Public Document Pack
LONDON BOROUGH OF ENFIELD
AGENDA FOR THE COUNCIL MEETING TO BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 12TH NOVEMBER, 2008 AT 7.00 PM
THE WORSHIPFUL THE MAYOR Please Repy to: Stephen Addison AND COUNCILLORS OF THE LONDON BOROUGH OF ENFIELD Phone: (020) 8379 4097 Fax: (020) 8379 3177 Textphone: (020) 8379 4419 E-mail: [email protected] My Ref: DST/SA
Date: 4 November 2008
Dear Councillor,
You are summoned to attend the meeting of the Council of the London Borough of Enfield to be held at the Civic Centre, Silver Street, Enfield on Wednesday, 12th November, 2008 at 7.00 pm for the purpose of transacting the business set out below.
Yours sincerely
Assistant Director, Corporate Governance
1. ELECTION (IF REQUIRED) OF THE CHAIRMAN/DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF THE MEETING
2. MAYOR’S CHAPLAIN TO GIVE A BLESSING
The Mayor’s Chaplain to give a blessing.
3. MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS (15 MINUTES APPROXIMATELY)
4. MINUTES (Pages 1 - 12)
To approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the Council meeting held on 17 September 2008.
5. APOLOGIES
6. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS (Pages 13 - 14)
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Members of the Council are invited to identify any personal or prejudicial interests relevant to items on the agenda. Please refer to the guidance note attached to the agenda.
7. OPPOSITION BUSINESS - THE COUNCIL'S FINANCES (Pages 15 - 20)
An issues paper prepared by the Labour Group is attached for the consideration of Council.
The Constitution Procedure Rules relating to Opposition Business are attached for information.
8. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM CONSTITUTION REVIEW GROUP (Pages 21 - 30)
To receive the report of the Director of Finance and Corporate Resources (No. 134) setting out a number of issues from the Constitution Review Group. The report includes recommendations on the Planning Committee Code of Practice, Call-In Procedure, Council Meeting Procedures (Content/Length of Speeches and Speakers) and Standards Committee Independent Members (Council Meeting Procedures).
9. STANDARDS COMMITTEE – LOCAL ASSESSMENT AND INVESTIGATIONS (Pages 31 - 34)
To receive the report of the Director of Finance and Corporate Resources (No. 135) reporting back following the discussion at the last Council meeting and highlighting what is perceived by the Assessment Sub-Committee to be unsatisfactory drafting of the legislation in relation to ‘other action’ and the consequences of this proving unsuccessful.
10. STANDARDS COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT (Pages 35 - 42)
To receive the fifth Annual Report of the London Borough of Enfield’s Standards Committee (No. 136). The report sets out the key issues the Committee has dealt with during the past year and looks ahead to priorities for 2008/09.
11. NEW CONSERVATION AREAS – PROPOSED ARTICLE 4 DIRECTIONS (Pages 43 - 58)
To receive the report of the Interim Director of Place Shaping and Enterprise (No. 137) recommending that the permitted development rights be withdrawn within the proposed new conservation areas detailed within the report. This is achieved by serving Article 4 Directions on identified properties and specifying what works need to be the subject of a planning application.
To note that the Cabinet meeting on 5 November 2008 is to consider a report on the designation of four new conservation areas – Grange Park, Meadway, Southgate Circus and The Crescent. The decision will be notified to
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members as soon as possible.
12. LONDON LOCAL AUTHORITIES ACT 1990 - STREET TRADING (Pages 59 - 68)
To receive the report of the Director of Environment and Street Scene (No. 138) regarding the Street Trading Policy agreed by Council on 17 September 2008.
In order to enact that policy, Council is required to pass a resolution to designate streets within the borough for street trading.
13. FAIR TRADE (TO FOLLOW) (Pages 69 - 72)
To receive the report of the Fair Trade Working Group (No. 139) informing Council that following an application submitted to the Fairtrade Foundation in July 2008 Enfield Borough was awarded Fairtrade Status in September 2008 and is now recognised as a Fairtrade Borough.
14. PLACE SHAPING STRATEGY (Pages 73 - 108)
To receive the report of the Chief Executive (No. 126) proposing a draft Place Shaping Strategy for the approval of Council. This report has been produced to enable the Council to enhance its presentation of place shaping in Enfield and externally with key national and regional bodies including central government and the private sector.
The recommendations set out in the report are to be considered at the Cabinet meeting on 5 November 2008. The decision will be notified to members as soon as possible.
15. COUNCILLORS’ QUESTION TIME (TIME ALLOWED - 30 MINUTES) (Pages 109 - 118)
15.1 Urgent Questions (Part 4 - Paragraph 9.2.(b) of Constitution – Page 4- 9)
With the permission of the Mayor, questions on urgent issues may be tabled with the proviso of a subsequent written response if the issue requires research or is considered by the Mayor to be minor.
Please note that the Mayor will decide whether a question is urgent or not. The definition of an urgent question is “An issue which could not reasonably have been foreseen or anticipated prior to the deadline for the submission of questions and which needs to be considered before the next meeting of the Council.”
A supplementary question is not permitted.
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15.2 Councillors’ Questions (Part 4 – Paragraph 9.2(a) of Constitution – Page 4 - 8)
The fifteen questions and responses are attached to the agenda.
16. MOTIONS
16.1 In the name of Councillor Rye
“Enfield Council applauds the service of the late Councillor John Jackson JP to our borough across the past 40 years.”
16.2 In the name of Councillor Hurer
“Enfield Council is proud of the investment in each of the three parliamentary constituencies in the borough and note this could only be achieved through the prudent management of the borough’s finances since 2002.”
17. URGENT DECISIONS REQUIRING THE WAIVING OF THE CALL-IN PROCEDURE (PART 4.2 – PARAGRAPH 17.3 – PAGE 4-34)
Council is asked to note the decision taken and the reasons for urgency. The decision set out below was made in accordance with the Council’s Constitution and Scrutiny Rules of Procedure (Paragraph 17.3 - relating to the waiving of the requirement to allow a 5-day call-in period):
i. Extension of Measured Term Contract for Mechanical & Electrical Building Services, Planned Maintenance Works, Annual Servicing, Periodic Testing & Inspections (Non-Housing)
Decision: To extend the Measured Term Contract with Munns Ltd for Mechanical & Electrical Building Services, Planned Maintenance Works, Annual Servicing, Periodic Testing & Inspections (Non-Housing). For a Further Period Commencing June 2008 to August 2008
Reason for Urgency: Urgent approval was sought for the implementation of this decision because the current service contract was due to expire at the end of June 2008, and it was essential that the Council had a contract in place to ensure the efficient running of engineering plants and to meet statutory requirements associated with electrical and mechanical engineering installations.
18. MEMBERSHIPS
To confirm any changes to committee memberships.
19. NOMINATIONS TO OUTSIDE BODIES
To confirm any changes to nominations to outside bodies.
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20. CALLED IN DECISIONS
None received.
21. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Council will be held on Wednesday 28 January 2009 at 7.00 p.m. at the Civic Centre.
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COUNCIL - 17.9.2008
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER 2008
COUNCILLORS
PRESENT Lee Chamberlain (Mayor), John Jackson (Deputy Mayor), Pamela Adams, Kate Anolue, Gregory Antoniou, Alan Barker, John Boast, Chris Bond, Yasemin Brett, Kris Brown, Jayne Buckland, Bambos Charalambous, Christopher Cole, Dogan Delman, Tony Dey, Christiana During, Peter Fallart, Norman Ford, Achilleas Georgiou, Vivien Giladi, Del Goddard, Jonas Hall, Ahmet Hasan, Elaine Hayward, Robert Hayward, Denise Headley, Ruth Hones, Ertan Hurer, Chris Joannides, Eric Jukes, Jon Kaye, Matthew Laban, Henry Lamprecht, Bernadette Lappage, Michael Lavender, Dino Lemonides, Paul McCannah, Donald McGowan, Kieran McGregor, Chris Murphy, Terence Neville, Ayfer Orhan, Ahmet Oykener, Anne- Marie Pearce, Henry Pipe, Martin Prescott, Geoffrey Robinson, Jeff Rodin, Michael Rye, Eleftherios Savva, George Savva MBE, Toby Simon, Edward Smith, Terence Smith, Andrew Stafford, Doug Taylor, Glynis Vince, Kate Wilkinson and Ann Zinkin
ABSENT Christopher Andrew, Chaudhury Anwar MBE, Andreas Constantinides and Annette Dreblow 40 MAYOR’S CHAPLAIN TO GIVE A BLESSING
The Mayor’s Chaplain The Reverend Stephen Leader gave a blessing on the Council.
41 MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Mayor made the following announcements:
1. Welcome
Good evening Councillors, I hope you all managed to get away in August; that your holidays don’t seem like distant memories, and that you all feel refreshed and ready to go.
Good evening also to the members of the public in the gallery. As I recognise everyone present I don’t think there is a need to remind you of how things work in the chamber. You are very welcome here.
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COUNCIL - 17.9.2008
2. Update on my activities
Turning now to the subject of my duties. As you might expect, in the time since our last Council meeting I’ve been kept fairly busy performing my role as Mayor.
I’ve had a cracking time, true the weather was not always at its best, but many of the people of Enfield have shined. The Enfield Carnival was a classic example of this, the weather was so wet, it could have been called the Enfield Regatta, but the parader’s paraded and the adults and children who braved the weather clearly enjoyed it. The organisers and participants are to be commended for their tenacity and showmanship.
3. Youth Games
By way of contrast the weather for the Youth Games in July was pretty good, as was the improvement in the final results for Enfield, with our collective results pushing us up into the top ten performing boroughs.
For many of our teams competing, it was their first time at the event; and they were competing against generally older competitors. But watching them compete its clear to me that we have a lot of young talented athletes in Enfield, and in the years to come, the results are going to improve much further.
4. Paralympics
Keeping with the theme of athletics. Today I was able to meet with two young athletes who are both members of Enfield’s gold winning London Youth Disability Games Team.
Both Athletes also attend the Sports Development Team’s Athletics Academy at Lea Valley Athletics Centre and were selected by UK Athletics to represent the London Squad at the National Junior Games.
Both boys performed extremely well and UK Athletics scouts were very impressed. They will now be speaking for the London 2012 Paralympics.
At the moment British Officials are campaigning for athletes with intellectual disabilities to be allowed back into the Paralympics, I hope they do as Enfield has some very strong candidates for the GB squad.
5. Memorial service
On a sadder note, it was my privilege to be able to commemorate the 70 th Anniversary of the Dunholme Road Air Disaster in Edmonton, which killed 12 and injured 15 Edmonton residents.
At the time it was the worst air disaster in British history, and if you have read the accounts you will know it was truly horrifying.
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COUNCIL - 17.9.2008
The memorial service was well received by survivors and relatives who were able to attend. It was good to show them that this was still an event that touched the hearts of the people of the Borough.
6. Autumn Show
On a happier note, a couple of weekends ago was the Autumn Show, which I am sure most will agree is a jewel in the crown of Enfield’s outdoor events.
While damp on occasions, a great time was had by a lot of Enfield residents and I was pleased to see so many of you join me on the Sunday for afternoon tea.
It’s a great event, which does our Borough proud. My congratulations to all the organisers and participants who helped make the event such a success.
7. Fun Run
Last Sunday was of course the day of my Fun Run, and I was pleased to wave off around a 1000 participants, some of whom did both the 3K run followed by the 10K run.
The weather was excellent and the run, in such a splendid setting was clearly enjoyed by all involved.
I must reiterate again my gratitude to the Officers, volunteers, donors and sponsors who made the whole thing such a great event.
My congratulations should also go to Cllr Headley for completing the 3K run and improving on her run by about 2 minutes.
Who knows maybe next year, with a bit of training perhaps I’ll run too. Don’t count on it though.
8. Community events
I have attended quite a number of other events since the last Council, but we have a long agenda tonight, so I won’t list them.
But, I must just mention the World Record breaking success of Highlands school who along with 3 primary schools assembled 147 dancers and some 700 zombie extras to successfully beat the world record for the largest enactment of Michael Jackson’s Thriller dance, previously held by a group in Canada with 62 dancers.
Along with Minty from Eastenders and the singer Andy Abraham I acted as the required official witness testifying as to the success of the event.
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COUNCIL - 17.9.2008
The event also raised some £750 for the Teenage Cancer Charity Trust, and really I commend the School for arranging this event.
42 MINUTES
AGREED that the minutes of the Council meeting held on 25 June 2008 be confirmed and signed as a correct record subject to the following amendments:
Page 11 1st paragraph last line to read "Councillors already in their”
Page 17 Question 8 to read “response to the supplementary question was given by Councillor Rye”
43 APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Andrew, Anwar, Constantinides and Dreblow. Apologies for lateness were received from Councillors Orhan, Prescott and Stafford.
44 DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
The following declarations of interest were made at the meeting:
Councillor Brett declared a predjudicial interest in Item No. 9 Town Twinning – Two new partnerships proposed. Councillor Lemonides declared a predjudicial interest in Item No. 17 – Motion relating to Chase Farm Hospital and left the room for the debate and subsequent vote. Councillors E Smith, Fallart, Lamprecht, Oykener, Buckland and Taylor declared personal interests in Item No. 13 – Enfield Homes Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO) AGM – Nomination of Council Representative. Councillor Lavender declared a personal interest in Item No. 10 – Standards Committee – Revised Terms of Reference.
45 CHANGE OF ORDER OF BUSINESS
Councillor Hurer moved and Councillor Rye seconded a motion to change the order of business on the agenda under paragraph 2.2 (page 4-5) of the Council’s Procedure Rules to enable the meeting to take agenda item 17.1 as the next item of business. This was agreed by the meeting.
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46 MOTIONS
Councillor Wilkinson moved and Councillor Pearce seconded a motion that:
"The decision to remove all front line services from Chase Farm Hospital shows utter contempt for the democratic process. Public opinion has been consistently demonstrated over the past few years. There have been cross- party, large scale public demonstrations and collectively we have handed in petitions, letters and signed forms in excess of 79,000 during this time. All have stated the need to retain a fully functioning A and E, consultant-led women, children and maternity services at Chase Farm Hospital.
One million people will be adversely affected by this decision. The most vulnerable members of our society will be most affected namely:
Those in need of emergency care; women in labour; very sick children and anyone without their own transport.
This Council mandates the Leader of the Council and the Chairman of the Health Scrutiny Panel to write to the Secretary of State for Health to invite him to explain this decision to the residents of Enfield.
Given that public opinion has been so blatantly ignored it is unacceptable that an undeclared amount of public money, running into many millions of pounds has been wasted on a meaningless consultation. This money should have been spent on healthcare and should at the very least be declared before yet another meaningless 'public consultation' begins.
Patient choice; accessibility and clinical safety have all been severely compromised by this decision. This makes a mockery of the Government's own policies and recommendations.
We would like to pay tribute to the work of the Health Scrutiny Committee; it's officers and cross-party members who have worked hard to underline the many reasons why this decision is not in the best interests of those we all represent. Many other groups and members of the public have also worked hard to support the campaign. We are grateful for this support and are utterly appalled that so many voices have been ignored.“
During the debate Councillor Rodin moved and Councillor Giladi seconded the following amendment:
“Delete the first 3 paragraphs
Rewrite the 4 th paragraph to read: “This Council mandates the Leader of the Council and the Chairman of the Health Scrutiny Panel to write to the Secretary of State for Health, to invite him to come to Enfield and explain what provisions at Chase Farm Hospital we can expect of:
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COUNCIL - 17.9.2008
• A & E • Women and Childrens’ Services • Transport”
Delete paragraphs 5 and 6
Rewrite the final paragraph to read:
“We would like to pay tribute to the work of the Health Scrutiny Committee, its officers and cross-party members who have worked hard to underline why the PCT’s original proposals were not in the best interest of those we represent. Many other groups and individual members of the public have also worked hard and without their collective effort Chase Farm Hospital may well have closed.”
After a lengthy debate the amendment was put to the vote with the following result:
For: 24 Against: 32 Abstentions: 0
Following a lengthy debate the motion was put to the vote with the following result:
For: 32 Against: 0 Abstentions: 24
AGREED that the above motion be approved.
47 YOUNG PEOPLES LIFE OPPORTUNITIES COMMISSION UPDATE
Councillor Prescott moved and Councillor Taylor seconded the report of the Director of Finance and Corporate Resources (No.83) providing Council with an update on the Commissions work.
NOTED
1. that Councillor Prescott advised the Council that the indicative costings for the appointment of consultants to support the review would be approximately £20,000.
2. the commitment from Councillor Hurer that he would endeavour to ensure the Panel had adequate resources to do its work.
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AGREED
1. to note the report and that it was likely that the work of the Commission would be completed by April/ May 2009.
2. that the work of the Commission and the Edmonton Review should be effectively aligned.
3. to note the £20,000 indicative costs for the appointment of consultants to support the review.
48 APPROVAL OF ENFIELD HERITAGE STRATEGY FOLLOWING PUBLIC CONSULTATION
Councillor Lavender moved and Councillor Giladi seconded the joint report of the Interim Director of Place Shaping & Enterprise and the Director of Education, Childrens Services and Leisure (No. 84) seeking approval for the Enfield Heritage Strategy following public consultation.
AGREED
1. That the Enfield Heritage Strategy be approved.
2. That the Interim Director for Place Shaping & Enterprise and the Director for Education, Childrens Services and Leisure be instructed to add the strategy to the suite of cultural strategies and include it within the statutory plan for the Borough, the Local Development Framework.
3. That the Interim Director for Place Shaping & Enterprise and the Director for Education, Childrens Services and Leisure take forward and action the prioritised Key Aims contained in the Strategy.
49 TOWN TWINNING – TWO NEW PARTNERSHIPS PROPOSED
Councillor Lavender moved and Councillor Hurer seconded the report of the Director of Education, Childrens Services and Leisure (No.85) proposing that the Council considers the establishment of two new town twinning partnerships with the municipalities of Halandri, a suburb of Athens and with Sariyer, a suburb of Istanbul.
Following a lengthy debate the recommendations set out in the report were put to the vote with the following result:
For: 28 Against: 0 Abstentions: 21
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COUNCIL - 17.9.2008
AGREED
1. That the Council establishes two new town twinning partnerships with the municipalities of Halandri in Athens, Greece and Sariyer in Istanbul, Turkey.
2. The Director of Education, Children’s Services and Leisure, and the Borough Solicitor draw up the necessary legal documents to form official partnerships between the Council and the Municipality of Halandri, in Athens, Greece and in turn with the Municipality of Sariyer, in Istanbul, Turkey.
3. That Officers make the necessary arrangements for an official public event for the signing of the Twinning Partnership agreements before the end of 2008.
4. That the Council agrees to and notes the budget implications set out in paragraph 7.1 of the report.
50 STANDARDS COMMITTEE - REVISED TERMS OF REFERENCE TO COMPLY WITH THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IN HEALTH ACT 2007
Mr G Mills moved and Councillor Hurer seconded the report of the Director of Finance and Corporate Resources (No.89) seeking Council approval to revised Terms of Reference for the Standards Committee.
During the debate, Councillor Rye moved and Councillor Lavender seconded that the contents of the report be approved, with the exception of Paragraph 4.7.1 that was to be deleted, with a further report on the local resolution of complaints to be presented to Council if required.
In response to a question on legality of the proposed amendment, the Monitoring Officer confirmed that the new role of the Standards Committee was a statutory one. However within that it was able to review its detailed processes if Council wished it to do so, subject to its statutory role not being compromised.
After a short debate the amendment was put to the vote with the following result:
For: 29 Against: 22 Abstentions: 2
The substantive recommendations were put to the vote with the following result:
For: 29 Against: 22
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Abstentions: 1
AGREED
1. The Standards Committee’s revised Terms of Reference as set out in appendix 1 of the report, which is in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.
2. that the contents of the report be approved, with the exception of Paragraph 4.7.1, which will be subject to review by the Standards Committee. A further report on this matter to be presented to Council if required.
51 LONDON LOCAL AUTHORITIES ACT 1990 – STREET TRADING POLICY
Councillor Neville moved and Councillor E Savva seconded the report of the Director of Environment and Street Scene (No.87) detailing a draft Street Trading Policy for the approval of Council.
NOTED that the draft Policy aimed to permit, in respect of suitable highways within the Borough, the use of the footway adjacent to restaurants, bars and cafés for tables and chairs. Also, the draft Policy provides for the occasional use of those footways for seasonal and farmers markets.
AGREED
1. not to authorise the use of patio-heaters on the footway, in respect of Section 11.5 of the draft Street Trading Policy.
2. To approve the Policy, as duly amended.
3. To commence the statutory procedure to designate those streets (listed in the appendix to the Draft Street Trading Policy) on which licensed street trading may be carried on for the provision of refreshment at tables and chairs and occasional use for seasonal and farmers markets.
52 STANDING ORDER 8 - DURATION OF COUNCIL MEETING
NOTED
1. that in accordance with Council Procedure, Rule 8 (page 4-7 – part 4), the Mayor advised the Council that the time available for the meeting had elapsed and the remaining items of business would be dealt with in accordance with the expedited procedure.
2. that the remaining items of business would be put to the vote without debate.
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53 SCRUTINY ANNUAL WORK PROGRAMME 2008/09
RECEIVED the report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (No.67A) setting out the annual work programme for the Council’s six Scrutiny Panels and Overview & Scrutiny Committee (OSC).
NOTED
1. That Cabinet considered the 2008/09 annual scrutiny work programme at its meeting on 10 September 2008. As a result they agreed to recommend the annual programme of work to Council for formal adoption .
AGREED to formally adopt the Annual Scrutiny Work Programme for 2008/09.
54 ENFIELD HOMES ARMS LENGTH MANAGEMENT ORGANISATION (ALMO) AGM – NOMINATION OF COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE
RECEIVED the report of the Interim Director of Placeshaping and Enterprise (No.88) asking the Council to nominate a designated representative to attend general meetings of Enfield Homes as the representative of the Council in its capacity as the sole member of Enfield Homes.
AGREED that the Assistant Director (Strategic Housing Services) is nominated as the Council’s representative for the purpose of representing the Council in its capacity as the sole member of Enfield Homes.
55 EMPTY PROPERTY COMPULSORY PURCHASE ORDERS (CPO II)
RECEIVED the report of the Director of Health and Adult Social Care (No.43A) seeking authorisation to make Compulsory Purchase Orders on five empty residential properties.
NOTED that the recommendations set out in the report were endorsed by the Cabinet on 16 July 2008.
AGREED
1. To make five separate Compulsory Purchase Orders in respect of the following properties under Section 17 of the Housing Act 1985 and the Acquisition of Land Act 1981: 26 Cavendish Road, N18 2LS, 24 Sutherland Road N9 7QD, 1 Brookside, N21 1JT, 28 Brettenham Road, N18 2EU, and 35 Cecil Road, EN2 6TJ as shown on the plans of the attached report.
2. To authorise the Director of Health and Adult Social Care and the Director of Finance and Corporate Resources to undertake all necessary steps to prepare the Orders, and all associated documentation and thereafter
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COUNCIL - 17.9.2008 take all necessary procedural steps (including the conduct of a Public Inquiry if necessary) to obtain confirmation of the Orders by the Secretary of State.
3. To authorise the Director of Health and Adult Social Care and the Director of Finance and Corporate Resources to take all necessary action following confirmation of the Orders to acquire the properties subject to the Orders, either compulsorily or by agreement, as to deal with all matters relating to the payment of compensation and statutory interest, including instituting or defending proceedings as necessary.
4. To additional capital funding of £250k to be made available for acquisition in excess of the £350k previously authorised.
5. To the disposal of the properties in accordance with the Property Procedure Rules.
56 PENSION FUND ANNUAL REPORT 2007/08
RECEIVED the report of the Pension Fund Board (No.90) setting out their work over the financial year 2007/08 and outlining the performance of the Fund throughout the year.
AGREED to endorse the report and to note the work of the Pension Fund Board over the year ended 31 March 2008.
57 COUNCILLORS’ QUESTION TIME
1. Urgent Questions (Part 4 - Paragraph 9.2. (b) of Constitution – Page 4- 9) None received.
2. Questions by Councillors
NOTED the twenty six questions, on the Council’s agenda, which received a written reply by the relevant Cabinet Member.
58 MEMBERSHIPS
AGREED to confirm the following changes to committee memberships:
1. Licensing Committee – Councillor Pearce to fill vacancy.
2. Adult Social Services Scrutiny Panel - Vacancy to replace Councillor E. Hayward.
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3. Overview & Scrutiny Committee, Children's Services Scrutiny Panel and Member Governor Forum - Mrs H Rosen to replace Rabbi Levy as the Jewish Statutory Co-Opted Member.
4. Hazelwood and St. Anne’s Playing Field – Management Board - To appoint Councillor Charalambous to the recently formed Management Board that will oversee the development and future management of this joint facility.
59 NOMINATIONS TO OUTSIDE BODIES
AGREED to confirm the following changes to the Council’s nominations to outside bodies:
1. Associated Joint Committee, London Councils Grants Committee - Councillor Rye to replace Councillors McCannah and Prescott as deputy.
2. London Councils Health and Adult Services Forum - Task & Finish Groups: a. The role of polyclinics in London – To appoint Councillor Hones. b. PCTs and the commissioning role in London – To appoint Councillors Pearce and Edward Smith. c. Tackling health inequalities in London – vacancy d. Making the personalisation agenda work for Londoners – To appoint Councillor Adams. e. Managing funding pressures in health and adult social care - To appoint Councillor Edward Smith.
3. Old Enfield Charitable Trust - To extend Mrs Thacker's representation till 20.05.12
60 CALLED IN DECISIONS
None.
61 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
NOTED that the next meeting of the Council was to be held on Wednesday 12 November 2008 at 7.00 p.m. at the Civic Centre.
- 12 - Page 13 Agenda Item 6 DECLARING INTERESTS FLOWCHART - QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF
What matters are being discussed at the meeting?
Do any relate to my interests whether You can participate already registered or not? NO in the meeting and vote YES Is a particular matter close to me?
Does it affect: me or my partner; NO my relatives or their partners; my friends or close associates; either me, my family or close associates: • job and business; • employers, firms you or they are a partner of and companies NO you or they are a Director of • or them to any position; • corporate bodies in which you or they have a shareholding of Personal interest more than £25,000 (nominal value); my entries in the register of interests
more than it would affect the majority of people in the ward affected by th e decision, or in the authority’s area or constituency?
Declare your personal interest in the matter. You can YES remain in meeting, speak and vote unless the interest is also prejudicial; or You may have a If your interest arises solely from your membership of, personal interest or position of control or management on any other public body or body to which you were nominated by the authority e.g. Governing Body, ALMO, you only need declare your personal interest if and when you speak on the matter, again providing it is not prejudicial.
Does the matter affect your financial interests or You may have a YES rela te to a licensing, planning or other regulatory prejudicial interest matter; and Would a member of the public (knowing the relevant facts) reasonably think that your personal interest was so significant that it would YES prejudice your judgement of public interest? Prejudicial interest
Do the public have speaking rights at the meeting?
YES NO You should declare the interest but can remain You should declare the interest and in the meeting to speak. Once you have withdraw from the meeting by leaving finished speaking (or the meeting decides you the room. You cannot speak or vote have finished - if earlier) you must withdraw from on the matter and must not seek to the meeting by leaving the room. improperly influence the decision.
Note: If in any doubt about a potential interest, members are asked to seek advice from DEC/JB/JK/1 Democratic Services in advance of the meeting.
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Council – 12 November 2008 Opposition Business Issues paper prepared by the Labour Group
The Council’s Finances
If a survey were conducted amongst the population of the Borough and the question posed was “Are you in favour of paying increasing amounts of Council Tax, so that the Council can hold large reserves?”, there would be an overwhelming vote against. The building up of large reserves may be satisfying to the Cabinet Member with responsibility for the Council’s finances, but the vast majority of the community would rather pay lower Council Tax or get better services and would be very annoyed if they were told that they had been paying higher taxes so that the Council could hold their money in its Bank account. But it is precisely this that has been happening in Enfield since the current Conservative Administration was elected in 2002.
In 2002 the Council Tax paid by the occupier of a “Band D” property in Enfield was £954.98. By the current year, that figure had increased to £1383.52, an increase of £428.54, or 44.9%. If the Enfield share of the Council tax is taken into account, in the same period the figure has increased from £781.10 to £1073.70, an increase of £292.60 or 37.46%. In the same period inflation, as measured by the Retail Price Index, had increased by 21.39%, so the Council Tax in Enfield has been increased by the Tories at a rate that is nearly twice as fast as inflation. If the Council Tax had only been increased at the rate of inflation, the amount payable this year in relation to the Enfield share would have been £948.18 (£125.50 less).
This above inflation increase in Council Tax may be acceptable if all the extra money that has been extracted from the wallets of local people was wanted for spending on extra services. But this has not been the case in Enfield. Instead what has happened is that there is a link between all this extra money, and the growth over the same period of the Council’s reserves. Excluding the Housing Revenue Account and Schools’ balances, the Council reserves (Earmarked and General) in 2002 were £22.204 million. By 2008 these had been increased to £69.106 million, which means that whereas in 2002 the Council was holding about £210 in its reserves for every Enfield Council taxpayer; by 2008 this figure had increased to over £660. The additional amount of Council Tax collected, by levying above inflation increases was about £63 million, and of this amount £47million (three quarters) has ended up in the Council’s reserves.
At no time have the local taxpayers been asked whether they are happy to see this transfer from their bank accounts to the Council’s bank account. Year after year since 2002 we have been told that there are limited funds and the money is not available to the Council to enable it to meet many of the priorities of the Community. The information above exposes what has really been going on, which is that unjustified tax increases have been imposed on the taxpayers of our Borough, so that the Tories can build up a war chest to finance their 2010 re-election campaign. Page 16
No one can doubt that the economy is now entering a difficult time and that many people in Enfield, along with many in the rest of the country, are going to be facing a difficult financial position in the next couple of years. It is proposed in this paper that the Council uses its financial position to assist the local community in these difficult times. It is wrong that when many people in the local community are in financial difficulties that the Council should be sitting on an amount of £660 for every Council Taxpayer and instead, what it should do, is plan to spend as much of that money as possible to boost the local economy and improve the quality of life of local people.
There are major areas of responsibility that this Council, under the current administration, has failed to meet. As has been shown above the reasons for this are nothing to do with the lack of resources, but a lack of political will. The priorities of this Council are well illustrated by the fact that they are willing to spend around £10 million on a restored Carnegie Library situated in the Ward represented by the leadership of the Council, while they are prepared to close a much loved and well used Library in a less advantaged (Labour represented) part of the Borough, and are prepared to stand by and watch much needed voluntary organisations fold for want of a few thousand pounds.
It is the proposition of this paper that the Council should now resolve to spend the money that it has in its reserves on meeting some of the unmet needs in the Borough and at the same time it should not levy any further increases in Council Tax for at least the rest of this administration. Set out below are 4 areas that we think particular attention should be given to in the next Budget and we propose that a cross party group of members be set up immediately to work with Officers to ensure that by the time of the Budget setting meeting in February 2009, a clear plan has been put together to use the balances to address the some of the unmet needs in the Borough.
The first area to mention is assistance to young people. In recent years, Enfield Council has had a very poor record in working with its young people. As a result of Opposition Priority Business earlier this year a Young Peoples Life Opportunities Scrutiny Commission was set up and it is important that the Council ensures that the funding is made available to respond to the information that is emerging from the work being carried out under the umbrella of the Commission. What is demanded by present and emerging circumstances and demographics is a serious, determined expansion and co-ordination of services for young people. and we need a new post within the Council, probably at AD level, and with a dedicated budget, to take specific charge of a vibrant youth agenda. This would include wider subsidy of existing good voluntary youth activities, far more youth service staff and an expanded capital and revenue input. To assist in the programme we must spend money on maintaining all our community halls at a high level of excellence and use and be seen to be investing in their expansion, modernization and constant use.
What young people have made abundantly clear is that they want a range of possible constructive leisure activities from sport to dance, from community engagement with green and other environmental issues to training and learning specific skills out of a school or college setting, and they also want safe, pleasant places to meet, talk, hang out and do nothing more than enjoy themselves. Page 17
The second specific area is housing. In March 2008, Enfield had 3196 households in temporary accommodation, which was the 4 th highest of all local authorities in England. This compares to 2678 households 5 years earlier. These figures do not include the families living in TFL properties on the North Circular Road. Enfield is failing to meet the Government’s temporary accommodation reduction target, and has a serious shortage of social rented housing. The money should be made available for Enfield to increase the number of temporary homes that are converted into permanent accommodation by working with private landlords and Registered Social Landlords. In addition the Council should make money available to ensure that it meets the Central Government target of not housing 16 and 17 year olds in B & B accommodation and by increasing the number of Supported Housing Units for young people.
The 3 rd Area is to start addressing more localised priorities by having ward based budgets to be controlled by local Ward Councillors in consultation with local community groups through a more localised Area Forum System. The basis of this should be to improve the quality of life of local residents. The amounts should be calculated to reflect the current physical condition of the area. Projects could include traffic crossings, park improvements, street furniture, specific targeted cleaning, and other such projects prioritised by the members. It is proposed that an annual budget be created for capital and revenue purposes and allocated on the needs basis per area reflecting existing physical deprivation. Such sums would be covered by the normal procurement rules of the Council.
The 4 th issue is to provide some assistance to local small businesses who are undoubtedly going to find increasing difficulties in the next few years. On 31 October, it was reported that the Local Government Association had put forward a 4 point plan for Local Authorities to assist small businesses. There are resource implications arising from this plan and we are proposing that Enfield Council make the appropriate resources available to ensure that the assistance proposed is available to Small Businesses in the Borough.
The motion that the Labour Group is therefore proposing is as follows:
“This Council notes that as at 31 March 2008, there was over £69million held in its earmarked and general reserves and that this amounts to approximately £660 for every Council Taxpayer in the Borough. The Council is aware of the financial difficulties that many of its residents and businesses are suffering at the moment and therefore to assist it resolves that:
1. It will not raise the level of the Enfield element of Council Tax for 2009/10 and 2010/11. 2. It will immediately set up a cross party Commission to ensure that money is found for the priorities in this paper and other priorities identified by the Commission. The Commission is to finalise its report by 1 February 2009. 3. In fixing its budget for 2009/10 Council will ensure that the money needed to take forward the priorities in the Commission report is made available. “ Page 18
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Council Constitution: Part 4 Chapter 4.1 – Council Procedure Rules
13. OPPOSITION BUSINESS (Updated: Council 23/1/08) 13.1 The Council will, at four meetings a year, give time on its agenda to issues raised by the Opposition Group. This will be at the 1st meeting (June), and then the 3rd, 4th and 6th meetings out of the 7 ordinary meetings programmed each year (unless otherwise agreed between the political parties). Forty-five minutes will be set aside at each of the four meetings. 13.2 All other Council meetings will also provide opportunities for the Opposition Group to raise issues either through Question Time, motions or through policy and other debates.
13.3 The procedure for the submission and processing of such business is as follows:
(a) The Opposition Group shall submit to the Borough Secretary a topic for discussion no later than 21 calendar days prior to the Council meeting. This is to enable the topic to be fed into the Council agenda planning process and included in the public notice placed in the local press, Council publications, plus other outlets such as the Council’s web site.
(b) The Borough Secretary will notify the Mayor, Leader of the Council, the Chief Executive and the relevant Corporate Management Board member(s) of the selected topic(s).
(c) Opposition business must relate to the business of the Council, or be in the interests of the local community generally.
(d) If requested, briefings on the specific topic(s) identified will be available to the Opposition Group from the relevant Corporate Management Board member(s) before the Council meeting.
(e) No later than 9 calendar days (deadline time 9.00 am) prior to the meeting, the Opposition Group must provide the Borough Secretary with an issues paper for inclusion within the Council agenda. This paper should set out the purpose of the business and any recommendations for consideration by Council. The order in which the business will be placed on the agenda will be in accordance with paragraph 2.2 of Part 4, Chapter 1 of this Constitution relating to the Order of Business at Council meetings.
(f) The discussion will be subject to the usual rules of debate for Council meetings, except as set out below. The Opposition
Part 4 1/1/07 Page 20
business will be conducted as follows:
(i) The debate will be opened by the Leader of the Opposition (or nominated representative) who may speak for no more than 10 minutes.
(ii) A nominated member of the Majority Group will be given the opportunity to respond, again taking no more than 10 minutes.
(iii) The Mayor will then open the discussion to the remainder of the Council. Each member may speak for no more than 5 minutes but, with the agreement of the Mayor, may do so more than once in the debate.
(iv) At the discretion of the Mayor the debate may take different forms including presentations by members, officers or speakers at the invitation of the Opposition Group.
(v) Where officers are required to make a presentation this shall be confined to background, factual or professional information. All such requests for officer involvement should be made thorough the Chief Executive or the relevant Director.
(vi) The debate should contain specific outcomes, recommendations or formal proposals that may be put to the vote.
(vii) The Majority Group will then be given the opportunity to say if, and how, the matter will be progressed.
Part 4 1/1/07 Page 21 Agenda Item 8
MUNICIPAL YEAR 2008/2009 REPORT NO. 134
MEETING TITLE AND DATE: Agenda – Part: 1 Item: 8 Council – 12 November 2008 Subject: REPORT OF: Director of Finance & Corporate Recommendations from Constitution Resources Review Group Contact officer and telephone number: John Austin - 020 8379 4094 Cabinet Member consulted: Councillor Rye E mail: [email protected]
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report sets out a number of issues and recommendations from the Constitution Review Group, namely:
(a) Planning Committee Code of Practice
(b) Call-In Procedure
(c) Council Meeting Procedures – Content/Length of Speeches and Speakers
(d) Standards Committee Independent Members – Council Meeting Procedures
2. RECOMMENDATIONS
2.1 The revised Planning Committee Code of Practice (Appendix A to the report referred) be approved;
2.2 To agree an amendment to the wording of the Call-in procedure in respect of Cabinet decisions (Part 4, 4-32/4-33, Scrutiny Rules of Procedure, Call- in of the Council’s Constitution referred), as detailed in paragraph 3.3 of the report;
2.3 To agree an amendment to the Council’s Constitution in respect of Council Meeting Procedures – Content/Length of Speeches and Speakers (Part 4, Council Procedure Rules, paragraph 12.5 of the Council’s Constitution referred), as detailed in paragraph 3.5 of the report;
2.4 To agree an amendment to the Council’s Constitution in respect of the Council Meeting Procedures for Independent Members (Part 4, Council Procedure Rules, paragraph 12.6 of the Council’s Constitution referred), as detailed in paragraphs 3.6 and 3.7 of the report.
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3. BACKGROUND
Introduction
3.1 The Constitution Review Group met on 28 October 2008. It considered the following issues:
(a) Planning Committee Code of Practice
(b) Call-In Procedure
(c) Council Meeting Procedures – Content/Length of Speeches and Speakers
(d) Standards Committee Independent Members – Council Meeting Procedures
Planning Committee Code of Practice
3.2 The Planning Committee Code of Practice is currently within the Council’s Constitution (Part 5, Chapter 5.2). The Councillors’ Code of Conduct had been revised and had been agreed by Council on 27 June 2007. The opportunity has been taken to revise the Planning Committee Code of Practice to reflect the new Councillors’ Code. The Code had been considered by the Planning Committee on 21 May 2008, the Standards Committee on 8 October 2008 and the Constitution Review Group on 28 October 2008. The amendments suggested by the above Groups have been incorporated within the revised Planning Committee Code of Practice and are shown in bold in Appendix A to this report. The revised Code is being presented to Council for approval and incorporation within the Council’s Constitution.
Call-in Procedure
3.3 There is a need to make a minor amendment to the Constitution (Part 4, 4-32/4-33, Scrutiny Rules of Procedure, Call-In) in regard to Cabinet decisions which are called-in for re-consideration. There is currently a requirement in the Constitution for Cabinet, if the decision maker, to consider a called-in decision within a further 14 working days, amending the decision or not, before adopting a final decision. Amending this wording to read “the next scheduled meeting if the timescale for the decision allows” rather than within 14 working days would provide a more realistic timeframe.
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Council Meeting Procedures – Content/Length of Speeches and Speakers
3.4 The Group noted that Part 4 of the Council’s Constitution, Chapter 4.1 Council Procedure Rules, Paragraph 12.5 currently read as follows: “Speeches must be directed to the question under discussion, to a personal explanation or point of order. No speech may exceed 5 minutes without the consent of the Mayor. As an exception, the mover of a motion (other than to receive or adopt reports of the Cabinet, a Committee/Sub-Committee or Panel or appropriate officer may speak for 10 minutes in proposing the motion or alternatively in exercising the right of reply. The Opposition had asked for clarification of this paragraph.
3.5 The Group considered whether the mover of a motion should be allowed a longer period of time to propose the motion and then to respond at the end. The Group recommended that the mover of the motion should be allowed 15 minutes in total with either the option of 10 minutes at the beginning and 5 minutes at the end or, 5 minutes at the beginning and 10 minutes at the end. There should however be no variations allowed between these two options. A maximum of 10 minutes should be allowed at any one period.
Standards Committee Independent Members – Council Meeting Procedures
3.6 The Group noted that Paragraph 12.6 of the Constitution (page 4-11) stated that a member who had spoken on a motion may not speak again whilst it was the subject of debate, except:
(a) to speak once on an amendment moved by another member; (b) to move a further amendment if the motion has been amended since he/she last spoke; (c) if his/her first speech was on an amendment moved by another member, to speak on the main issue (whether or not the amendment of which he/she spoke was carried); (d) in exercise of a right of reply; (e) on a point of order; and (f) by way of personal explanation
At the last Council meeting, the Chairman of the Standards Committee had presented that committee’s revised Terms of Reference. He then was unable to contribute to the debate later on. The Group was asked to consider whether in such circumstances independent members should be allowed to speak more than once in a debate.
3.7 The Group agreed to recommend to Council that in instances where an independent Member presents a report to Council, they will also have the right to contribute to the discussion. The Council’s Constitution to be amended to reflect this change.
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4. ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED
None. The changes are necessary to ensure that the Council’s Constitution is kept up-to-date.
5. REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
Reasons are included in the report. Also to seek approval to the consequent changes to the Council’s Constitution.
6. COMMENTS OF THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND CORPORATE RESOURCES AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS
6.1 Financial Implications
There are no financial implications arising directly from this report. Any associated costs will be contained within existing resources.
6.2 Legal Implications
The Constitution sets out how the Council operates within legal requirements.
It is necessary to review the documents periodically to reflect changes in circumstances or to introduce more effective working practices as evidenced in the recommendations.
7. PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS
The proposed amendments to the Constitution contribute to the objective of Aim 5 – supporting the delivery of excellent services.
8. PUTTING ENFIELD FIRST
Aim 5(e) Provide effective community leadership and promote active citizenship involvement in decision making
Aim 5(g) Ensure the Council maintains strong corporate governance in line with more demanding legislative requirements.
Background Papers
None.
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Appendix A
Chapter 5.2 - Planning Committee Code of Practice
Introduction
This Code sets out how the Council expects Councillors to conduct themselves in carrying out the business of the Planning Committee, particularly in handling of planning applications, etc. In the main it is a formalising of current practices and procedures. This Code is supplementary to the Members’ Code of Conduct (‘the Members’ Code’) adopted by Council on 27 June 2007.
The Code will be publicised from time to time and will be made available to anyone on request. It will be reviewed periodically , and may be updated at any time to maintain compliance with legislation and Government guidance. A copy of the Code is supplied to every Councillor serving on the Planning Committee.
(1) General Role and Conduct
Councillors and officers have different, but complementary, roles. Both serve the public, but Councillors are responsible to the electorate while officers are responsible to the Council as a whole. Officers advise Councillors and the Council and carry out the Council’s work. They are employed by the Council, not by individual Councillors and it follows that instructions may only be given to officers through a Council, Cabinet, Cabinet Member or Committee decision, in accordance with the Council’s scheme of delegation. They must always act impartially. Any other system, which develops, is open to question. A successful relationship between Councillors and officers can only be based upon mutual trust and understanding of each other’s positions.
The basis of the planning system is the consideration of private proposals against wider public interests. Members of the Planning Committee must take decisions on behalf of the community as a whole. Much is often at stake in the process and opposing views are often strongly held by those involved. Whilst members of the Planning Committee should take account of those views, they must not favour any person, company, group or locality, nor put themselves in a position where they appear to do so. Councillors who do not feel that they can act in this way should consider whether they are best suited to serving on a Planning Committee.
Members of the Planning Committee should be prudent about their social contacts with known developers and agents, and refrain altogether from such contacts when developments are contemplated or applications are being proposed or when controversial decisions are likely to be made.
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Members of the Planning Committee may be offered gifts or hospitality from people with an interest in a planning proposal. Such offers should be declined. If receipt of hospitality is unavoidable – for example, where to refuse light refreshments on an extended visit would cause offence – those receiving it should ensure that it is of the minimum level and should declare its receipt as soon as possible. All offers, whether accepted or not, should be recorded in the hospitality book by the Council’s Monitoring Officer.
(2) Membership of the Conservation Advisory Group and the Planning Committee
The Council agreed on the 12 th May 2004 that Councillors should not serve on both the Conservation Advisory Group and the Planning Committee.
(3) Membership of the Green Belt Forum and the Planning Committee
The Council agreed on the 7 th November 2007 that Councillors should not serve on both the Green Belt Forum and the Planning Committee.
(4) Declarations and Registration of Interests
The law and the Members’ Code set out requirements and guidance for Councillors on declaring personal and prejudicial interests and the consequences of having such interests. These must be followed scrupulously and Councillors should review their situation regularly. When doing so it must be borne in mind that the National Code advises that not only should impropriety be avoided but also any appearance, or grounds for suspicion, of improper conduct. The responsibility for this rests individually with each Councillor.
Councillors who have interests, or investments, which would prevent them from voting on a regular basis, should avoid serving on the Planning Committee.
The Council’s Monitoring Officer is happy to advise on the Code of Practice. It is for Members of the Planning Committee to interpret this advice using the guiding rule that one should not use one’s position to further a private or personal interest, rather than the general public interest or give grounds for such suspicion.
Such private interests could arise through family, friends, clubs, Freemasons, trade unions and voluntary bodies. If so, then not only must the interest be disclosed, but the Councillors should not take any further part in the debate or vote . The responsibility for declaring an interest lies with the individual member.
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If any Members of the Council have a personal and prejudicial interest, they may make oral representations, provided that the public are also allowed to attend the meeting for the same purpose. In order to make oral representations before the Planning Committee, members must first send a request in writing to the Planning Committee Secretary, Democratic Services Team, within the specified timeframe, ie by noon on the working day before the meeting, which must also outline the existence and nature of the interest, or must give notification as soon as the interest is known. Once representations have been made, Members must leave the room.
(5) Training
Members of the Planning Committee must exercise their representational role on behalf of their constituents. At the same time the planning process requires them to take decisions within a legal framework which is evolving continuously through legislation and case law.
To remain eligible to serve on the Planning Committee Councillors appointed to the Committee must have received formal training in planning procedures and planning law in the course of their first month of service unless they shall have received such training in the proceeding two years.
(6) Lobbying
(a) Being Lobbied When being lobbied Members of the Planning Committee should not express an opinion which may be taken as indicating that they have already made up their mind on the issue before they have been exposed to all the evidence and arguments. In such situations, they should restrict themselves so far as is practical to giving procedural advice, including suggesting to those who are lobbying that they should speak or write to the relevant officer so that their opinions can be included in the officer’s report to the Committee.
If they do express an opinion, they should make it clear that they will only be in a position to take a final decision after having heard all the relevant evidence and arguments at Committee.
(b) Organisation of Lobbying In general, members of the Planning Committee should avoid organising support for or opposition to a planning application and should not lobby other members. If a member of the planning committee feels it appropriate to campaign in support of, or in opposition to, a particular application, the proper course of action at the committee meeting would be to make statement of their views but not to take part in the subsequent Committee discussion or to vote.
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A member of the Planning Committee also has a duty to represent the view of the electorate. Therefore nothing in this Code inhibits a member’s right to put forward those views and support them if the member wishes, at the Planning Committee meeting. However, members should be mindful of possible predetermination or a perception of bias and therefore keep an open mind until they have heard all the facts. The member should declare on whose behalf such views are being represented.
(7) Committee Reports
Each application to be determined by the Planning Committee shall be the subject of a written report, which describes the nature of the proposal, and the substance of objections or other comments from those notified or consulted. There shall be a clear recommendation for the decision. Where the recommendation is contrary to development plan policy this must be recorded with a written summary of the material considerations which justify the recommendation. An officer who augments a written report with an oral report to the Committee shall make and retain a note of that oral report.
(8) Decisions Contrary to Recommendation
If it appears that the Committee may be minded to make a decision contrary to the officer’s recommendation the officer should be given the opportunity to explain the implications of the contrary decision before it is taken. The Committee should consider whether to defer the formal decision until it has a full draft of the decision before it.
If a decision is taken contrary to advice (whether for refusal or permission), a Minute of the Committee’s reasons shall be made and a copy placed on the application file. Similarly, a note of any additions, deletions or alterations to conditions decided by the Committee shall be made on the file.
(9) Site Visits
A site visit will be used only when a proposal is contentious or particularly complicated and when in the Committee’s view the expected benefit in assisting the Committee to determine the application is substantial. The nature of that expected benefit shall be minuted as the reason for the decision to make a site visit. Subject to that test, a request for a site visit, either from a committee member, ward councillor, or a member of the public visit shall normally be granted.
A site visit will normally take place immediately preceding the next Committee meeting following the decision to make the visit and should be arranged by the planning case officer. The applicant, the occupiers
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and the owners of private land to which access is desirable to consider the application shall be notified in writing and prior agreement shall be obtained if possible. The written notice shall make it clear that at the site visit only factual information or answers relating to the recorded matters which have caused the visit to be made may be given. No lobbying will be permitted.
Members must not talk individually with applicants, objectors or others in the course of a site visit. So far as practicable, information, question and answers should be given in the hearing of all members in attendance. The ward councillors will also be notified of and able to attend site visits.
A note shall be made of members attending site visits.
(10) Discussions with Applicants
Discussions between an applicant or potential applicant and the Council are encouraged but they should not become, or be perceived to become, part of the lobbying process. Such discussions should therefore take place within the following guidelines.
It must be made clear at the outset that the discussion will not bind the Council to a particular decision and that any views expressed are personal and provisional.
Advice should be considered and based upon the development plan and material considerations. Planning policies should be interpreted consistently.
Officers should make it clear whether they are the decision-maker or not. They should make a written note of any contentious points at the time and confirm this by letter. Normally, Councillors should direct any approach made to them for a meeting to officers. If practical when Councillors meet an applicant or potential applicant a professionally qualified officer should attend.
(11) Development Proposals by Councillors and the Council
Such proposals must be handled in a way, which gives no grounds for accusations of bias.
An officer must not act as an agent for anyone pursuing a planning matter with the Council. Any Councillor who so acts must take no part in the decision making process for the proposal.
Should any Committee member (or a relative) submit their own proposal for the Council’s approval they must inform the Council’s monitoring officer and take no part in processing the determination of it.
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In accordance with the scheme of delegation, such proposals will not be dealt with under powers delegated to an officer and must be identified as being those of a committee member in a written report to the Planning Committee.
Proposals for the Council’s own development must be treated in the same way as those of private developers, save that they must not be dealt with under powers delegated to the officer.
(12) Other Protocols
Some aspects of procedure are governed by other protocols already adopted by the Council. These include:
• a scheme of delegation whereby the Assistant Director of Environmental Services (Planning & Transportation) has authority to determine certain of applications in given circumstances. • a procedure allowing applicants and third parties to address the Planning Committee. • guidelines for publicity and neighbour notification concerning planning applications. • the Council’s complaints procedure.
Those protocols shall be followed within the spirit and intent of this Code of Practice.
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MUNICIPAL YEAR 2007/2008 REPORT NO. 135
Agenda – Part: 1 Item: 9 MEETING TITLE AND DATE: Subject: Council – 12 November 2008 Standards Committee – Local Assessment REPORT OF: and Investigations Director of Finance & Corporate Resources Cabinet Member consulted: Not applicable Contact officer and telephone number: John Austin – 020 8379 4094 E mail: [email protected]
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report follows the discussion at the last Council meeting on 17 th September
2008 (minute no. 50) in relation to the new role of the Standards Committee and
in particular the option within the assessment process of referral for ‘other
action’, for example, conciliation or training.
The report also highlights what is perceived by the Assessment Sub-Committee
to be unsatisfactory drafting of the legislation in relation to ‘other action’ and the
consequences of this proving unsuccessful.
2. RECOMMENDATIONS
2.1 Council is asked to note the statutory position with regard to ‘other action’ which must be retained within the terms of reference of the Assessment Sub-Committee.
2.2 Council is asked to support the representations being made to the Standards Board in relation to the unsatisfactory drafting of the regulations concerning ‘other action’ (paragraph 3.3 refers)
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3. BACKGROUND
3.1 The Council meeting on 17 th September 2008 received a report from the Director of Finance and Corporate Resources (No. 89) seeking approval to the revised terms of reference for the Standards Committee, given its new statutory role in dealing with complaints against members in relation to their Code of Conduct. The Council agreed the new terms of reference but wished to delete paragraph 4.7.1 in relation to the local resolution of complaints (referred to as ‘other action’, which can include conciliation or training).
3.2 At the meeting, the Monitoring Officer advised that the new role for the Standards Committee was a statutory one. However within that, it was able to review its detailed processes if Council wished it to do so, subject to its statutory role not being compromised. Since then research has taken place, and discussions held at the Assessment Sub-Committee. Both confirmed the view that the option of ‘other action’ is a statutory requirement within the regulations and therefore cannot be removed from the terms of reference of the Assessment Sub-Committee. It is however at the discretion of that Sub-Committee whether to take up that option.
3.3 If an Assessment Sub-Committee decides to pursue ‘other action’, and that proves unsuccessful, the regulations prohibit the sub-committee from then referring the matter for investigation. Members of the Assessment Sub-Committee feel that this is unsatisfactory. It has asked the Monitoring Officer to write to the Standards Board to request Government to consider this apparent anomaly.
4. ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED
None, as the option of ‘other action’ is contained within regulations and must remain within the terms of reference of the Assessment Sub-Committee.
5. REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
To respond to the discussion at the last Council meeting.
6. COMMENTS OF THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND CORPORATE RESOURCES AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS
6.1 Financial Implications
None
6.2 Legal Implications
Section 57A(2), Local Government Act 2000 (LGA 2000) provides that a standards committee which receives an allegation must refer it to the
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appropriate MO, or to the Standards Board, or decide to take no action. Section 66, LGA 2000, to which section 57A(2)(a) refers, empowers the Secretary of State to make regulations as to how references to an MO are to be dealt with. The Standards Committee (England) Regulations 2008 (SI 2008/1085) (the “2008 Regulations”) are the relevant provisions.
7. PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS
The new procedures contribute to the objective of Aim 5 – supporting the delivery of excellent services.
8. COMMUNITY IMPLICATIONS
The independent members of the Standards Committee have no political allegiances (two of them serve as chairman and vice-chairman). They are representatives of the community and their role is to promote and monitor high ethical standards of councillors.
9. PUTTING ENFIELD FIRST
The new procedures contribute to the objective of Aim 5 – supporting the delivery of excellent services.
Background Papers
None
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London Borough of Enfield
Standards Committee
Annual Report 2007/08
1 Page 36
1. Introduction
This is the fifth Annual Report of the London Borough of Enfield’s Standards Committee. It sets out the key issues we have dealt with during the past year and looks ahead to our priorities for 2008/09.
2. The Committee
The Standards Committee for 2007/08 comprised 6 members as follows:
Two Independent Members
Geoffrey Mills Chairman Lawrence Greenberg Vice-Chairman
Four Councillors
Councillors: Annette Dreblow, Vivien Giladi, Edward Smith and Doug Taylor.
The Committee’s lead officers were John Austin (Assistant Director of Governance) and Philip Copland (Borough Solicitor) with Jayne Bott as Standards Committee Secretary.
3. Terms of Reference
The role and purpose of the Committee during 2007/08 was as follows:-
(a) To promote and maintain high standards of conduct by Councillors, Co-opted Members and Church and Parent Governor representatives. (b) To assist Councillors, Co-opted Members and Church and Parent Governor representatives to observe the Members Code of Conduct and all other Codes within the Constitution plus any others adopted in the future. (c) To advise the Council on the adoption or revision of the Members Code of Conduct and all other Codes within the Constitution and any others adopted in the future. (d) To monitor the operation of the Members Code of Conduct. (e) To advise, train or arrange to train Councillors, Co-opted members and Church and Parent Governor representatives on matters relating to the Members Code of Conduct. (f) To grant dispensations to Councillors, Co-opted Members and Church and Parent Governor representatives from requirements relating to interests set out in the Members Code of Conduct. (g) To deal with any Standards Board for England reports from a case tribunal or interim case tribunal and any report from the Monitoring Officer on any matter which is referred to him or her.
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(h) To discharge such other functions either general or specific as the Council may from time to time allocate to the Committee. (i) To receive monitoring reports relating to members from the statutory officers under the Council’s whistleblowing policy. (Note: The Council’s whistleblowing policy is within the remit of the Audit Committee. (j) To prepare an Annual Report for submission to Council. The Annual Report will contain information on the work done by the Committee over the past year and outline work to be done in the year to come. (k) To consider and make recommendations to the Council, as necessary, on ethical issues affecting the whole Council. (l) To respond to national reviews and consultations on standards related issues. (m) To receive reports and keep a general overview of probity matters arising from Ombudsman investigations, Monitoring Officer reports, reports of the Chief Financial Officer and Audit Commission relating to Members. (n) To consider matters related to the registration and declaration of members’ interests and related party transactions. (o) To monitor complaints referred under the Members Code of Conduct and to prepare an annual report on this activity each year. (p) To consider whether a member's allowances should be suspended (wholly or partly) if a member is suspended pursuant to Part III Local Government Act 2000.
4. The Committee’s Work Programme - 2007/08
We agree a work programme each year within our terms of reference. This is reviewed and monitored at each meeting. Items can be added if the committee feels it appropriate.
During the year the committee met twice and dealt with the following main issues:
(a) Licensing & Gambling Code of Practice
In the previous Municipal Year, we had asked for a Licensing and Gambling Code of Practice to be drawn up for inclusion in the Council’s Constitution.
The Licensing Committee considered and agreed the draft Code of Practice on 14 November 2007, subject to Standards Committee and Council’s approval.
We considered and approved the draft Code of Practice at our meeting held on 11 December 2007.
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The new Licensing and Gambling Code of Practice was approved by Council on 23 January 2008 and is now included in the Council’s Constitution.
(b) Standards Board Training DVD on the Code of Conduct
At our meeting on 11 December 2007, we considered a DVD produced by the Standards Board for England focussing particularly on the new rules relating to declarations of interest. The members of the committee were very impressed with the DVD and recommended it for all councillors.
Arrangements are being made to show the DVD at party group meetings.
(c) Increasing the Membership of the Standards Committee
Also at our meeting on 11 December 2007, we were advised that following the passing of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, local Standards Committees would, from April 2008, be responsible for receiving, investigating and determining allegations of member misconduct and breaches of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct. The Standards Board for England (SBE) previously undertook this role. The SBE would assume a more strategic role, supporting and advising local committees in their new functions.
Detailed guidance was awaited as to how the new arrangements would operate, but it was clear that we would need to set up a number of sub-committees (of approximately 3 members each) to ensure a separation of roles in relation to the individual stages of the new process and to avoid conflicts of interest amongst its membership.
We recommended to Council that the membership of the Committee should be increased from 6 to 9 (one Independent member and two Councillors) to ensure that there was a sufficient pool of members to serve on the sub-committees, in case of absence or conflict of interest. Council agreed this proposal on 23 January 2008.
(d) Recruitment of Third Independent Member
On 23 January 2008, the Council received a report (No. 203) advising members of a new role for the Authority’s Standards Committee and the Standards Board for England, plus a new procedure for the local assessment and determination of complaints of misconduct against councillors (Minute 96 refers).
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As well as agreeing the increase in the membership of the committee (see paragraph (c) above, Council also agreed the process for recruiting the third Independent Member
It was agreed that the elected members on the Standards Committee should constitute the Appointments Panel.
The Appointment Panel conducted the interviews on 20 May 2008 and the position was offered to one of the candidates. However, the appointment did not subsequently proceed.
The recruitment of the third Independent Member will be progressed in 2008/09.
(e) Government Consultation Paper – The Conduct of Local Authority Members
At out meeting on 28 January 2008, we received a consultation paper from the Department for Communities and Local Government relating to the conduct of members in local authorities.
The consultation paper covered the following issues: • New Standards Committee powers to make initial assessments of misconduct allegations, compositions of committees and access to information • The Standards Board new monitoring function and the circumstances where it may suspend a Standards Committee’s function of undertaking the initial assessment of misconduct allegations and for other committees or the Standards Board or joint committees to undertake this role • Adjudications by case tribunals of the Adjudication Panel • Issuing dispensations to allow councillors to participate in meetings so as to preserve political balance • The granting and supervision of exemptions of certain local authority posts from political restrictions • Maximum pay for political assistants • Implementation date of new conduct regime.
We considered the consultation paper and based on the comments made at the meeting, the Assistant Director of Governance submitted a formal response on behalf of the Council by the required deadline of 15 February 2008.
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(f) Compliance with Councillors Code of Conduct
Also at our meeting on 28 January 2008, we received a report detailing the procedures and arrangements for compliance by all serving members of the London Borough of Enfield when undertaking to observe the new code of conduct.
We were informed of the action being taken in respect of two statutory co-optees who had not signed the code.
(g) Reference From Audit Committee on the Review of the Corporate Strategy for the Prevention and Detection of Fraud and Corruption and Whistle Blowing Policy
At the Audit Committee meeting of 22 November 2007, it was agreed to approve the proposed changes to the Whistleblowing Policy and to refer the proposed changes to the Standards Committee before adoption by Council.
At out meeting on 28 January 2008, we noted the revised Corporate Strategy for the Prevention and Detection of Fraud and Corruption and endorsed the proposed changes to the Whistle Blowing Policy set out in Report.
Following our meeting the proposed changes to the Whistle Blowing Policy were approved by Council on 26 March 2008.
(h) Annual Governance Statement
The Vice Chairman and I were consulted over the content of the Annual Governance Statement.
(i) Standards Committee Profile
As part of an approach towards raising the profile of the Committee, a review had been undertaken on the content of the Standards Committee webpage on the Council’s website. As a result of the review a number of improvements to the webpage were agreed: (i) the revised content of the Standards Committee webpage; and (ii) a new Ethical Governance webpage
We noted that the webpage would be reviewed on a regular basis.
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In addition, the Vice-Chairman and I met the press to raise the profile of the Standards Committee. Following the meeting, an article on the role of the Standards Committee was published in the Enfield Independent on 2 January 2008.
(j) Standards Board for England - Annual Review 2006/07
We received and noted the Standards Board for England - Annual Review 2006/07.
(k) Standards Board Road Show Feedback
Members noted feedback on the Standards Board Road Show held on 28 June 2007 in London.
(l) Future Work Programme 2008/09
We will agree our work programme for 2008/09, in the New Municipal Year. This will no doubt develop further as the year progresses. The outline work programme will include:
• Training on the Assessment of Allegations of Misconduct by a Member • The Local Assessment of Allegations of Misconduct by a Member – Establishing The New Process Report • Local Assessment, Investigation and Hearing Procedures • The Planning Committee Code of Practice • Recruitment of Third Independent Member • Standards Committee Annual Report 2007/08 • Annual Governance Statement 2007/08 • Draft Annual Governance Statement 2008/09 • Training & Development For All Councillors & Officers – New Code Of Conduct & Related Matters • Raising The Profile Of Ethical Standards In Enfield • Standards Committee Webpage • Feedback from Standards Board Annual Conference - October 2008 • Draft Annual Report 2008/09
5. Conclusion
I am grateful to both members and officers for their help and support and constructive discussions during 2007/08.
We will need to ensure that we are prepared for our new role and responsibilities arising from the local assessment, investigation and determination of complaints against councillors.
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We have had no cases to investigate or hear from the Standards Board in this Municipal Year.
Geoffrey Mills Chairman of Enfield’s Standards Committee 2007/2008
8 Page 43 Agenda Item 11
MUNICIPAL YEAR 2008/2009 REPORT NO. 137
Agenda -Part: 1 Item: 11 MEETING TITLE AND DATE: COUNCIL Subject: 12 November 2008 New Conservation Areas – proposed Article 4 Directions. REPORT OF: Interim Director of Place Shaping & Wards: Grange, Southgate Green, Lower Enterprise Edmonton.
Cabinet Members consulted: Cabinet Members for Environment and Street Scene and Place Shaping and Enterprise Contact officer and telephone number: Mike Brown (ext. 3865) E mail: [email protected]
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1.1 Cabinet is to consider the designation of four new conservation areas – Grange Park, Meadway, Southgate Circus and The Crescent. Three of these, Grange Park, Meadway and The Crescent, are residential areas where householders have permitted development rights allowing them to carry out a range of development works to houses without planning permission. The Crescent is a listed building but householders there still have rights to insert hard standings within the gardens.
1.2 Such development works can have a harmful effect on the character or appearance of the area leading to the erosion of their special interest. The Council has already removed these rights from most of our existing conservation areas.
1.3 This report recommends that these permitted development rights be withdrawn within these new conservation areas. This is achieved by serving Article 4 Directions on identified properties and specifying what works need to be the subject of a planning application (Appendix A). The majority of these permitted development rights can be withdrawn by the Council under its powers to make an Article 4 (2) Direction. One particular permitted development right, the installation of solar panels on front roof slopes, will need to be approved by the Secretary of State under an Article 4 (1) Direction.
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1.4 Once the Directions are served they come into immediate force, but require re-affirmation within 6 months. The report therefore further recommends Planning Committee be given the power to, and then, as appropriate in the light of any representations received, authorises the subsequent confirmation that the Directions be made permanent.
2. RECOMMENDATIONS
2.1 That Council approves that the dwelling houses listed within Appendix A of this report be subject to an Article 4(2) Direction under The Town & Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (No. 2) (England) Order 2008, in respect of those Parts/Classes of the Order scheduled against each Conservation Area in Appendix A, removing permitted development rights.
2.2 That the Interim Director of Place Shaping and Enterprise undertakes the necessary steps to serve an Article 4 Direction on the properties within the Conservation Areas referred to in Appendix A.
2.3 That any representations arising from the serving/publication of the Article 4 Direction, be reported to the Planning Committee, for consideration and a final formal decision as to whether the Direction should be made permanent with regard to any of the affected properties.
2.4 That Council delegates the authority to Planning Committee to carry out 2.3 above, in relation to this proposed Direction.
2.5 That the Conservation Advisory Group is advised when the Direction is made.
2.6 That the Interim Director of Place Shaping and Enterprise be further instructed to apply to the Secretary of State for approval of an Article 4 (1) Direction removing the permitted development right to install solar PV or solar thermal equipment on the principal or side roof slopes of householders allowed under Part 40 of Class A of Schedule 2 of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (England) Order 2008 as amended by The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (No. 2) (England) Order 2008 for all properties shown on the Schedule in Appendix A to this report.
2.7 Should the Secretary of State approve the Article 4 (1) Direction, the Interim Director of Place Shaping and Enterprise be instructed to carry out Recommendations 2.2 – 2.5 above in this regard.
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3. BACKGROUND
3.1 Context 3.1.1 As part of the Council’s Conservation Areas Review - Phase I, Character Appraisals and Management Proposals have been approved for each of the existing 16 conservation areas in the Borough. One of the Management Proposals for those conservation areas with a predominantly residential character was the making of an Article 4 (2) Direction removing permitted development rights from householders in order to bring minor development works within the planning system. This was approved by full Council in 2006 and has proven a popular measure with the public and an effective tool in helping the Council to ‘preserve or enhance’ the character or appearance of those conservation areas.
3.1.2 The Council has now brought forward Phase II of the Conservation Area Review that has identified four new conservation areas together with Character Appraisals and Management Proposals for each. These were approved by Cabinet on the 5 November 2008 in accordance with sections 69 and 71 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. As before with Phase I, one of the Management Proposals for those new conservation areas with a predominantly residential character (being Grange Park, Meadway and The Crescent) is the making of Article 4 Directions to remove permitted development rights from householders in order to bring minor development works within the planning system.
3.1.3 Therefore this Report to Council considers a “daughter” document to the above Management Proposals document. It actions the recommendation in the parent document to serve the Article 4 Directions to withdraw certain specific permitted development rights.
3.1.4 The Character Appraisals, Management Proposals and, if approved, the Article 4 Report will form a family of documents that will allow the effective management of the Borough’s new conservation areas, consistent with the earlier 16 conservation areas to ensure their special character and appearance is preserved and enhanced.
3.2 Article 4(2) Direction 3.2.1 Householders in single-family dwellings have certain ‘permitted development’ (‘PD’) rights under planning legislation (The Town & Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 as amended by the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (No. 2) (England) Order 2008) enabling them to undertake certain works to their properties without the need to formally seek planning permission. Many PD rights are also exercisable within conservation areas. Flats, maisonettes or other properties (commercial) do not enjoy these PD rights. Consequently, the report has no impact on the Southgate Circus Conservation Area,
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which is made of commercial properties and flats where no PD rights exist.
3.2.2 The implementation of development works, (for example installation of PVCu windows and doors, roofing works and the removal of front gardens and boundary walls to make off-road parking spaces) carried out as PD, can be very detrimental to the appearance and character of conservation areas. The consultant carrying out the Character Appraisals of each of the Borough’s conservation areas has identified such problems within three of the four new conservation areas. These have been identified within the Management Proposals documents for those areas together with a proposal that these Article 4 Directions be made to remove these PD rights. This affects households in the Grange Park and Meadway Conservation Areas.
3.2.3 For The Crescent Conservation Area the position is more complex. The Crescent is already a listed building and there are, therefore, appropriate controls under the consent regime to protect the building. Nevertheless, the loss of front gardens (through the insertion of hard standings) that are important to the setting of the listed building are not presently controlled. A further complication is that a number of properties have already been converted to flats and have no PD rights. It is proposed in this report to:- 1/ remove the PD rights from householders to insert hard standings through an Article 4 (2) Direction and 2/ to deliver to flat dwellers a ‘Planning Advice Leaflet’ reminding them that all works to the building, grounds and boundaries require planning permission and/or listed building consent.
3.2.4 The schedules in Appendix A detail the affected addresses within each of the above areas and the specific categories of PD rights that are proposed for removal.
3.2.5 The Council, as Local Planning Authority, is able to exercise the power to make an Article 4(2) Direction to remove most PD rights within conservation areas.
3.2.6 Once a Direction is formally served it takes immediate effect – thus requiring that the specific scheduled works can only be carried out with express planning permission. Any owner is able to make representations to the Council on the serving of the Direction on their property. Any such objection must then be considered, and if the Council is minded to confirm the Direction then this must be exercised not less than 28 days or more than 6 months of the Direction first being served. A final confirmed Direction is then served.
3.3 Article 4 (1) Direction 3.3.1 One category of harmful works – the permitted development right to install solar PV or solar thermal panels – is a recent introduction to the
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General Permitted Development Order. Part 40 of Class A of Schedule 2 of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (England) Order 2008 introduced in April 2008 allowed householders to install such equipment. An exception was their installation on principal or side elevation walls and roof slopes on dwellinghouses within conservation areas, where they were not permitted. 3.3.2 However, The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (No. 2) (England) Order 2008 introduced in October 2008 removed the restriction on the installation of such equipment on roof slopes in conservation areas. Given the importance of the roof slopes to the character and appearance of the Grange Park and Meadway Conservation Areas it is considered that the uncontrolled installation of solar PV and solar thermal panels within these areas will cause considerable harm to their special interest. It is recommended, therefore, that this permitted development right is removed. 3.3.3 However, upon advice from the Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG), who are responsible for the Order, a drafting oversight in the Amendment Orders has not enabled this permitted development right to be withdrawn under an Article 4 (2) Direction. The advice from CLG is that it can only be withdrawn under an Article 4 (1) Direction, which must be approved by the Secretary of State. The above Recommendations 2.6 and 2.7 instruct officers to pursue that course. Should the Article 4 (1) Direction be approved the mechanism for serving and confirming the direction is the same as for Article 4 (2) Directions. 3.3.4 The Council is mindful of its responsibility to play the fullest part in reducing energy waste and combating climate change and officers will help applicants for planning permission for such equipment to seek acceptable solutions that achieve those aims while not harming the special architectural or historic interest of the relevant conservation area. Often this can be achieved by the simple relocation of the proposed equipment on rear slopes, not visible from the highway.
3.4 General 3.4.1 An Article 4 Direction is registered against a property as a Local Land Charge and is declared on any subsequent searches.
3.4.2 Requiring planning applications for hitherto permitted works across these designated (conservation) areas will generate some additional applications to the Development Control Service. The additional applications are exempt from any planning application fees, and will involve some more casework for the Development Control Service. As these are relatively minor proposals, such applications are usually determined under delegated powers. The additional caseload will be carefully monitored.
3.4.3 Compensation could be sought from the LPA in those circumstances where a householder could demonstrate loss of value to their property if this is wholly attributable to the making of an Article 4 Direction. This
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would have to be in a case where planning permission was refused, or granted with conditions, solely because of the Direction. The likelihood of this is quite remote, and needs to be considered in the context of the actual PD rights being withdrawn. For example the loss of rights to replace roof material of your choice (as opposed to, say, slate) or refusal to insert plastic windows, are unlikely to substantiate a material lost value to the property that could support a compensation claim.
4. REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION
There is no alternative way to secure control of otherwise ‘Permitted Development’ and safeguard the character of the Borough’s Conservation Areas.
5. ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED
It is evident from the Conservation Area Character Appraisals that the character of these areas is under threat from unsympathetic minor developments. The only way to address this is to remove PD rights and secure a higher standard of work, or even to refuse wholly inappropriate proposals, by requiring planning permission for the works.
6. DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & CORPORATE RESOURCES COMMENTS
6.1 Finance Implications There is a cost, albeit limited, for the actual legal processing/serving/ advertising of the Directions. The additional costs arising from the process are not significant and these will need to be met from within existing Planning budgets.
6.2 Legal Implications The making of the proposed directions is a non executive function, so must be referred to full Council. The directions must be advertised and served on affected properties as soon as it is made. It becomes effective upon service but must be ratified within 6 months, at which time any representations received must be formally considered prior to confirmation. It is proposed that the Directions are ratified by Planning Committee, in which case a delegation of authority is necessary as this is currently outside the general terms of reference of Planning Committee. The withdrawal of permitted development (PD) rights may give rise to a claim for compensation if an application is refused or granted subject to conditions other than mentioned in the Order. Compensation may be claimed for abortive expenditure and loss or damage directly attributable to the loss of PD rights.
6.3 Property Implications The Council does not own any household properties within the three areas and will not be affected by the Article 4 Directions.
6.4 Risk Management Implications
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Failure to approve the Article 4 Directions will allow uncontrolled development works to be carried out to household properties within the conservation areas. Such works have been demonstrated to be a major cause of the incremental erosion of the special architectural and historic interest of the areas. The purpose of designation of conservation areas is to preserve or enhance their character and appearance and thereby protect that special interest. The Article 4 Directions will strengthen the Council’s ability to discharge this statutory duty.
7. PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS
7.1 The introduction of Article 4 Directions within Enfield’s conservation areas is part of a wider package of management proposals being brought forward for these areas and it thus achieves compliance with current Government advice and local performance indicators for such areas.
7.2 The four new conservation areas and Article 4 Directions will add to the work load of the Conservation Team, Development Control and Enviro-crime through the generation of further planning applications of greater complexity and detail requiring more public consultation procedures and the need for more rigorous planning enforcement within these areas. Planning applications under an Article 4 direction do not attract a fee. No new resources for an increase in staff are available at this time, and the extra demand can only be met by rigorous re- prioritisation of service areas.
8. COMMUNITY IMPLICATIONS Enfield’s heritage is of growing importance to local people and its effective protection and beneficial utilisation is a key foundation upon which healthy, engaged and sustainable communities must be built. Once approved, the Article 4 Directions will improve the Council’s effectiveness in this important field and thereby support the Place shaping agenda, sustainable communities and social adhesion within Enfield’s diverse citizens and groups.
9. PUTTING ENFIELD FIRST Aim 1 of Putting Enfield First – the Council Business & Improvement Plan 2008/2011 is ‘A cleaner, greener sustainable Enfield’. The Article 4 Directions will form a key plank for the delivery of sustainable development within the Borough and an important element of successful place shaping. It will be a major driver to fulfilling Aim 1(e) “Protect and enhance the character and quality of Enfield’s buildings and improve access to parks and green spaces.
Background Papers:
The Cabinet Report of the 5 November 2008 that approved the new designations and the Management Proposals for the affected conservation areas from which this report and recommended Article 4 Directions flow.
The Character Appraisals and Management Proposals for the new conservation areas held by Mike Brown, Team Leader for Conservation X3865.
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APPENDIX A The Article 4 Direction including schedules Page 51
TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING (GENERAL PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT) ORDER 1995 AS AMENDED
DIRECTION MADE UNDER ARTICLE 4(2)
WHEREAS the Council of the London Borough of Enfield, being the appropriate local planning authority within the meaning of Article 4(6) of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 as amended, is satisfied that it is expedient that development of the descriptions set out in the Schedule below should not be carried out on land in part of the Grange Park Conservation Area, Meadway Conservation Area, and The Crescent Conservation Area, being the land shown [edged green] on the attached plans, unless permission is granted on an application made under Part III of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
NOW THEREFORE the said Council, in pursuance of the power conferred on it by Article 4(2) of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 as amended, hereby direct that the permission granted by Article 3 of the said Order shall not apply to development on the said land of the descriptions set out in the Schedule below.
1. Grange Park Conservation Area Town & Country Planning (General Permitted Addresses Affected Development) Order 1995 – as amended: Schedule 2, Part & Classes of Permitted Development being withdrawn 1 – 35 odd, 37- 63 odd, 65, 65a, 67, Part 1 Development within the Curtilage of a 67a, 69, 69a, 71, 73, 73a, 75, 75a, Dwelling House 77 – 97 odd, 97a, 99 - 127odd, 2 – Class A: 26 even, 28 – 42 even, 42a, 42b, The enlargement, improvement or other alteration of 44, 44a, 46, 46a, 48, 48a, 50 – 98 a dwellinghouse where any part of the enlargement even The Chine, London N21; improvement or other alteration would front a 1 – 15 odd, 2 – 14 even, 28, 28a, highway, open space or waterway. The Grangeway, London N21; Class C 5, 7, Vera Avenue, London, N21; Any other alteration to the roof of a dwellinghouse 1, 3, 5a, 5b, 5c, 7, 9 – 31 odd, 33, where the alteration would be to a roof slope which 33a, 35 – 87 odd, 89a, 89b, 91, 93 fronts a highway, open space or waterway – 97 odd, 2 – 8 even, 10 – 22 even, Class D: 24 – 30 even, 32 – 120 even Old The erection or construction of a porch outside any Park Ridings, London, N21. external door of a dwellinghouse where the external door fronts a highway, waterway or open space Class E The provision within the curtilage of the dwellinghouse of (a) any building or enclosure, swimming or other pool required for a purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the dwelling house as such, or the maintenance improvement or other alteration of such a building or enclosure (b) a container used for domestic heating purposes for the storage of oil or liquid petroleum gas and where it would front a highway, open space or waterway
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Class F: Development consisting of (a) the provision within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse of a hard surface for any purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the dwelling house as such (b) the replacement in whole or in part of such a surface where it would front a highway, open space or waterway Class G The installation alteration or replacement of a chimney flue or soil and vent pipe on a dwellinghouse Class H: The installation, alteration or replacement of a microwave antenna on a dwellinghouse or within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse where it would front a highway, open space or waterway.
Part 2 Minor Operations Class A: The erection, construction, maintenance, improvement or alteration of a gate, fence, wall or other means of enclosure where it would front a highway, open space or waterway. Class C: The painting of the exterior of any building or work that would front a highway, open space or waterway
Part 31 Class B The demolition of the whole or any part of any gate, fence, wall or other means of enclosure fronting a highway, open space or waterway.
2. Meadway Conservation Area Town & Country Planning (General Permitted Addresses Affected Development) Order 1995 – as amended: Schedule 2, Part & Classes of Permitted Development being withdrawn 1 – 11 odd, 15 – 21 odd, 23 – 39 Part 1 Development within the Curtilage of a odd, 2 – 44 even Bourne Avenue, Dwelling House London N14; Class A: 1 – 11 odd, 15 – 25 odd, 6 – 34 The enlargement, improvement or other alteration of even Greenway, London N14; a dwellinghouse where any part of the enlargement 1 – 11 odd, 15 – 27 odd, 29 – 73 improvement or other alteration would front a odd, 2 – 16 even, 18 – 38 even, 48 highway, open space or waterway. – 70 even Meadway, London N14; Class C 1 – 11 odd, 15 – 27 odd, 6 – 22 Any other alteration to the roof of a dwellinghouse even Parkway, London, N14; where the alteration would be to a roof slope which 2, 2a, 4, 16 and 18 The Bourne, fronts a highway, open space or waterway London, N14; Class D: 3 – 11 odd, 15 – 25 odd, 27 – 39 The erection or construction of a porch outside any
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odd, 6 – 22 even, 24, 26 The external door of a dwellinghouse where the external Ridgeway, London N 14. door fronts a highway, waterway or open space Class E The provision within the curtilage of the dwellinghouse of (c) any building or enclosure, swimming or other pool required for a purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the dwelling house as such, or the maintenance improvement or other alteration of such a building or enclosure (d) a container used for domestic heating purposes for the storage of oil or liquid petroleum gas and where it would front a highway, open space or waterway Class F: Development consisting of (c) the provision within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse of a hard surface for any purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the dwelling house as such (d) the replacement in whole or in part of such a surface where it would front a highway, open space or waterway Class G The installation alteration or replacement of a chimney flue or soil and vent pipe on a dwellinghouse Class H: The installation, alteration or replacement of a microwave antenna on a dwellinghouse or within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse where it would front a highway, open space or waterway.
Part 2 Minor Operations Class A: The erection, construction, maintenance, improvement or alteration of a gate, fence, wall or other means of enclosure where it would front a highway, open space or waterway. Class C: The painting of the exterior of any building or work that would front a highway, open space or waterway
Part 31 Class B The demolition of the whole or any part of any gate, fence, wall or other means of enclosure fronting a highway, open space or waterway.
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3. The Crescent Conservation Area Town & Country Planning (General Permitted Addresses Affected Development) Order 1995 – as amended: Schedule 2, Part & Classes of Permitted Development being withdrawn Properties within The Crescent Part 1 Class F being 84, 88, 94, 96, 100, 108, 110, Class F: 124, 126, 128 Hertford Road, Development consisting of London, N9 (e) the provision within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse of a hard surface for any purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the dwelling house as such (f) the replacement in whole or in part of such a surface where it would front a highway, open space or waterway.
THIS DIRECTION is made under Article 4(2) of the said Order and in accordance with Article 6(7) and shall remain in force until 13th May 2009 (being six months from the date of this Direction) and shall then expire, unless it has been confirmed by the London Borough of Enfield as Local Planning Authority.
Article 4(2) of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 as amended.
This Direction may be cited as “The London Borough of Enfield Council (Enfield Borough Conservation Areas) Article 4(2) Direction 2008”.
Given under the Common Seal of the Council of the London Borough of Enfield this day of 2008.
The Common Seal of the Council was affixed to this Direction in the presence of: {……..}
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This page is intentionally left blank Page 59 Agenda Item 12
MUNICIPAL YEAR 2008/2009 REPORT NO. 138 Agenda – Part: 1 Item: 12 MEETING TITLE AND DATE: Council Subject: London Local Authorities Act 12 November 2008 1990 – Street Trading Policy
REPORT OF: Wards: All Director of Environment & Street Scene Cabinet Member consulted: Cllr Neville
Contact officer and telephone number: Mark Galvayne, ext. 4743 E mail: [email protected]
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1.1 On 17 September 2008 Council approved a Street Trading Policy.
1.2 In order to enact that policy, Council must now pass a Resolution to designate streets within the borough for street trading.
2. RECOMMENDATIONS
2.1 To consider and pass the draft resolution set out in Appendix C.
ENV 08.121 Page 60
3. BACKGROUND
3.1 On 17 September 2008, Council approved a draft Street Trading Policy, as recommended by the Licensing Committee. The Policy permits, in respect of certain highways within the borough, the use of the footway adjacent to restaurants, bars and cafés for tables & chairs. Also, the Policy provides for the use of those footways for occasional farmers markets and short-term seasonal markets. No street trading would be permitted unless safe and convenient pedestrian movement could be ensured.
3.2 The Law requires that, prior to any Policy taking effect, the Council must first publish a ‘notice of intention’ to pass a Resolution (to designate streets for street trading) in a local newspaper. Also, any representations made in respect of that newspaper notice must be considered by Council before any Resolution is passed.
3.3 On 24 September 2008, the Council’s ‘notice of intention’ was duly published in the Enfield Advertiser newspaper.
A copy of that newspaper notice is attached as Appendix A.
3.4 On 20 October 2008, a representation was made by the Green Lanes Business Association. Whilst the association supports the provision of tables & chairs, they object to farmers and seasonal markets.
A copy of the representation is attached as Appendix B.
3.5 On 28 October 2008, the Cabinet Member for Environment & Street Scene requested that a letter be sent to the Green Lanes Business Association. The letter confirmed that Enfield Council does support businesses, that the goods on sale at farmers and seasonal markets are not those that would typically be on sale in local shops and that these occasional markets may well improve trade at local shops by increasing the number of potential customers in the immediate vicinity.
3.6 On 29 October 2008, the Licensing Committee agreed that Council should decide whether or not the wording of the draft Resolution be amended in light of the representation received.
3.7 Council is invited to consider the representation and the wording of the draft Resolution.
A copy of the draft Resolution is attached as Appendix C.
3.8 Having agreed the wording of the Resolution, Council is invited to pass it.
ENV 08.121 Page 61
4. ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED
Not applicable
5. REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 To comply with the legal requirement to pass a Resolution.
6. COMMENTS OF THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND CORPORATE RESOURCES AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS
6.1 Financial Implications
6.1.1 There will be no adverse impact on the Council’s budget since any additional costs that may arise from the implementation of the proposed policy will be recovered through the charging of licensing fees.
6.2 Risk Management Implications
6.2.1 Any risks to the Council arising from the use of the highway for street trading purposes are covered by the requirement for licensees to provide adequate public liability insurance.
6.3 Legal Implications
6.3.1 Under the London Local Authorities Act 1990 (as amended) the Council has the power to designate certain streets as ‘licensed streets’ subject to the necessary consultations and making of the required designating resolutions. Once a street has been designated as such traders may apply to the Council for a licence to place tables and chairs on the street for one year.
6.3.2 Using the Licensing Act 2003 and the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 the Council can regulate the hours and extent of use of the Premises. The guidance included in the policy will ensure that relevant considerations including planning, are applied consistently in relation to application. Such guidance will be useful for the applicant and the decision makers when determining the application.
6.3.3 By virtue of Section 2 of the Local Government Act 2000 the Council has powers to do anything calculated to improve the social, economic and environmental well-being of the area or its inhabitants. This involves the exercise of discretion whereby a balanced decision must be reached taking into account all relevant matters that may include budgetary constraints
6.4 Property Implications None
ENV 08.121 Page 62
7. PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS
7.1 Specific service standards will be published in relation to the processing of licences if the Council approves additional designated areas.
8. COMMUNITY IMPLICATIONS
Positive Impact 8.1 The proposals outlined in this report are aimed at providing additional opportunities for those businesses and customers who wish to consume refreshments al fresco without impeding access to the highway or compromising safety of pedestrians.
9. PUTTING ENFIELD FIRST
9.1 The proposals support “Putting Enfield First” and will specifically impact upon:
9.1.1 Work with partners to increase prosperity and promote sustainable and cohesive communities, by Promote the growth and sustainability of enterprise and small businesses; &3
9.1.2 A cleaner, greener Enfield.
Background Papers
Council Report – 17 September 2008
ENV 08.121 Page 63
APPENDIX A LONDON BOROUGH OF ENFIELD
LONDON LOCAL AUTHORITIES ACT 1990 – PART III (STREET TRADING)
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO DESIGNATE LICENCE STREETS
Notice is hereby given that on 12 November 2008 the LONDON BOROUGH OF ENFIELD intends to pass a resolution (with effect from 1 January 2009) to designate certain streets as ‘licence streets’ for the purposes of street trading.
The resolution shall only permit the following street trading activities to take place: 1. Tables & chairs service – outside premises that are permitted to provide food and drink for consumption by the public on the premises; 2. Occasional farmers markets – in which farmers, growers or producers are present in person to sell their own produce to the public; 3. Short-term seasonal markets – in which seasonal produce is offered for sale to the public.
The resolution shall only permit these street trading activities to take place on the footways adjoining the following roads. Street trading shall not be permitted unless safe and convenient pedestrian movement can be ensured: Aldermans Hill N13 Colmans Parade EN1 Montagu Road N9 & N18 Ashfield Parade N14 Crescent West EN4 Nightingale Road N9 Baker Street EN1 Crown Lane N14 Ordnance Road EN3 Bounces Road N9 Fore Street N18 & N9 Percival Road EN1 Bowes Road N11 & N13 Forty Hill EN2 Queen Annes Place EN1 Bramley Road N14 Galliard Road N9 Ridge Avenue N21 Brimsdown Avenue EN3 Green Lanes N13 & N21 Savoy Parade EN1 Broadway (The) N14 Green Street EN3 Silver Street EN1 Bullsmoor Lane EN1, EN3 & Green (The) N14 & N21 Southbury Road EN1 EN8 Haselbury Road N9 & N18 St Marks Road EN1 Bury Street West N9 Hertford Road EN3 & N9 St Onge Parade EN1 Bush Hill Parade EN1 High Road N11 Station Road N11 Cannon Hill N14 High Street EN3 & N14 Tottenhall Road N13 Chase Side EN1, EN2 & N14 Hoe Lane EN3 Town (The) EN2 Chaseville Park Road N21 Lavender Hill EN2 Westerham Avenue N9 Cheapside N18 Lincoln Road EN1 & EN3 Winchmore Hill Road N14 & Church Street EN1 London Road EN1 N21 Cockfosters Road EN4 Main Avenue EN1 Windmill Hill EN2
Representations relating to this intended resolution may be made in writing, BY NO LATER THAN 22 OCTOBER 2008, to: The Principal Licensing Officer, London Borough of Enfield, PO Box 57, Civic Centre, Silver Street, Enfield EN1 3XH or by e-mail to: [email protected]
DATED: 24 September 2008
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APPENDIX B
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APPENDIX C
LONDON BOROUGH OF ENFIELD
LONDON LOCAL AUTHORITIES ACT 1990 – PART III (STREET TRADING)
RESOLUTION TO DESIGNATE LICENCE STREETS
The LONDON BOROUGH OF ENFIELD resolves, with effect from 1 January 2009, to designate the footways adjoining the following roads, where safe and convenient pedestrian movement can be ensured, as ‘licence streets’ for the purposes of street trading :
Aldermans Hill N13 Colmans Parade EN1 Nightingale Road N9 Ashfield Parade N14 Crescent West EN4 Ordnance Road EN3 Baker Street EN1 Crown Lane N14 Percival Road EN1 Bounces Road N9 Fore Street N18 & N9 Queen Annes Place EN1 Bowes Road N11 & N13 Forty Hill EN2 Ridge Avenue N21 Bramley Road N14 Galliard Road N9 Savoy Parade EN1 Brimsdown Avenue EN3 Green Lanes N13 & N21 Silver Street EN1 Broadway (The) N14 Green Street EN3 Southbury Road EN1 Bullsmoor Lane EN1, EN3 Green (The) N14 & N21 St Marks Road EN1 & EN8 Haselbury Road N9 & N18 St Onge Parade EN1 Bury Street West N9 Hertford Road EN3 & N9 Station Road N11 Bush Hill Parade EN1 High Road N11 Tottenhall Road N13 Cannon Hill N14 High Street EN3 & N14 Town (The) EN2 Chase Side EN1, EN2 & Hoe Lane EN3 Westerham Avenue N9 N14 Lavender Hill EN2 Winchmore Hill Road N14 Chaseville Park Road N21 Lincoln Road EN1 & EN3 & N21 Cheapside N18 London Road EN1 Windmill Hill EN2 Church Street EN1 Main Avenue EN1 Cockfosters Road EN4 Montagu Road N9 & N18
The LONDON BOROUGH OF ENFIELD further resolves that the street trading activities permitted in the licence streets listed above shall be restricted to :
1. Tables & chairs service – outside premises that are permitted to provide food and drink for consumption by the public on the premises; or 2. Occasional farmers markets – in which farmers, growers or producers are present in person to sell their own produce to the public; or 3. Short-term seasonal markets – in which seasonal produce is offered for sale to the public.
DATED: 12 November 2008.
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This page is intentionally left blank Page 69 Agenda Item 13
MUNICIPAL YEAR 2008/2009 REPORT NO. 139 Agenda – Part: 1 Item: 13 MEETING TITLE AND DATE: Full Council – 12 th Subject: Declaration of Enfield as Fairtrade November 2008 Borough
REPORT OF: Wards: All Fairtrade Working Group Cabinet Member consulted: N/A Contact officer and telephone number: Anna Loughlin- Projects and Performance Review Officer [email protected] 0208 379 4789 Mike Ahuja Head of Corporate Scrutiny Services [email protected] 0208 379 5044
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1.1 This report follows a report submitted to Full Council on 26 th March 2008 by
the Fairtrade Working Group. On 24 th January 2007 Council agreed :
1. To support Enfield’s application to become a Fairtrade Borough.
2. That a Fairtrade Steering Group be set up to oversee progress, and
to offer a co-ordination role for the activities to be completed by the
Council and the community groups involved.
3. That the Environment, Parks & Leisure Scrutiny Panel receive and
monitor an agreed Action Plan to achieve accreditation.
4. That the Fairtrade Steering Group report back to Full Council as
appropriate.
1.2 This report informs Council that following an application submitted to the
Fairtrade Foundation in July 2008 Enfield Borough was awarded Fairtrade
Status in September 2008 and is now recognised as a Fairtrade Borough.
1.3 Council is asked to note that this work has been successfully led by the
voluntary sector. (Full details of the steering group are shown in paragraph
3.1). Council also notes the launch and presentation of the Fairtrade
certificate to the Mayor of Enfield on Saturday 1 st November 2008.
2. RECOMMENDATIONS
2.1 That Council congratulates all those involved in Enfield Borough achievement of Fairtrade status.
2.2 The Council notes the on-going commitment of an officer @ SO1 grade for 8 hours per month to ensure the sustainability of Enfield’s Fairtrade status.
ENV 08.030 Page 70
3. BACKGROUND
3.1 In meeting the five goals for Fairtrade accreditation, the majority of effort was led and sustained by the voluntary Steering Group, with minimal input from Council Officers.
Members of the Steering Group are: • Bill Linton, United Nations Association • Jack Piachaud, United Nations Association • Becky Jenkins, Traidcraft • Martin Hunt, One-to-One • John Willshire, One-to-One • Rupert Price, Amnesty International/Society of Friends • Tahsin Ibrahim, Enfield Business and Retailers’ Association • Joe Grachvogel, Justice and Peace Group • Councillors Brett, Cole, Dreblow and Smith • Quentin Beningfield, Director of Africa React UK (local internet Fairtrade business) • Anna Loughlin, Enfield Council Co-ordinator • Lisa Taner, Bowes Primary School • Aidan Vickers, Southgate School • Nuni Randall, The Handloom Shop
Since the last report to Council , the Enfield Steering Group has been concentrating its efforts on auditing local retailers, restaurants and cafes, a) to find out if they stock Fairtrade products and b) if not, to encourage them to do so.
Good links have been forged with major retailers.
The list of retailers stocking Fairtrade products across the borough ranges from Asda in N14 to Tesco in EN3, and work places from the Enfield College canteen to the Chicken Shed Theatre Company. Thirty- five places of worship are serving Fairtrade products including a Hindu Temple, a Synagogue and a Mosque demonstrating the cross- community and cross-faith group support for this initiative.
4. ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED
None
5. REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
This has been agreed by full council.
ENV 08.030 Page 71
6. COMMENTS OF THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND CORPORATE RESOURCES AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS
6.1 Financial Implications
It is recommended that upon receiving accreditation, a named officer take on responsibility for Fairtrade. Current support has been provided for the past year from the Sustainable Communities Team, but the future location of this role is to be agreed once accreditation has been achieved, there is an annual Audit visit by the Fairtrade Foundation to ensure that the borough is adhering to its goals, and the Officer would co-ordinate this. Otherwise, the Officer’s role would be minimal, with the majority of on-going work being undertaken by the Voluntary Steering Group. A current estimate is that this role would not entail more than 8 hours in each month for an SO1 graded officer.
6.2 Risk Management Implications
This application is an opportunity that will help promote the Council’s reputation for community leadership.
6.3 Legal Implications
Section 2 of the Local Government Act 2000 provides that local authorities have power to do anything they consider likely to promote or improve the social, economic or environmental well-being of their area or the persons resident therein. Therefore the Council has a discretionary power to pursue a course of action if it is considered likely to have social, economic or environmental advantages in the area. In exercising such a discretionary power, Members need to take into account all relevant (and no irrelevant) considerations. This will include the financial implications of the proposal. Therefore, in the context of the present report, Members will need to be satisfied that achieving Fairtrade status will lead to local social, environmental or economic benefits and is an effective use of public funds.
6.4 Property Implications
None
7. PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS
As a result of community interest, having been brought to the attention of individual Councillors, the London Borough of Enfield is now a champion for Fairtrade- a social initiative that will highlight the Council and community’s commitment to trade equality.
By receiving the title of ‘Fairtrade Borough’ the Council’s reputation with local residents and other local authorities will be confirmed, showing an interest in global sustainability.
ENV 08.030 Page 72
8. COMMUNITY IMPLICATIONS
Positive Impact Although this proposal will have no direct benefit to members of the local community, the Council and its partners have raised awareness among the general public about Fairtrade issues and the benefits it can bring to producers. Encouraging residents to buy, and retailers to stock, Fairtrade goods allows the community to make informed decisions about products they purchase.
9. PUTTING ENFIELD FIRST
Background Papers
Report to Full Council 26 th March 2008 – Application to become a Fairtrade Borough
Background information on Fairtrade application and steering group notes
Minutes of Environment Parks & Leisure Scrutiny Panel – Updates to Panel
ENV 08.030 Page 73 Agenda Item 14
MUNICIPAL YEAR 2008/2009 REPORT NO. 126 Agenda – Part: 1 Item: 14 MEETING TITLE AND DATE: Cabinet 05 Nov 2008 Subject: PLACE SHAPING STRAT EGY Council 12 Nov 2008
REPORT OF: Wards: All Chief Executive Cabinet Members consulted: Cllr Rye Cllr Lavender Contact officer and telephone number: Simon Tendeter Assistant Director, Corporate Improvement 020 8379 3880 Email: [email protected]
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1.1 Cabinet decided in September 2006 to take forward a place shaping agenda for Enfield. There has been significant progress since then and place shaping is now a key vehicle for achieving the Council and it’s par tners shared ambitions for the borough. Until now however there has not been a written strategy, which sets out the rationale for place shaping in Enfield, it’s future direction and links to other Council and Partnership plans. The draft strategy attache d to this report has been produced with this in mind and will enable the Council to enhance its presentation of place shaping in Enfield and externally with key national and regional bodies including central government and the private sector.
2. RECOMMENDATIONS
2.1 Cabinet is asked to approve the draft place shaping strategy and to recommend its
adoption by the full Council meeting on 12 November 2008.
2.2 Council is asked to adopt the draft Place Shaping Strategy.
3. BACKGROUND
3.1 Place shaping in Enfield lies at the heart of the Council’s commitment to radically improve the quality of life across the borough. It is about people and places including physical transformation in priority areas and holistic partnership interventions, designed to improve community cohesion, health, housing, education, employment, safety and prosperity.
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3.2 To make the greatest impact, the Council will prioritise its work in areas where it is able to make the greatest difference and where the greatest challenges are faced. Four key areas have been identified and place shaping delivery plans are being developed for them, with full input from the community:
Enfield Town New Southgate Ponders End Meridian Water
3.3 Whilst resources will focus on these specific areas, the strategy recognises the importance of making sure that place shaping benefits the whole of Enfield. In essence the approach is a balance of borough wide activities and area priorities. Whilst the Council recognises the importance of major interventions in some areas, the strategy is about building on Enfield’s strengths and tackling challenges across the whole borough.
3.4 Specifically, the Council will continue to build on the successful physical and environmental regeneration in Edmonton Green by linking a programme of targeted interventions in this area to the four place shaping areas and in particular to the new employment opportunities emerging in Meridian Water. This will be a holistic programme aimed at tackling economic deprivation and social malaise on a broad front, including an emphasis on local initiatives to transform the opportunities for youth and helping people to access job opportunities.
4. THE PLACE SHAPING STRATEGY
4.1 The draft strategy sets out the rationale for Enfield’s approach to place shaping, including reasons for selecting the four priority areas and links with the Sustainable Community Strategy and the Local Area Agreement.
4.2 The draft strategy has been developed with full input from the Enfield Strategic Partnership including discussion at Board level, an ESP combined thematic action groups event, and individually with senior representatives from Enfield Community Empowerment Network, Enfield PCT, Job Centre Plus, the Learning Skills Council, Middlesex University, North Middlesex NHS Trust and the Police. The discussions with partners have covered the particular contribution that individual organisations and the ESP as a whole can make towards achieving place shaping objectives. Partners have indicated their willingness to endorse the strategy and to link it formally to Enfield’s Sustainable Community Strategy
4.3 Place shaping in Enfield is being developed with input from residents in the four areas and was the main topic at this year’s ESP ‘Enfield Matters’ event. The strategy emphasises the Council’s intention to Page 75
involve local residents in its future delivery and recognises the need to work with partners on developing and enhancing local community engagement arrangements.
5. NEXT STEPS
5.1 The Council’s Director of Place Shaping and Enterprise will lead the strategy’s Implementation. This includes working with the Council’s strategic partners on the development of delivery programmes for the four action areas and associated interventions in Edmonton Green, local governance arrangements, community engagement and area based performance management arrangements which link to the LAA. The Council’s Place Shaping Board comprising senior elected members will oversee these activities and ensure that place shaping is effectively driven at all levels of the Council.
5.2 Following approval by Cabinet and full Council, the strategy will be made available in print and on the web for a number of audiences including elected members, council managers, key partners, government departments, the Audit Commission, other inspectorates and private sector investors. This version will be available for the public and a short summary will also be produced.
5.3 The ESP will be invited to endorse the strategy at its Board meeting on 9 December 2008 and, subject to their agreement, it will then be integrated into the Sustainable Community Strategy for 2009-19.
6. ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED
None. Not having a written strategy would undermine the Council’s ability to deliver its place shaping ambitions.
7. REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
To improve the Council’s presentation of place shaping to the public, key partners and other stakeholders.
8. COMMENTS OF THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND CORPORATE RESOURCES AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS
8.1 Financial Implications
There are no financial implications arising directly from this report. The financial consequences of implementing the strategy will be addressed through the Council's budget process and review of the medium term financial plan. Page 76
8.2 Legal Implications
The contents of this report is carried out in accordance with the Local Government Act 2000 and the powers to promote or improve the economical social and environmental well being of an area and contributing to the achievement of the sustainable development. In preparing the strategy the Council will continue to engage its relevant stakeholders, the community and appropriate persons. All projects set out in the strategy will be carried out in accordance with the Councils constitution, rules and with engagement of legal / procurement / audit services and governance arrangements. The Local Government and Public Involvement Health Act 2007 introduce a number of measures relating to local government as well as involvement of local communities. This report meets the requirement of the Act and the Councils duties under the LAA
8.3 Risk Management Implications
Having a clear strategy for Place Shaping will provide an opportunity for the Council to clearly set out the rationale for its approach
9. PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS
The Council’s Place Shaping and Enterprise department will lead performance management of the place shaping strategy. This includes the development with the Council’s partners of a detailed performance framework for the four place shaping areas and the borough as a whole, linked to the LAA and other Council and Partnership plans.
10. COMMUNITY IMPLICATIONS
Place shaping is key to delivering the Council’s and its partners shared commitment to improving the quality of life for all of Enfield’s communities. The Strategy articulates how place shaping will involve and benefit local communities in four priority areas as well as the borough as a whole.
11. PUTTING ENFIELD FIRST
Place Shaping is identified in ‘Putting Enfield First’ as a major programme that contributes to realising the Council’s vision of “making Enfield one of the best places live, work, study and do business”.
Background Papers
None Page 77
Shaping Enfield’s Future Draft Place Shaping Strategy Page 78
Shaping Enfield’s Future
Welcome to the Enfield Place Shaping Strategy. Shaping Enfield’s Future sets out the Council’s commitment to improving the lives of all our citizens. It builds on our existing strategies and policies, creating a clear vision for the borough Our foundations are solid. Good schools, good transport links, low crime levels, quality housing, heritage attractions and green open spaces, waterways and prosperous suburbs all make Enfield a great place to live, work and visit. Now we look to build on our strengths and engage positively with opportunities arising from the 2012 Olympics, encouraging enterprise and developing the skills and capacity of local people, building a strong future economy. Large scale development is the catalyst for investment in housing, employment and social infrastructure - the very essence of place shaping in Enfield. We have worked effectively in partnership with private sector and government partners to deliver the aspirations of our residents. The redevelopment of Edmonton Green, the Palace Exchange shopping centre in Enfield Town and our current work with partners at Ponders End show we are capable of delivering high quality improvements. We are not only concerned with changing and improving the physical landscape of our borough. Place shaping is also about our commitment to supporting and maintaining a full range of community infrastructure to make Enfield a better place for everyone. In the longer term, our vision of eco-communities and waterside living is achievable through outstanding residential development opportunities that complement our borough’s distinct character and heritage and exploit its proximity to the Lee Valley Regional Park. This will place us strongly to meet the new challenges of the 21st Century. Shaping Enfield’s Future illustrates our readiness to meet these challenges and build a sustainable and prosperous future for Enfield.
Councillor Michael Rye Leader of the Council Page 79
1. Enfield Today
Enfield is a borough with much to offer. • Edmonton Green redevelopment. Our cultural diversity, heritage and tradition, • Enfield Town phases 1 and 2. proximity to central London and open countryside makes Enfield an excellent place • Major investments to improve the quality to live, work, study and visit. There are low of the borough’s highway network. levels of crime (Enfield is positioned 11th of 32 London Boroughs based on crime per • Improving the quality of parks and play 1000 residents), a strong economy (67th out areas in many parts of Enfield. of 408 local area districts), and the availability • Securing investment to allow us to replace of land presents many opportunities to and modernise street lighting throughout attract more business investment, develop Enfield. more homes and improve the services available to citizens. • Further improving the cleanliness of streets and public spaces. Things are changing in Enfield. We are continuing to build upon our track record • Extending CCTV schemes to cover more of developing and implementing major of the borough. projects and securing significant new investment that has improved the borough. • Focusing in the Council’s Improvement Plan Key examples include: on Building Schools for the Future, enhancing health and social care.
• Launching ‘Enfield Homes’ (an Arms Length Management Organisation – ALMO), to ensure that the Council housing stock meets the Government Decent Homes Standard.
Regenerating Edmonton Green Improving parks and play areas
Enfield Place Shaping Strategy | 1 Page 80
These and other achievements have But Enfield is growing and changing. seen resident satisfaction with the It continues to be the fifth largest Council increase over recent years. London borough with a population The Council has a strong reputation estimated to be about 285,300. with local partners and central Diversity and deprivation are government for delivering increasing and the gap between improvement based on sound service the prosperous and disadvantaged and financial planning in response to neighbourhoods of the borough is local and national priorities. widening. This can be hard to see from average figures, which mask A vibrant and flourishing private sector the disparity between our most is key to building more prosperous affluent and most disadvantaged communities throughout the borough communities. and the Council remains committed to retaining and supporting existing local While there are many opportunities, businesses. We have already our economy is still fragile; the nature upgraded some of our light industrial of our business base has changed estates and are continuing to improve over time with many of our our town centres. Working with local manufacturing industries being companies we will engage in initiatives replaced by retail, wholesale and to enable them to grow and prosper. haulage firms. Looking ahead, we need to secure a more sustainable Enfield has attracted considerable business base and rebalance the inward investment to the borough. The labour market across the whole Council is currently in negotiations with borough, so that concern about the a range of potential investors and is availability of jobs reduces. We need confident this will lead to a £7 billion to help strengthen an economy from investment programme in a range of a position where too many developments designed to improve businesses are in low growth sectors the economy, provide better services with limited scope to generate jobs. for local people and improve housing.
Innova Business Park in the northeast of the borough is home to a variety of businesses
2 | Enfield Place Shaping Strategy Page 81
Examples of significant challenges facing Enfield include: compared to a 2% rise in London and a drop of 15% across England. • Responding effectively to the credit crunch. • The number of households in temporary accommodation is • Average life expectancy in Enfield compares well with rising significantly and Enfield has the 4th highest number in London, but there is wide variation within the borough, England. Significant numbers of households are placed in with lower life expectancy, by up to 8.5 years, in the temporary accommodation in Enfield by other London south and east of the borough. boroughs and many remain in the borough on a • In common with other Outer London boroughs, permanent basis. Enfield’s position in the indices of deprivation has • It has also become more difficult for residents to buy their worsened– Enfield’s ranking in the 2007 Index of own homes because, whilst house prices rose slightly less Multiple Deprivation (IMD) rose from 104th (in 2004) to in Enfield compared with the rest of London 2004 – 2006 70th most deprived of 354 English boroughs. (9.7% vs. 10.7%), slightly lower income growth means that • There are high levels of inequality: (of the 32 London house price affordability has worsened in line with London. boroughs, Enfield has the 2nd highest inequality score While the current housing market position may help some in London when comparing the most and least people afford houses it will not make a significant impact. deprived super output areas). • These housing factors contribute to an increasingly • Housing Benefit claims between 2005 and 2007 transient population and a high turnaround in school showed the 14th highest rise in England at 11% pupil rolls.
Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), Position in England, by SOA, 2007
Enfield Place Shaping Strategy | 3 Page 82
Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index (IDACI), National Ranking, by SOA, 2007
• Child poverty is worsening with 5.7% more children in • A large share of working age residents are in ‘skills benefit claimant families than there were in 2005 poverty,’ below NVQ Level 2. compared to a 0.9% rise in London and a decrease of 0.4% in England. For children under 11, the situation is • Workplace based weekly earning at £466.00 per week even worse with an increase of 7.5% compared to and Gross Value Added (GVA) of £12973 is well below decreases of 0.2% for London and 1.6% for England. the London average.
• While overall crime levels have decreased, street crime • The perception of increasing numbers of immigrants is increasing with 30% of personal robbery occurring and refugees may have a negative affect on community between 3:00pm and 5:00pm and there are clear links cohesion. to schoolchildren as both victims and offenders. • Unemployment is high at 3.4% and affects parts of the • Issues that the community is most concerned about borough disproportionately. include crime, anti-social behaviour and poor street cleanliness and litter.
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Unemployment Rate at December 2007 If we fail to tackle these growing challenges we will be Analysis of the geographical dimension of these neglecting the needs of our most vulnerable communities growing challenges tells us that the south and the east and store up greater challenges for the future. of the borough are the areas which are experiencing the greatest challenges – it is in these areas that We will also be missing a real opportunity to improve the deprivation, crime, poor health, low skill levels and whole of the borough – making all of Enfield a place of other key indicators are most prevalent, and where choice – whether that is as a place to live, work, learn or they are increasing. do business. We will reduce our opportunities to secure new investment in the borough – in business, housing and The differences in life chances are also seen between recreation. We will fail to attract and keep new different groups. For example, smoking cessation is a communities that see Enfield as a long-term home in particular challenge in the Turkish community, educational which they wish to invest their own wealth, establish attainment across BME groups is lower than the national roots, and educate their children. Failure to act now will be average, the employment rate for women and people a failure to invest in securing the future of the borough, with disabilities is particularly low and a declining placing our successes and strengths at risk, and reducing proportion of young people are in work. opportunities to deliver the borough’s vision.
Enfield Place Shaping Strategy | 5 Page 84
2. Place shaping in Enfield
Our Place Shaping Strategy supports and Place shaping in Enfield is about: facilitates the national agenda set by central • making sure that we provide the right government and the local and sub-regional services to meet the needs of all of our opportunities and challenges that face the citizens. people of Enfield. • building capacity within our communities, The term ‘place shaping’ was used by Sir ensuring that the people of the borough Michael Lyons in the report of the ‘Inquiry have a range of opportunities and Into Local Government: Place-shaping: a maximum life chances. shared ambition for the future of local government’ (March 2007). Lyons • providing the best education and children’s describes place shaping as: services for Enfield families. “the creative use of powers and influence to • developing the skills of our workforce, so promote the general well being of a that our citizens can get secure jobs that community and its citizens.” enable them to improve their incomes and their quality of life. The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 built on • attracting investment from businesses, to themes developed by Lyons and set out fully exploit the economic potential of the duties and guidance for local authorities and borough, create more employment their partners in relation to their role in opportunities, and increase prosperity. community leadership. There is clear • providing more attractive and more acknowledgement that Councils with their affordable housing across the borough, by partners can and must influence the ‘place’ developing new housing and improving our they administer and the quality of life of the existing stock, offering houses that people communities that live there. A local Council choose to make their long term homes in. can make its area a better or worse place depending on its actions. • providing improved and accessible heath care across the borough, so that the The Council and its partners have a strong health and life expectancy of all of our track record of working together to deliver citizens improves, and inequalities in our shared vision for Enfield – ‘a healthy, health are reduced. prosperous, cohesive community living in a borough that is safe, clean and green.’ We • further reducing crime and the fear of have now decided to add further drive and crime, ensuring that all parts of the energy to our work by bringing many existing borough are places that people feel safe to strands of work under a unified Place live and work in. Shaping Strategy to address the • further improving our environment, offering opportunities and threats that face the high quality green spaces and well borough and its communities. designed town centres that are clean, This Place Shaping Strategy brings together attractive, and thriving. many of the existing priorities and strategies • building on our strong relationships with of the Council and its partners. Its purpose is neighbouring local authorities, the Greater to ensure that together we focus our London Authority, the North London resources and energy on the things that will Strategic Alliance and Government Office make the biggest difference to our for London to take forward our demanding communities and the people who want to improvement agenda whilst continuing to invest in them. play an active and influential part in sub-regional development.
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We know that if we can do these things, we Rail, landowners and other stakeholders to will maintain the strengths of the borough, build on the town’s current strengths, to whilst making major improvements to those increase the retail and leisure offering, areas that currently face the biggest improving opportunities for new businesses, challenges. This will improve the wellbeing increased employment and sustainable and quality of life of all our communities, and growth. We will strengthen transport links, in particular those who are most improve traffic flow and reduce congestion. disadvantaged. In all of this we will conserve and enhance the town’s fine historic character. We recognise the importance of making sure that, whilst resources will focus on specific Developing the full potential of Enfield town areas, people across the borough can see centre provides a focal point for the borough that place shaping benefits the whole of that attracts businesses and visitors, and Enfield. creates further opportunities to enhance the quality of life. Our Place Shaping Areas To make the greatest impact, we need to At the east end of the town, around Enfield focus and prioritise our work, so that we Town station, there is an opportunity for a make the greatest difference where the high quality mixed use development including greatest challenges are faced. Four key retail, office and leisure. Here better
areas have been identified: accessibility, traffic flow and parking arrangements would create a fully integrated, • Enfield Town: Enfield Town has benefited and much needed transport hub. Active talks from a major development programme that
with local landowners and Network Rail has seen improved retail facilities, a new about moving the station back along the line library and road improvements. We will work to create more space have already started. here with the business community, Network THE CREATIVE USE OF POWERS “ AND INFLUENCE TO PROMOTE THE GENERAL WELL BEING OF “A COMMUNITY AND ITS CITIZENS
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• New Southgate and the North in a consultation about the future of their Circular Road: Our aim here is to create a homes. The Council is also working with calm, clean, safe place to live, work and play. landowners and National Grid on proposals There will be attractive and safe pedestrian to improve the gateway to Enfield from the environments, rejuvenated and new North Circular. residential areas and an accessible network of green spaces. All of this will be supported • North East Enfield - Ponders End: Plans by an improved social infrastructure, are well under way for the improvement of community facilities and increased this area. We wish to support the established opportunities for business development in communities here and create strong and the area. stable neighbourhoods, particularly around Ponders End. Local communities are actively The area has been neglected and a cause for engaged in setting out what Ponders End concern for over 30 years. Uncertainty about needs to thrive and grow and negotiations plans for the North Circular Road has caused are progressing with developers and housing blight, with many properties being investors to ensure that we maximise the neglected and falling into disrepair. Plans, potential of the area. Brimsdown offers which take in adjoining roads on this stretch excellent opportunities for employment and of the North Circular recognise the need to business development. Together with the improve the area. The Council has already vacation of the Campus site by Middlesex granted planning permission for Transport for University it provides major development London’s safety and environmental scheme, opportunities that will help tackle local issues. which includes better pedestrian crossings and junction arrangements and funding for There is potential to create a mixed-use traffic calming and prevention of rat running development for residential, employment, in side roads. We are working with Transport leisure, educational and social opportunities, for London to ensure future proposals are boosting change in the High Street. Ponders co-ordinated. End station and the nearby gasholder site provide another eight acres for redevelopment We will work with the community to improving links to the Lee Valley Park. We also transform this area both physically and want to explore the opportunities for waterside socially. On the Council-owned Ladderswood development and leisure and recreation in and Way estate, residents are already taking part near the regional park.
Working with transport partners to improve The future of the Ladderswood Estate The former Middlesex University campus the local environment forms part of the Place Shaping agenda and gasholder site present significant opportunities
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• Central Leeside – Meridian Water: Our area are progressing well, and major vision includes work to transform the area redevelopment will commence soon. into a series of vibrant, sustainable communities that maximise the benefits of Whilst much of what we have described their proximity to the regional park and above is about physical improvements to develop new employment opportunities, areas, these are being designed with the embracing new technologies, as well as interests of local communities and consolidating its existing commercial role. businesses at their core. We know that people want good schools, accessible We want to create a high quality environment health services, safe environments, green with development coordinated to ensure a spaces, affordable housing, recreation successful relationship between different land facilities and job opportunities. In developing uses, which will attract investment and new these areas we will respond to their residents. These major developments will needs and aspirations. provide the opportunity to provide a comprehensive community infrastructure and In recognition of the need to make effective sustainable travel. We want Central Leeside links, we will ensure that the needs of the to be a good example of an eco community community in Edmonton Green are linked to respecting its environment and maximising the opportunities being created in our place opportunities for new communities and shaping plans. This follows the successful waterside living. Enfield Strategic Partnership (ESP) ‘Enfield Matters’ event, in July 2008, where local Most of Central Leeside is in Enfield but it residents discussed the development of also includes two Haringey wards, so plans place shaping in the four key areas and there are being prepared jointly with Haringey the borough as a whole. Council and its residents. Just to the north of Tottenham Hale at its southern end lie the In line with our skills and employment Edmonton Ikea and Tesco. It contains large strategy we intend to maximise Edmonton areas of land important to London. Much of it Green’s proximity to the designated is underused and its industry no longer ‘Opportunity Area’, which has the potential serves the business needs of today’s of delivering 15,000 jobs and 900 new London. Plans for the development of the homes by 2016.
Central Leeside could be an example of an eco community Attracting big names to the area maximising leisure opportunities
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Edmonton Green was our "pathfinder" in There are also more physical development Place Shaping, from which we have taken opportunities in Edmonton Green - more considerable learning. housing, shops and employment, and environmental improvement. We are working Edmonton Green has been transformed with St Modwens and our partners to physically and environmentally - residents prepare master plans to create the best enjoy good quality housing and residential outcomes for the community, once the environments following completion of what commercial environment is favourable, to was the biggest housing renewal scheme in make Edmonton a thriving and desirable Europe. Improvement in their shopping and place to live. leisure facilities is now coming to fruition and a major new North London transport Place Shaping in Enfield puts Edmonton interchange is operational. Green at the centre of the "Enfield Opportunity Route" - the realisation of a However, what we have learned is the desire line across the borough, linking Enfield need to tackle deprivation and social Town, Edmonton Green and Meridian Water malaise on a broader front. Improvement in with further employment and other Edmonton Green therefore continues with opportunities at Black Horse Lane and a rich programme of initiatives to transform Tottenham Hale. Borough residents will have the opportunities for local residents easy and affordable access to a wealth of including youth work and helping people opportunities in employment, housing, health, access new job opportunities. These education, and leisure and recreation. More projects will be transferable to our place prosperity will come to Edmonton Green shaping areas, enriching and especially as a result of the physical and strengthening our overall approach. economic link to the considerable growth that is proposed at Meridian Water.
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Case Study: Edmonton Green provision of an additional 176 two bedroom flats, all The regeneration of Edmonton Green which focused on of which were affordable. In addition, the Edmonton a radical refurbishment of the shopping centre and Partnership Initiative has overseen the complete transport hub, was initiated in 1999. This major refurbishment of the three tower blocks at Edmonton environmental and infrastructure project was created in Green and the development of a further 1,065 new partnership with developers, St. Modwen, Transport for homes in the locality. We will look to build on this London, the Primary Care Trust and local residents and success by connecting Edmonton residents to the registered social landlords. opportunities that will be created through the place shaping strategy. In making these strategic links and by Over the past nine years this has resulted in some enabling access to emerging opportunities for local significant and sustainable improvements for the area, people, we can address long standing issues of social including: a new Healthy Living Centre, a new bus exclusion by building social capital and increasing life station, a new market hall, expanded retail floor space, a chances through sustainable employment, enterprise new digital CCTV system with security office and the and training.
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People and Places Of course, we have been delivering Place shaping in Enfield is about people and improvements for all our communities for places. We are not just planning to transform many years now, but we recognise that we the physical environment in these four areas. need to be innovative and responsive to the Place shaping will see us working in changing circumstances that Enfield faces. partnership to improve the health and well The Place Shaping Strategy helps us focus being of the communities who live and work more effectively, acknowledging that much in them and connect people to new of our existing work can be significantly opportunities. We will work with local people enhanced by better co-ordination, greater to plan a series of improvements in a clarity of purpose, improved targeting of coherent and coordinated manner. resources and development of more Partnership work involving the Council’s coherent, attractive investment opportunities. health, education, business, the voluntary sector and development investors will A Borough Wide Strategy provide holistic approaches, which are In essence our approach is a balance of specifically designed to improve health, borough wide activities and area priorities. housing, education, employment, safety and Whilst we recognise the importance of major prosperity. interventions in some areas, the strategy is about building on our strengths and tackling Community engagement and involvement are challenges across the whole borough. at the heart of place shaping in Enfield. This strategy sets the foundation for our work with Our ambitions will be to continuously local people to create places and improve, and build on specific area identities communities that they want to live in, that and develop local plans with the community offer them the opportunities to find the to action where opportunities and resources housing they want, the education that meets allow. For example we will continue to their children’s needs, a safe environment for develop our major town centres including their families, where neighbours get on well Southgate and Palmers Green, taking together and the opportunities to work and advantage of opportunities as they arise, earn, securing a good quality of life. and ensuring that we maintain and enhance vibrant localities throughout Enfield.
Young people at the Ponders End Festival use modelling clay to show Residents of Ponders End were asked what they like what they hope to see in the Recreation Ground in years to come about the area, and how it could be improved at the Ponders End Festival on 15th June 2008
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Our Response Our place shaping activities will take two forms, thematic and area based.
Our thematic approach will respond to issues that are relevant to all parts or pockets of our communities that are not necessarily in one defined spatial area. Skills development and the cleaner and greener agenda are two of these key issues and which form part of our Local Area Agreement (LAA).
Alongside our thematic approach, we will continue to develop plans and exploit opportunities to ensure that we deliver Through effective stakeholder engagement we will improvements to all of our town centres. ensure all parts of the borough benefit from this Working with the community in these areas Place Shaping Strategy to further nurture local identities, we will maintain the quality of the environment, whilst be significant and we will work with creating opportunities for businesses and stakeholders within Enfield, sub-regionally, development. Using localised planning regionally and nationally to ensure that the approaches and effective stakeholder right benefits are secured. engagement we will make sure that all parts of the borough are able to benefit from our We will link our borough wide and locality Place Shaping Strategy. We will be clear based approach to the national, regional and about what we want to achieve in these sub regional context. On a national basis, our areas and deliver improvements as main reference points are the recommendations opportunities arise and resources allow. of the Lyons Inquiry and the key government legislation referred to earlier in this strategy. We The three place shaping areas in the south recognise that whilst these set a clear direction and east of the borough, however, face more for local government, we need to develop significant challenges, and in these areas, our specific approaches for Enfield that respond to approach is about physical and social the aspirations and preferences of local people transformation. and make best use of our local characteristics.
We will change these areas by offering On a regional and sub regional level we take greater opportunities for people to improve account of plans and priorities we have their life chances, whether they are long-term agreed with the North London Strategic households or new residents. Alliance, North London Ltd, the Greater London Authority, central government, the We are starting from a more challenging emerging Homes and Communities Agency position and will draw on the resources of a and associated partners. We recognise that wide range of partners and services to we need to work with these partners to build achieve success. Community engagement a strong future for Enfield. and capacity building will be a key feature with a view to developing comprehensive delivery plans to secure improvement in the short, medium and long term. We anticipate that in order to achieve this, intervention will
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3. The Ambition: Vision, Aims and Priorities
Enfield’s Future, a sustainable community Building Futures, Changing Lives strategy for Enfield 2007-2017 sets out the The Place Shaping Strategy and the LAA: ESP overall vision to make the borough: Building Futures, Changing Lives for Enfield are the main delivery vehicles for the ‘A healthy, prosperous, cohesive community sustainable community strategy, focusing on living in a borough that is safe, clean and tackling key borough wide challenges as set green.’ out earlier in this strategy, including:
This is the ‘top level’ strategy in the hierarchy • improving community cohesion. of local plans and sets the strategic direction for all public services in the borough. The • reducing crime and the perception of crime. Place Shaping Strategy will help deliver this overall vision. • increasing attainment of level 2 skills amongst children and young people and Our place shaping ambition, as set out in the the working age population. LAA, is to ensure that: • stabilising and then reducing out of work ‘by 2026 Enfield will have a strong sense of benefit claimant levels. place and identity; it will be a place that people are proud to call home and want to • reducing child poverty. invest in. It will be a prosperous, sustainable • increasing the availability of affordable
borough, maximising its strategic position homes and reducing the number of relative to two of the government growth areas households living in temporary housing. and the UK’s main economic driver, Central
London. Development in Enfield will meet the • continuing to improve street and needs of the present and add to the ability of environmental cleanliness. future generations to meet their needs.’ A HEALTHY, PROSPEROUS, “ COHESIVE COMMUNITY LIVING IN A BOROUGH THAT IS SAFE, “CLEAN AND GREEN.
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Enfield is also preparing its new spatial plan. what is important to Enfield’s communities, The emerging Local Development Framework and will be easily recognised and understood replaces the previous Unitary Development by them. Plan and will provide a suite of policies drawn together by the ‘Core Strategy’ which give a We will develop specific performance spatial expression to the strategic plans for frameworks that reflect the characteristics of the borough. each of the four areas and the specific priorities we establish for each of them. Spatial considerations are merely one component of place shaping, but the Local To measure our success we will assess Development Framework is an important progress within each of the four areas as well foundation on which to build many wide as measuring each area’s position against ranging elements of change. It cannot the borough as a whole in order to assess therefore be seen in isolation and is an how we are closing the gap to the borough opportunity to consolidate our responses to average. contrasting needs, aspirations and identities Our performance framework will also use in different parts of the borough. In setting indicators already set out in Enfield’s LAA out the aspirations within this strategy, we and in other local plans and strategies. This take account of both the emerging core will ensure that the place shaping strategy strategy and the developing Area Action binds them effectively together through Plans for Enfield Town, New Southgate and coherent and coordinated approaches. the North Circular area, North East Enfield and Central Leeside. These spatial priorities In order to achieve this we will focus on the are based on evidence of need and following borough wide or thematic priorities opportunity. which, will be measured predominantly through the LAA targets (the full list of priority The ambitions of the Place Shaping Strategy indicators can be found at Appendix 3): will help shape the Council’s corporate, departmental and service plans to ensure Improving our housing stock by delivery on the ground. This will mean that all increasing the quality of existing housing and of the Council’s corporate strategies and the delivering new homes in line with local business and service delivery plans of all its housing requirements now and in the future. departments will be aligned to our place shaping ambitions. As we have already Employment and skills by targeting the noted, we are already delivering many of the employability of many of our residents components of place shaping. This strategy ensuring that we maximise achievement to will coordinate relevant activities across the NVQ Level 2. Council and ensure that we maximise the Increasing the number of new firms and improvements we are able to deliver. improving the survival rates of existing Developing a performance framework businesses to improve the economy of the for place shaping borough and stimulate sustainable job The challenge of developing a performance creation. framework for place shaping is an issue we Improving our facilities for children and continue to refine and consult on. Working young people including the quality of our with our partners, we will develop a number buildings. Maximising attainment levels and of measures that will, over a period of time, closing the gap in levels of attainment demonstrate the difference we are making. between our best and worst performing The measures will be designed to reflect areas and groups.
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Improving community safety by working • Revitalising communities and creating with partners and local residents to reduce new ones where needed: focusing both crime and the fear of crime. on people and places, with a focus on transformation in some parts and Improving access to and take up of our incremental improvement in others. health care facilities to reduce health inequalities and improve life expectancy for • Building local capacity to deliver: we our residents. want to make sure that the skills and capacity of the Council, its partners and Improving our transport infrastructure local communities are developed and used through proactively linking into wider effectively. By doing this we will make the transport strategies of regional partners and most effective use of our resources, build the creation of an LDF framework that can new skills, knowledge and expertise in local create and respond to opportunity. organisations and communities whilst Improving the quality of our environment complementing existing resources, and by continuing our commitment to invest in improve opportunities for local people to and improve the quality and scope of take part in delivering our place shaping Enfield's parks and green spaces. ambitions.
Improving leisure opportunities including There are however some other fundamental physical improvements to existing facilities principles that will guide our approach to and encouraging increased participation from delivering the overall ambition. These include: all age groups. • Building on what we have already Building Stronger Communities by achieved: our approach to shaping our actively promoting Community Cohesion and communities is not a new one. We have a working with local residents to build pride in successful track record in securing Enfield. improvements at community level. Our guiding principles mean that we will take a Our Guiding Principles more holistic approach to ensuring that we Some of the key principles that will guide the focus both on social and physical implementation of place shaping are set out improvement. in the LAA. These are: • Balancing local need with • Making the best use of the borough’s opportunities: our approach is not just natural resources: Enfield’s proximity to about responding to opportunities from open countryside is key to our place outside the borough, although these are shaping agenda and ensuring that we important in terms of realising our maximise our residents health and ambitions. The Place Shaping Strategy is wellbeing. firmly rooted in local needs. The Enfield Observatory helps us to decipher what our • Retaining and improving the borough’s local communities and our performance are pleasant urban environment: Enfield is an telling us to shape the agenda. It is crucial attractive borough and we aim to build on this that we engage with the right external strength to ensure the whole of the borough stakeholders and ensure that long term provides an attractive urban environment for arrangements are developed in order for people who live, work and visit the area. This local aspirations to be met. principle will be further enhanced and focused through our new Parks Strategy which is currently under development.
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• Balancing ‘bottom up’ and ‘top down’ • Realistic investment plans: We will approaches: delivering the strategy is not develop investment plans with public and about doing something to the communities private sector partners. These plans will be we serve, rather it is about delivering designed to take full advantage of all improvement with and for the people of appropriate funding streams and build and Enfield. There will be times when we will utilise local capacity. In particular these form act as community leaders who provide part of the dialogue with the Homes and direction and choice, but this will be linked Communities Agency. Our plans will ensure to engagement, involvement and that we achieve good returns on our consultation and we will set in place investments, whilst offering business mechanisms for building capacity within investors the opportunities to achieve returns our communities to enable local voices to that will make Enfield an attractive and be heard. exciting investment opportunity for them.
• Working in partnership: The ESP is strong and mature but new agendas like the LAA mean that our partnership working is • Clear political leadership: Enfield Council augmenting and shifting each day. By is committed to fulfilling its community delivering a holistic approach to place leadership role in relation to place shaping. shaping, there are new, challenging Strong political leadership, from the Cabinet demands for partnership activity at a and the Place Shaping Board will maintain regional, sub regional, borough wide and our focus on priorities and ensure that place local level. We need to ensure that we take shaping in Enfield evolves in response to what is positive about our partnership the needs and wishes of our citizens. It will working to replicate success and adopt also provide confidence to current and flexibility in order that our partnerships are fit future developers and investors who will for purpose to deliver each element of the need to be sure that political support for the strategy. We are aware that realising our process is consistent and reliable and that vision can only be achieved collectively and we have the capacity to deliver. we will need to influence and work alongside external partners and stakeholders while working with our communities.
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4. Delivering Our Strategy
This section sets out the delivery with the ALMO - Enfield Homes, parks and mechanisms for the strategy. Our ambitions open spaces. and priorities for place shaping link directly to delivering the Sustainable Community This will be supported by the new Council Strategy and many of the delivery Place Shaping Board, with strong Cabinet mechanisms have long been in place. We are level membership, which has been created to realistic however that the place shaping oversee the development and delivery of this agenda consolidates and draws together our new strategic approach. activities in a way that changes gear, that Spatial Focus gathers momentum and will therefore require A spatial focus that is aligned with the additional resources and capacity which are emerging Local Development Framework will used innovatively and flexibly. The scale of be a vital framework for the delivery of the what we want to achieve means that these strategy on the ground. We will ensure that can only be secured through a range of we have resources and skills to harness a partnerships, securing focused approaches holistic approach within our planning from public services working closely with frameworks. private sector investors, central government and, most importantly, local people. Working with the Third Sector We are already working with the Community Place Shaping and Enterprise Development Trust in Ponders End to reach Department the community and ensure that needs and The Council’s new Place Shaping and aspirations are met through the strategy. We Enterprise Department will lead on the will replicate this delivery mechanism where development and delivery of this strategy. It appropriate and will adopt flexible local will provide effective co-ordination of the mechanisms to link the strategic and local Council’s existing and future activities that aspirations for the area. This will require support and contribute to place shaping in effective and focussed use of resources not Enfield, ensuring that the Council’s strategies only to identify and nurture new relationships are effectively aligned and its services deliver with these sectors but also to identify and fill more than the sum of their parts. The gaps where they exist. Enfield’s communities department will also be the main vehicle by will be at the heart of the development and which the Council will manage its relationship delivery of place shaping. with external stakeholders, build the confidence of current and potential investors Enfield Strategic Partnership in Enfield and influence and inform at sub Alongside our communities, the ESP is regional and regional level. Capacity and critical to support borough-wide boards and skills will need to be bolstered to be thematic partnerships are already achieving a successful in this area, harnessing additional great deal including the: resources, and bringing together existing skills and knowledge more effectively to fully • Children’s Trust Board exploit opportunities for further development • Safer and Stronger Communities Board on the basis of local need. The department covers the following Council service areas: • Health Improvement Partnership property services, economic development, • Community and Economic Development community and voluntary sectors, place Board shaping delivery co-ordination, planning policy, conservation and design, strategic • Older People Thematic Action Group housing function including the client function
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We will work with our partners to ensure that of citizens, businesses and all public these key partnerships contribute effectively services. to our place shaping agenda. • Hooks to attract external investors/ Enfield Observatory developers and the funding they can Through the Enfield Observatory, we have a access through various models such as wealth of intelligence from partners at a ward joint venture companies, development and super output area which helps to identity trusts and partnerships. need, issues and opportunities for improvement. Given that there is a great deal • Holistic planning to develop localities that of diversity and disparity across the borough, are attractive and well served and the the ability to disaggregate and assess creative use of planning processes where information at a local level is an important appropriate. building block to successful place shaping. • Effective links between the delivery/ We will be developing area profiles to ensure investment plans, the development plan we understand the changing context in our and the LDF, so that place shaping is areas. integrated.
Place Shaping Delivery/ Investment Plans • Phased timetables to ensure staged The Council and the ESP will prioritise the delivery that enables effective planning, development of detailed plans for the four implementation and succession planning place shaping areas, setting out what we will to meet longer term targets whilst building achieve in five, ten and twenty years. This and maintaining momentum. front end investment will be crucial and will develop into local and strategic governance • Alignment to the Council and partner and performance management arrangements business planning cycles to ensure that that will link to the delivery of the LAA and public services are coordinated to Sustainable Community Strategy in the long maximise the impact of the area focus. term. The local plans will be delivered through flexible delivery vehicles at a local We will ensure that plans are developed to level within a strategic framework but there address whole area planning needs. They will will be common features in all four, which will set out how housing, health and social care, include: children’s services, education, business and leisure needs will be met in each area, and • A robust evidence base, analysing need, identify the resources that are needed to opportunity and existing frameworks for deliver these. They will also indicate the each of the four areas. probable or intended source of resources (for example PCT capital programme plans, • A clear ambition supported by a set of Building Schools for the Future, joint venture priorities shaped by the community and companies). local businesses balanced against borough wide aspirations with links to the LAA, Our plans are long term, so we will build long Sustainable Community Strategy and the term partnerships with developers and Local Development Framework. investors, ensuring that they work with us to make the most of improving Enfield for local • Clarity on who will lead and who will people and businesses. We will seek partners support the planning and delivery of who are committed to working with us over improvements across the Council and the next 10-20 years to deliver our vision. beyond, with opportunities for involvement
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At a borough level, our ambitions and The actions set out below are all fundamental priorities are reflected in the LAA. Where building blocks to successfully delivering our particular elements of our borough wide ambitions and are linked to the Council’s priorities are not covered by the LAA they are Improvement Plan. delivered through other existing mechanisms such as the ESP thematic partnerships and • Conclude consultation with partners and supporting strategies. Our borough wide seek formal endorsement of the strategy by priorities are included in Appendix 1. the ESP Board.
Looking ahead • Strengthen internal relationships to ensure We will work with our partners and local that activities across the Council are communities to develop delivery plans that coordinated to deliver the strategy. will enable us to achieve our place shaping • Promote the Place Shaping Strategy at sub ambitions. We know that many of the regional and regional level to ensure it is necessary actions are already set out in considered when decisions affecting Enfield existing plans and strategies – we need to are made. bring these together during 2009 and develop an overarching delivery plan that will • Identify and secure the skills needed by the drive the strategy forward over the next five Council and its partner organisations to to ten years. enable the delivery of the strategy.
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• Develop comprehensive area profiles for - Introducing appropriate local governance each place shaping area arrangements.
• Base the main focus for each area on - Undertaking any other intelligence community engagement and the needs gathering or technical studies such as highlighted in the area profiles. housing market analysis, economic impact assessment, master planning, • Create detailed and bespoke delivery transport strategies that will inform what programmes with partners and other action to take in each area. stakeholders for each of the four areas that we have identified - Develop detailed performance framework – for the overarching plan and four local - Developing medium and long term approaches. investment plans with public and private sector partners. Achieving these actions will enable the Council, our partners and the local community - Developing detailed shared action to move forward confidently with our shared plans that bring together existing and ambitions, for a borough that is healthy, new activities. prosperous, cohesive, safe, clean and green.
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Appendix 1 – Borough wide priorities
Priority Existing delivery mechanisms Place Shaping delivery and focus
Improving the • LAA – Managed by the Enfield Strategic • Local engagement and capacity building Housing Stock Partnership (ESP) • Local Delivery Plans • Enfield Council Housing Business Plan 2008- • Capacity and skills around managing 2018 developers • Place Shaping and Enterprise– Departmental • Enfield Homes/delivery of Decent Homes Plan 2008 -2011 Standard • Safer and Stronger Communities Board • Housing Investment Plans • Housing Strategy 2005 – 10 • National Affordable Homes programme
Employment • LAA (ESP) • Local engagement and capacity building and Skills • Skills and Employment Strategy • Local Delivery Plans for the four priority (ESP thematic action group for economic areas development and enterprise) • Capacity and skills around managing • Skills and Employment Action plan developers
Improving our • LAA (ESP) • Local engagement and capacity building educational and • Building Schools for the Future • Local Delivery Plans for the four priority other facilities for • Education Children’s Services and Leisure areas children and Departmental Plan • Capacity and skills around managing young people • Local Development Framework developers • Children’s Trust • Children’s Area Partnerships • Children’s and Young People’s Plan • Early Years and Childcare • Integrated Youth Services
Improving our • Health Improvement Trust • Local engagement and capacity building healthcare • Local Delivery Plans for the four priority facilities and areas tackling health inequalities
Improving our • Local Development Framework • Local engagement and capacity building transport • London Transport Plan • Local Delivery Plans for the four priority infrastructure • Transport for London A406 proposal areas
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Priority Existing delivery mechanisms Place Shaping delivery and focus
Improving the • LAA • Local engagement and capacity building green and clean • Place Shaping and Enterprise Department Plan • Local Delivery Plans for the four priority appearance of • Environment and Street Scene Departmental areas the borough Plan • Development of holistic town plans • Parks Strategy • Improving environment, parks and green spaces
Improving • LAA • Local engagement and capacity building community • Safer and Stronger Communities Board • Local Delivery Plans for the four priority safety and areas reducing crime
Strengthening • LAA • Local engagement and capacity building Community • Community Cohesion Strategy • Local Delivery Plans for the four priority Cohesion • Comprehensive Engagement Framework areas
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Appendix 2
Governance arrangements and delivery. However local governance will The governance arrangements that exist not be enough to ensure that the ambition is within the partnership will be crucial to realised. We will explore how each of the four managing the borough wide priorities within ‘local governance arrangements’ will report the Place Shaping Strategy. This is largely to the Council and ESP on a quarterly basis. due to the alignment of many of the borough The Council’s cabinet has agreed to receive wide priorities with the LAA. We will identify six monthly place shaping updates. where this is the case and ensure that the ESP is aware of its key role in overseeing the We envisage that annual progress reports will delivery of place shaping priorities. be prepared setting out developments, achievements, performance against plans However there are elements of the borough and assessment of progress against agreed wide approach which will require further success measures (as initially set out in consideration and we anticipate that these Developing a performance framework for will need to be governed by the Council as it place shaping earlier in this strategy). undertakes its community leadership role.
The ESP Board, the Council’s Cabinet and the Place Shaping Board will all play key Budget roles in leading and overseeing the delivery of We recognise that, despite the progress we the Place Shaping Strategy. This will place have already made, we will need to kick-start elected members at the heart of the the delivery of this strategy. As well as strategy’s governance, ensuring political refocusing resources through our new Place accountability and leadership. Shaping and Enterprise Department, we have established a place shaping budget which The Place Shaping and Enterprise will help us organise our work effectively and Department will ensure that all Council place build the momentum that will be essential to shaping activity is effectively reported to the the delivery of the strategy. governance structures that we put in place. We will also use the department to In the first instance, over £3million of Council coordinate reporting on the work of partner funding has been allocated from one off agencies systems that are developed. We sources to support the development of the recognise the need to respect the place shaping programme to the end of independence of these organisations, and 2010/11. will work with them to ensure that they We will use the development of our Medium recognise their important roles in place Term Financial Planning process to secure shaping and the need to demonstrate longer-term resources for the programme. In effective decision making in line with borough addition we will work with the recently- wide strategies and to report to the Council established Homes and Communities Agency and ESP bodies on progress made. and other funding providers to ensure we In the four local areas: a local governance have integrated financial plans. We regard arrangement will be established with the this as a sound basis for funding Council Council, the community and its agency activity that will secure major investment in partnerships. Where joint ventures are the borough and increase the prosperity of pursued, developers and investors are also local citizens and businesses. likely to feature in governing development
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Appendix 3
Enfield’s Local Area Agreement Priority Indicators
34 National Indicators
NI 1 % of people who believe people from different backgrounds get on well together NI 6 Participation in regular volunteering CO DSO NI 16 Serious acquisitive crime rate PSA 23 NI 19 Rate of proven re-offending by young offenders PSA 23 NI 21 Dealing with local concerns about anti-social behaviour and crime by the local council and police PSA 23 (Baseline will be known from July 2008) NI 30 Re-offending rate of prolific and priority offenders HO DSO NI 32 Repeat incidents of domestic violence PSA 23 NI 39 Alcohol-harm related hospital admission rates PSA 25 NI 40 Drug users in effective treatment PSA 25 NI 47 People killed or seriously injured in road traffic accidents DfT DSO NI 56 Obesity among primary school age children in Year 6 NI 63 Stability of placements of looked after children: length of placement NI 79 Achievement of a level 2 qualification by the age of 19 PSA 10 NI 110 Young people’s participation in positive activities PSA 14 NI 111 First Time Entrants to the Youth Justice System aged 10-17 NI 112 Under 18 conception rate PSA 14 NI 113 Prevalence of Chlamydia in under 25 year olds DCSF DS a) Number screened b) Number of positive screens NI 116 Proportion of children in poverty PSA 9 NI 117 16 to 18 year olds who are not in education, training or employment (NEETs) NI 118 Take up of formal childcare by low-income working families NI 121 Mortality rate from all circulatory diseases at ages under 75 DH DSO NI 123 16 years + current smoking rate prevalence PSA 18 NI 130 Social Care clients receiving Self Directed Support (Direct Payments and Individual Budgets) DH DSO NI 135 Carers receiving needs assessment or review and a specific carer’s service, or advice and information DH DSO NI 136 People supported to live independently through social services (all ages) NI 150 Adults in contact with secondary mental health services in employment NI 153 Working age people claiming out of work benefit in worse performing neighbourhoods NI 155 Number of affordable homes delivered (gross) PSA 20 (provisional) NI 156 Number of households living in Temporary Accommodation NI 163 Working age population qualified to at least Level 2 or higher PSA 2 NI 182 Satisfaction of businesses with local authority regulation services NI 185 CO2 reduction from Local Authority operations NI 191 Residual household waste per household NI 195 Improved street and environmental cleanliness (levels of graffiti, litter, detritus and fly posting) Defra DSO a) litter b) detritus c) graffiti d) flyposting
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16 DCSF Statutory Improvement Indicators
NI 72 Achievement of at least 78 points across the Early Years Foundation Stage with at least 6 in each of the scales in Personal Social and Emotional Development and Communication, Language and Literacy PSA 10 NI 73 Achievement at level 4 or above in both English and Maths at Key Stage 2 (Threshold) PSA 10 NI 74 Achievement at level 5 or above in both English and Maths at Key Stage 3 (Threshold) PSA 10 NI 75 Achievement of 5 or more A*-C grades at GCSE or equivalent including English and Maths (Threshold) PSA 10 NI 83 Achievement at level 5 or above in Science at Key Stage 3 DCSF DSO NI 92 Narrowing the gap between the lowest achieving 20% in the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile and the rest PSA 11 NI 93 Progression by 2 levels in English between Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 NI 94 Progression by 2 levels in Maths between Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 NI 95 Progression by 2 levels in English between Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 NI 96 Progression by 2 levels in Maths between Key Stage 2 and Key Stage NI 97 Progression by 2 levels in English between Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 NI 98 Progression by 2 levels in Maths between Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 NI 99 Children in care reaching level 4 in English at Key Stage 2 PSA 11 NI 100 Children in care reaching level 4 in Maths at Key Stage 2 PSA 11 NI 101 Children in care achieving 5 A*-C GCSEs (or equivalent) at Key Stage 4 (including English and Maths) PSA 11 NI 87 Secondary school persistent absence rate DCSF DSO NI 50 Emotional Health of Children PSA 12 NI 71 Looked After Children Runaway NI 158 Decent Homes NI 198 Children Travelling to School NI 186 Per Capita reduction in CO2 emissions in the area
Enfield Local Priority targets
NI 50 Emotional Health of Children PSA 12 NI 71 Looked After Children Runaway NI 158 Decent Homes NI 198 Children Travelling to School NI 186 Per Capita reduction in CO2 emissions in the area
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For more information about Enfield’s Place Shaping Strategy please contact the Place Shaping Team:
E: [email protected] T: 020 8379 4304 or 020 8379 3805 Page 109 Agenda Item 15
COUNCILLORS’ QUESTIONS
Question 1 from Councillor E Savva to Councillor Neville Cabinet Member for Environment and Street Scene
“Can Councillor Neville inform the council how much was spent by the last Labour administration from the council's own capital resources on carriageway maintenance in Edmonton between 2000 and 2002.”
Reply from Councillor Neville:
“We do not have detailed figures for highway maintenance expenditure on different parts of the borough for the period requested. However, for the whole of the borough during the two financial years April 2000 to March 2002, a mere £1,392,000 of the Council's own Capital was allocated to highway maintenance.”
Question 2 from Councillor Bond to Councillor Rye, Leader of the Council,
"At the June Council Meeting, you said that you were to meet Lord Hanningford to discuss the closure of Post Offices and how the council can assist those Post Offices that wish to stay open. Can he inform the council of the outcome of those discussions and also what ideas he is now to put forward for the council to assist those parts of Enfield that are affected by the closure of Post Offices?"
Reply from Councillor Rye:
Councillor Bond is correct in saying in response to his supplementary question at the June council meeting, I indicated that we would contact Essex County Council to see if there was a possibility of providing some support for Post Offices within council premises. I had planned to see Lord Hanningford at the Local Government Conference in July along with other Conservative leaders, but unfortunately he did not attend this conference. Our officers are in discussion with Essex County Council about this issue. In addition we have made our own representations to the Post Office about post office closures in Enfield without success.
Post Office Counters emphasised to the council that the government had removed so much business from them that the whole network had been undermined. Without a large government subsidy many Post Offices were sadly now unviable.
Question 3 from Councillor Fallart to Councillor Neville, Cabinet Member for Environment and Street Scene:
“Would Councillor Neville comment on the article on page 5 of the Enfield Gazette of the 16 th October 2008 which reported a call from a former Labour Councillor for the introduction of differential charges for the collection of domestic waste?
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Reply from Councillor Neville:
“The introduction of charges for the collection of waste as proposed by the former Labour member would mean a significant increase in charges to families, not only living in the Southbury Ward, but also elsewhere in the borough. As set out in my report on the new wheeled bin service to Cabinet on 8 October, which stated that no charges would be introduced for the collection of waste, I can confirm again that as long the Conservatives retain control of Enfield Council such regressive Labour policies will not be implemented.”
Question 4 from Councillor Giladi to Councillor Neville, Cabinet Member for Environment and Street Scene,
"Following the much publicised “deep clean” in Edmonton, as well as other hotspots of litter in the borough, (council press release 30 September 2008), what extra funding has the council allocated to the “deep cleaning programme?"
Reply from Councillor Neville:
“I am pleased that the results from the deep clean programme in Edmonton have been recognized in particular by members opposite. This is a one-off programme being carried out in the current financial year to assess its impact. This approach is proposed to be adopted as part of the overall street cleansing service from 2009/2010 onwards and would be funded from efficiencies identified from within the current budget allocation for street scene of £4.13 million. This would form part of the service review outlined in the 'new wheeled bin service' report to Cabinet in October. This administration has regularly spent more money than Labour did in its 8 years on cleansing the streets throughout the borough.”
Question 5 from Councillor Bond to Councillor Neville, Cabinet Member for Environment and Street Scene,
“Following the much publicised “deep clean” in Edmonton, as well as other hot spots of litter in the borough, (council press release 30 September 2008), besides Edmonton what are the other “hot spots” that will feature in this programme and when?”
Reply from Councillor Neville:
“As indicated in my response to the last question, I am pleased that the results from the deep clean programme in Edmonton have been recognised. This administration has had an ongoing programme of cleansing improvements in the borough. I recognise that we cannot achieve perfection, but we are certainly not complacent and we seek to continuously improve. This is a one-off programme being carried out in the current financial year to assess its impact and it is being positively received. This approach, if adopted, will be rolled out to all town centres and shopping parades as part of the overall street cleansing service from 2009/2010. This would form part of the service review outlined in the 'new wheeled bin service' report adopted by Cabinet in October.”
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Question 6 from Councillor Stafford to Councillor Zinkin, Cabinet member for Customer Focus, Communications and Corporate Improvement
"Following the Evening Standard article on 2 October 2008 that stated that Edmonton is nicknamed “Shank Town”, what action have you taken to inform the Evening Standard that this is not an accurate description of Edmonton?"
Reply from Councillor Zinkin:
“This term was first used by the Daily Mail and Evening Standard earlier in the year at the time of the tragic murders of young people in the area. When challenged by the council’s press office, the journalist claimed that it came from young people themselves. We do not condone the use of this term.
Throughout this year we have been trying to promote the improvements taking place in Edmonton and the many positive aspects of life. We have also promoted the wide range of work taking place with young people to divert them away from crime and violence.
The press release that resulted in the coverage on 2 October was again promoting the work the council is doing to improve the quality of life in Edmonton. Apart from using the term ‘shank town’, the coverage was very positive about the deep clean and that ‘Edmonton is on the up’. The story was also covered in the two local newspapers who we are encouraging to play their part in improving the perception of Edmonton and the wider borough. Most recently they were invited on a tour of the borough to understand more about our place-shaping plans.
We will continue to promote the many positive stories of Edmonton and are working with the Edmonton Partnership Initiative and representatives of the local area to develop a specific communications plan to promote a positive message for Edmonton.”
Question 7 from Councillor Lamprecht to Councillor Vince, Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services:
“Will Councillor Vince please comment on how we celebrate the achievements of looked after children and young people who the council have a corporate responsibility for?”
Reply from Councillor Vince:
“Every year we hold two achievement days; one for 13-18 year olds and the other for 7-11 year olds.
There are appropriate age-related activities for the children and young people in the morning, followed by an award ceremony at which I present them with awards that recognise their achievements across a wide range of activities.
The children are supported by carers, social workers and other professionals. There is a family feeling about the events with everyone applauding the children’s achievements.
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For the last few years at the 13-18 year olds event, there has been a keenly contested football match between staff and young people in care. The result of this year’s match is still being hotly debated even though there was an independent referee.
For the last three years, children’s social care and cultural services have jointly run an animation project during the summer holidays. Groups of looked after children produce animated films which they use to express their wishes and feelings. We show the completed films to a specially invited audience at Millfield Theatre. We were pleased that the mayor was able to attend this year’s event in October.
For the last two years, I have organised a tea party in the mayor’s parlour to celebrate the educational achievement of looked after young people. This event is well attended by young people and this year some of the university students we are supporting came and expressed their appreciation for all the support that social workers and Enfield Council have provided for them.
Last week I held another tea party to thank all those young people involved in the animation project.
In addition, Local Area Agreement (LAA) funding during the past two years has allowed us to reward particular individual achievements and in some cases to provide incentives for young people to help them start on the process of obtaining qualifications.
The aim of all these activities is to try to improve the self-esteem of children and young people who have experienced loss or abuse before coming into care and to let them know that they are capable of achieving more than they think they can.
I am sure you will all join me in thanking all those staff involved with supporting these children and young people as their work can go unappreciated.
Question 8 from Councillor George Savva to Councillor Edward Smith, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Services
"Will the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Services give an assurance that the new residential home at the current site of Elizabeth House will consist of a minimum of 80 units?”
Reply from Councillor Smith:
“The Cabinet Report of the 5th March 2008 identified the Elizabeth House and Pitfield Way site as the best option for a dual registered care home. Noting that detailed work had not been completed it was recommended that a minimum 80 bed dual registered facility for older people could be seen on a combined Elizabeth House and Pitfield Way site.
Work continues to look at the options and feasibility of the site. Work to date indicates that it will not be feasible to economically combine the Elizabeth House and Pitfield Way sites which are currently separated by a road. Therefore Page 113 proposals are being developed on the basis of the Elizabeth House site only for a new care home. A further report on this scheme is due to be brought back to Cabinet detailing the product of the work undertaken by Property Services as well as details of the appraisal of the capital and revenue implications. The proposals will also be discussed at the Adult Social Services Scrutiny Panel before going to Cabinet.
Every effort will be made to maximise the use of the Elizabeth House site and increase the number of beds which can be provided, whilst complying fully with the Commissioning for Social Care Inspection minimum spatial requirements for high quality care home provision. Given the characteristics and size of the site it is likely that the number of beds that can be provided on this site will be about 70, although it is not possible to confirm this until design work including consultation with planning has been undertaken. We are also looking at a range of possible complementary uses of the adjacent Pitfield Way site.
I am sure that Councillor Savva and other members on the Scrutiny Panel will continue to make a very valuable contribution to the development of a new purpose built, high quality, dual registered care facility in the east of the borough.”
Question 9 from Councillor Jukes to Councillor Neville, Cabinet Member for Environment and Street Scene:
“Would Councillor Neville comment on new planning controls on footway crossovers, recently introduced?"
Reply from Councillor Neville:
“I welcome changes introduced recently to better control the development of footway crossovers. From 1 October 2008, the ‘permitted development rights’ that allow householders to convert their front garden into hard standing without planning permission have changed.
In future planning permission will be required for all new driveways or parking areas that are constructed without using permeable surfaces, unless the rainwater is otherwise able to soak naturally into the ground. Residents will need to consider their choice of materials and their sub-base, gradients and whether they can incorporate borders and flowerbeds into their design. However, they must not allow rainwater from their property to discharge on to the public highway. The new rules also apply where existing hard standings are being replaced.
Planning permission will be required for all other forms of construction of crossover.
I support these changes because uncontrolled methods of construction can contribute to flooding and pollution of watercourses.
I take the opportunity to remind Council that residents must have a properly constructed footway crossover to allow vehicular access across the pavement to their property. This is in order to prevent damage to the pavement and to utility apparatus beneath the pavement. Page 114
Officers from Highway Services and Development Control have discussed the implications of the changes in planning legislation on the management of footway crossings. An advisory note to residents informing them of the changes and where to obtain more information has been included in the application pack for footway crossings. We do already require that residents do not discharge their rain water runoff onto the public highway and Highway Officers already check this as part of the current application process.”
Question 10 from Councillor Cole to Councillor Laban, Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Safety
"Given that the council is upgrading street lighting across the borough and that Councillor Laban is aware that the lighting on many estates is below an acceptable standard, what steps is he taking to bring lighting on council estates up to the same standard as street lighting. Will he agree to instruct that the council carries out an inspection of lighting on all council estates and ensures that resources are available for a planned improvement programme across the borough."
Reply from Councillor Laban:
“Enfield Council and our partner organisation, Enfield Homes, fully understand residents' concerns regarding potential community safety issues caused by poor estate lighting and we take these responsibilities very seriously.
The lighting of our estates consists both of column lighting (generally maintained by the council's Highways Section) and light fittings mounted on the common areas of the blocks (generally maintained by Enfield Homes). Over the years many of the estates have benefitted from lighting improvements carried out as part of other major improvement works and we endeavour to maintain the estate lighting through both the responsive maintenance service and planned maintenance programmes.
Enfield Homes has recently had meetings with the authority's Highways Section to review the issue of column estate lighting and the extent of the lighting up- grades currently being carried out by the Highways section under the Private Finance Initiative scheme. On completion of this work we will be able to ascertain and detail any improvement works required to estate column lighting which is currently maintained by Enfield Homes, establish an improvement programme and fully evaluate costs.
Finally, the bid for Decent Homes Funding includes an element for environmental improvements across the stock, with lighting forming a part of this package and although there are no immediate plans to upgrade estate lighting generally, this will be considered as part of our future plans.”
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Question 11 from Councillor E Savva to Councillor Neville, Cabinet Member for Environment and Street Scene:
“Would the Cabinet Member for Environment and Street Scene comment on the ISO 14001 Accreditation for the Environment and Management System recently awarded to Street Scene and Waste Services?”
Reply from Councillor Neville:
“I am very pleased to report that Street Scene and Waste Services have been accredited by BSI as compliant with the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System. The scope of this certification covers street cleansing, refuse and recycling and is the first council division to achieve this status under the revised standard. Street Scene and Waste Services provide a range of critical services to the public of this borough and by working to this recognised worldwide standard the council is demonstrating that we take our environmental responsibilities seriously. ISO 14001 is not just a one-off paper standard or exercise but is an evolving Environmental Management System that will be continually updated and improved as a result of regular audits and reviews. Each year, our Quality Manual, documents and environmental systems will be reviewed by an external assessor to check that we are complying with the ISO 14001 Standard and are keeping our records up-to-date.
Our Environmental Management System sets out our annual targets and objectives that allow us to control our impact on the environment (e.g. preventing pollution) and enable us to continually improve our performance. This is achieved through the effective management of waste and energy, control of emissions, management of materials and the control and influence on suppliers. Working to ISO 14001 will allow us to check that we are meeting our legal responsibilities and that we are reducing our potential for environmental incidents.”
Question 12 from Councillor Bond to Councillor Neville, Cabinet Member for Environment and Street Scene
"Can the Cabinet Member give the council an assurance that the Shopmobility provision in Enfield is to remain open in the coming financial year? Can he also tell the council what plans he has to promote the provision of this facility in the run up to Christmas?"
Reply from Councillor Neville:
“We have set up a working group to seek alternative ways of providing or funding the service. A number of options are being explored with regard to the future of Edmonton Shopmobility, including the possibility of sponsorship by retail companies including Asda. It is however by no means certain that such funding will be forthcoming.
Enfield Shopmobility is being absorbed within the services offered by the Reception Centre at the Civic Centre. Any budgetary implications are expected to be minimal now that the service has been set up, other than maintenance of equipment. Page 116
Posters for both centres have been distributed, information on the council and National Federation of Shopmobilities has been updated, various community groups have handed out leaflets and flyers and included adverts or notices in their respective newsletters. We hope to have an advert in the November edition of Our Enfield. New signage for both centres is being addressed.”
Question 13 from Councillor E Savva to Councillor Neville, Cabinet Member for Environment and Street Scene:
“Would Councillor Neville comment on recent press reports that there are 53 brothels operating in the borough, and what action is he proposing to deal with this problem?”
Reply from Councillor Neville:
“The Environmental Crime Unit and the police are working together in partnership to identify and deal with brothels in Enfield. They will use both civil and criminal powers to combat the problem.
It was noted that the report on 53 brothels was published in the Advertiser on which the back page of the paper had a number of advertisements which could be perceived as for that type of establishment. The Head of Community Safety will be writing a letter to the local Advertiser newspaper requesting their support by declining any advert that would promote this type of premises. Every premises regardless of whether it is a business or residential address that offers massage must have a Special Treatment Licence from the council and officers investigate any queries from the police about whether potential advertisers actually hold a licence and are therefore legitimate. Any premises that are identified as otherwise are passed on to the police.”
Question 14 from Councillor Pipe to Councillor Neville, Cabinet Member for Environment and Street Scene:
"What additional action is Councillor Neville planning to take to improve the control of litter in shopping parades?"
Reply from Councillor Neville:
“At the Cabinet meeting in October new and improved service delivery options for the recycling, refuse and street cleansing services were approved.
A number of service improvements were proposed to improve standards of cleanliness, including from April 2009 enhanced cleansing programmes for town centres and main shopping parades. The new programmes involve earlier start and later finishing times for cleansing schedules delivering a more sustained presence in these prominent locations. Additionally we are developing an enforcement action programme to tackle street litter, and private land defaced by litter which includes statutory bodies such as Transport for London (London Underground), Network Rail, telephone, gas and electricity companies who fail to keep their land clear of litter. Page 117
Where litter can be clearly traced to certain types of business, such as ‘food on the go’ establishments, the council will serve Street Litter Control Notices on the occupiers requiring them to clear the footway and adjacent land within 100 metres of their premises. The types of business include food premises, betting shops and automated teller machines.”
Question 15 from Councillor Adams to Councillor Hurer, Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Resources:
"Would Councillor Hurer inform members of the overall cost to the council in respect of holding the Citizenship Ceremonies?"
Reply from Councillor Hurer:
“The council has a statutory responsibility to provide citizenship ceremonies. The council receives payment from the Home Office on a per applicant basis – this is estimated at £120K in the current year. The budgeted cost of the service in 2008/09 is £38K, which includes employee costs and running expenses.”
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