-pay commitments. The alternative options of doing nothing, extending current arrangements only, delivering all home care in-house, or direct negotiation with incumbents were rejected.

Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) Spending Round 2

The Cabinet approved the spending of Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) on Round 2 projects. This decision follows the noting of all responses received regarding the consultation on spending the Round 2 NCIL. The collection and spending of CIL, including NCIL, is governed by the Planning Act 2008 and associated Regulations. The Council's adopted approach to spending NCIL dictates that it should be spent on neighbourhood projects, with the neighbourhood proportion of CIL receipts pooled across the borough. The alternative of not spending NCIL consistent with community priorities was dismissed, and delaying the allocation of NCIL was also dismissed.

Funding Acceptance from Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)

The Cabinet approved the acceptance of a grant from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) for the Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant (RSPARG) for the funding period 2025–26, totalling £2,137,751. This funding is ring-fenced for preventing, reducing, and ending homelessness and rough sleeping, enabling the Council to fulfil its statutory responsibilities. The alternative of not accepting the grant was rejected due to the Council's legal and statutory obligation to prevent and relieve homelessness.

Award two Heating Contracts to successful bidder.

The Cabinet approved the award of two heating contracts: one for Domestic East (Lot 1) to Bidder A, and one for Domestic West (Lot 2) to Bidder B. These decisions ensure compliance with statutory regulations and support the provision of safe and sustainable homes for Council residents. The existing heating contracts were nearing their end, necessitating re-tendering. The option of doing nothing or continuing with the current contract was rejected, and delivering the works in-house was discounted due to insufficient capacity.

Approval to tender valuation and survey services relating to the acquisitions programme

The Cabinet approved the commencement of a procurement process to appoint a panel of external property professionals for valuation and survey services. Delegated authority was granted to the Cabinet Member for Housing, in consultation with the Corporate Director of Finance and Resources, to award the contract(s). This decision is necessary as the current valuers' contract is expiring and does not cover the full range of services required for the expanding Acquisitions Programme. The alternatives of doing nothing, extending the current arrangement, or delivering the work in-house were rejected.

Approval of the Voluntary and Community Sector Action Plan

The Cabinet approved Haringey Community Collaborative's (HCC) priorities for the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) for 2025–2026 and the Council's approach to supporting the sector's delivery of these priorities through the implementation of the VCS Action Plan. This plan aims to strengthen the sector and support improved outcomes for Haringey's communities by aligning the Council's approach to supporting the VCS, responding to identified priorities, and focusing on funding, coordination, and partnership working. The approach of using HCC's VCS priorities to frame Council actions was preferred over a Council-designed strategy, as it allows the work to be led by the needs of the VCS as described by the sector itself.

High Road West - Next Steps

The Cabinet approved the commencement of a procurement exercise for the new-build development of 61 council homes at High Road West, Phase 1A. This decision facilitates the rehousing of residents on the Love Lane Estate into new permanent homes, in line with the commitments set out in the Love Lane Landlord Offer. The council homes will be built to high standards, contributing to the Council's commitment to deliver 3,000 new council homes by 2031. The alternative of not proceeding with direct delivery of Phase 1A was rejected as it would have meant no route to delivering a 100% council-home scheme that had already secured detailed planning permission and would have enabled the rehousing of around half of Love Lane residents.

Policy Update on Schools in Financial Difficulty

The Cabinet approved the revised Scheme of Financial Regulations and Standing Orders for Schools and the introduction of a £25,000 spending limit control for schools in financial difficulty or deficit. This update ensures that the controls governing how schools operate and use their delegated budgets are kept up to date, reflecting current Department for Education (DfE) guidance and changes in the operational environment. The policy aims to support schools and the Local Authority in working collaboratively to address and reduce structural deficits.

Pride in Place Funding

The Cabinet approved the acceptance of a £1.5 million grant from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) for the Pride in Place Impact Fund. This investment will support improvements identified as important by local communities, enabling the Council to respond more quickly to specific local issues raised by residents. The Cabinet also approved an increase to the approved General Fund capital programme by £1.5 million to deliver the schemes outlined in the report. Delegated authority was granted to the Corporate Director of Culture, Strategy and Communities to vary the schemes and budgets within the overall grant received. The alternative of doing nothing would have resulted in the funding being repaid to MHCLG, and making a decision at a later date would have risked not meeting the spend deadline. Funding projects using Council borrowing was not feasible due to the Council's financial position.