The Full Council meeting on Monday 16 March 2026 saw the approval of the council's budget for 2026/27, which includes a 4.99% increase in council tax. The meeting also addressed the Fifteenth Annual Carbon Report, detailing progress on carbon reduction targets and outlining future strategies.

Tackling Poverty in Haringey

A motion proposed by Councillor Mary Mason and seconded by Councillor Mark Blake, titled Tackling Poverty in Haringey, was considered. The motion highlighted significant issues within the borough, including the 4th highest unemployment rate in London, high rates of bailiff-led repossessions, and a substantial proportion of residents unable to afford basic essentials. It also noted that systemic racism contributes to poverty among Black residents, and that inequalities are worsening, leading to a fall in life expectancy and an increase in families living in temporary accommodation. The motion stated that Haringey is the 4th most deprived local authority area in London, despite also containing areas of significant wealth.

The Council believes that poverty and inequality are urgent issues requiring focused, resident-led action, and that those with lived experience of poverty must be central to shaping solutions.

The Council resolved to appoint a Poverty Commissioner. This commissioner will convene an elected and representative group of residents with lived experience of poverty to report on current issues affecting those experiencing poverty, identify necessary changes to address inequalities and improve outcomes, and present their findings and proposals to a dedicated Full Council meeting focused on driving poverty out of the borough.

Support for the Together Alliance

Councillor Lucia das Neves, seconded by Councillor Seema Chandwani, proposed a motion titled Support for the Together Alliance. The motion noted the growing voices of division and the divisive and racist rhetoric of extremism, which exploits economic problems to scapegoat various communities. It stated that all tiers of government have a responsibility to implement policies and investments that address community challenges, tackle wealth inequality, and reject all forms of racism and discrimination. The motion highlighted the Together Alliance as a new campaign offering a platform of love, unity and hope to oppose the far right and politics of division.

The Council believes that London is a diverse city with a progressive, inclusive agenda supported by Mayor Sadiq Khan. It asserts that change can be achieved through solidarity and working together to reject division and racism, build community solidarity, and unite against the far right.

The Council resolved to renew its commitments as a Borough of Welcome, developing a new Welcome Strategy to ensure dignity and respect for all residents. It also resolved to endorse the Together Alliance's message of hope over fear ahead of their planned demonstration on 28th March 2026. Furthermore, the Council committed to continuing its work with community networks and the Multi-Faith Forum to challenge national narratives, build unity, and tackle xenophobia, antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-black racism, and all forms of discrimination. Finally, the Council pledged to work with anti-racist and human rights campaign groups opposing hate groups assembling in the city.

Fifteenth Annual Carbon Report

The Council received the Fifteenth Annual Carbon Report (2025), which details progress towards the Haringey Climate Change Action Plan (HCCAP) targets. Borough-wide emissions have fallen by 26% since 2015, with a 6% reduction in the last year. However, this rate of reduction is below the 51% needed to meet the 2041 net zero target. Emissions have decreased across most sectors, aided by the decarbonisation of electricity, and Haringey's per capita emissions remain below the London and neighbouring borough averages.

The council's corporate emissions have reduced by 66% since 2014/15, despite a temporary increase due to the insourcing of three leisure centres. Investments continue in solar energy across the council's estate and schools, with preparations underway for the move to a retrofitted Civic Centre in 2027. The report outlines the investment of £2.23 million from Haringey's Carbon Offset Fund across seven programmes aimed at cutting emissions and delivering wider benefits, including decarbonising the corporate estate, tackling fuel poverty, expanding renewable energy, strengthening green skills, and supporting behaviour change. The four-year extension of the Haringey Community Carbon Fund is highlighted as an example of the Haringey Deal in action, enabling residents and local organisations to deliver climate projects.

The council is also reshaping its communication of climate progress, planning to work with residents through the Haringey Climate Partnership and wider engagement to co-design future reporting formats. This approach aims to make climate information more focused on real outcomes, supporting residents and the community to see progress, understand challenges, and be inspired to take climate action. The report recommends the publication of the Fifteenth Annual Carbon Report and continued support for carbon reduction initiatives.

Budget and Council Tax

The Council approved the 2026/27 Budget and the 2026/31 Medium Term Financial Strategy. This includes an increase of 2.99% in Haringey's element of the Council Tax, plus an additional 2% for the Adult Social Care Precept. The General Fund budget requirement for 2026/27 was set at £353.027 million, net of the Dedicated Schools Budget. The 2026/31 General Fund Capital Programme was also approved.

The Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2026/27 was adopted without changes, continuing to provide up to 100% discounts for pensioners, disabled residents, and low-income families with children, and up to 80.2% for other low-income households.

Other Reports and Questions

The Council received reports from the Audit Committee on its Treasury Management Strategy Update, the Standards Committee regarding the Member Allowances Scheme and changes to the Council's Constitution, and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee's Annual Report and updated terms of reference.

Several questions were raised by councillors on various topics, including safeguarding referrals, the importance of council house building, vacant council properties, steps taken to make Haringey greener, the future of Hornsey Town Hall, improvements to children and young people's lives, plans for teaching assistants, and improvements to parks and play areas. A question was also posed regarding the impact of the new Roger Sylvester Centre on mental health support in Haringey.

Urgent Decision: Microsoft Enterprise Subscription Agreement

An urgent decision was made regarding the Microsoft Enterprise Subscription Agreement. Councillor Dana Carlin, Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services, approved the award of a new contract to Bidder A for a three-year period from 1st May 2026 to 30th April 2029, with a maximum value of £5,445,000. This decision was deemed urgent due to the impending expiry of the current contract on 30 April 2026 and the need to complete the procurement process, including a statutory standstill period, by 31st March 2026 to ensure continuity of Microsoft services and avoid significant disruption. The procurement process involved a competitive mini-competition under the Crown Commercial Services (CCS) framework RM6098, with Bidder A providing the most economically advantageous tender. The decision was taken under special urgency procedures, with the agreement of the Chair of Overview & Scrutiny Committee that the call-in procedure would not apply. The contract will include provisions for social value, aiming to enhance the employability of local residents.