The Cabinet of Enfield Council met on Wednesday 22 April 2026, approving significant investments in the borough's highways and street scene, and implementing a new selective licensing scheme for private rented housing. The Cabinet also approved the business plan for Housing Gateway Ltd for the upcoming financial year.

Borough Capital Programme 2026/27 - Highways and Street Scene

The Cabinet approved the 2026/27 Capital programme budget for Highway Operations, totalling £7,165,000. This funding will be sourced from £3,165,000 in Department for Transport (DfT) grant and £4,000,000 from the General Fund capital receipts. The funds will be allocated to various schemes, including major capital renewal and resurfacing programmes for carriageways (£2,700,000) and footways (£1,435,000), a Highway Defects Capital Improvement Programme (£2,500,000), and Bridge Capital Improvement Programme (£500,000). Additionally, £30,000 is allocated for minor highway capital improvements. Authority was delegated to the Director of Transport, Climate and Place to manage the procurement and award of contracts, and to amend the programme of works and funding allocations as necessary for operational reasons. A significant allocation of £7.5 million was also approved for major works at Lea Valley Bridge, subject to further design work and funding confirmation, with the aim of avoiding future weight restrictions or closure.

Selective Licensing Scheme - Private Rented Housing

The Cabinet approved the designation of a selective licensing area covering 17 wards of the London Borough of Enfield, effective from 1 September 2026. This scheme requires landlords of privately rented homes in these areas to obtain a licence, aiming to improve housing standards and tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB). The decision followed a public consultation process, the outcomes of which were noted, along with supporting evidence highlighting the scale of problems in the private rented sector. The proposed licensing scheme objectives, conditions, and fee structure were also approved. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director for Environment and Communities to issue statutory notifications and manage the scheme's review and any necessary changes to administration, fees, and conditions. Annual consultation with the Chief Finance Officer regarding the ring-fenced trading account's financial performance was also agreed.

Housing Gateway Ltd Business Plan 2026/27

The Cabinet approved the Housing Gateway Ltd (HGL) Business Plan for 2026/27. This plan outlines the company's strategic, operational, and financial priorities for the next financial year, detailing its role in supporting the Council's savings targets, improving accommodation quality, and responding to housing market pressures. HGL, a wholly-owned company, manages a portfolio of properties valued at £165 million and delivers significant financial benefits, including an annual cost avoidance of £17.6 million. The business plan focuses on five key objectives: maximising financial returns to the shareholder while maintaining resident outcomes and property safety; supporting innovative housing solutions; preparing for legislative changes like the Renters Reform Act; strengthening governance; and meeting specialist accommodation needs. The plan forecasts a profit before tax of £1.0 million on a turnover of £29 million for 2026/27, while continuing to support the Council's objective of reducing temporary accommodation costs.

Quarter 3 2025/26 Performance Report

The Cabinet noted the progress being made against the key priority indicators for Enfield as presented in the Quarter 3 2025/26 Performance Report. The report highlighted achievements in areas such as housing, with increased planning approvals for new homes, and environmental improvements, with a significant number of fly tips cleared. Leisure centre visits had exceeded annual targets, and education and children's services maintained high standards. Financial resilience was also strengthened, with a reduction in Council Tax arrears. However, the report also noted areas for improvement, such as recycling rates and response times for complaints and Freedom of Information requests.