The Council meeting scheduled for Wednesday, 24th January 2024, was set to discuss a range of important issues, including the protection of the borough's green spaces, financial matters related to council tax and business rates, and various motions proposed by councillors on topics from public health to housing and environmental concerns. The meeting's agenda also included the appointment of independent persons for the Councillor Conduct Committee.

Protecting Enfield's Green Spaces

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the protection of Enfield's green spaces, as outlined in an issues paper prepared by the Opposition Group. The report highlighted the numerous benefits of these spaces, citing Historic England and the Greater London Authority on their importance for physical and mental wellbeing, community cohesion, and providing a respite from urban life. The paper raised concerns about the current administration's approach, suggesting that several valued green areas, including Kenninghall Open Space, Haselbury Church Street Recreation Ground, Brimsdown Sports Ground, the woodland surrounding Sainsbury's in Winchmore Hill, and St. Anne's School Playing Fields, were under threat of redevelopment. The report also detailed the significant public benefit provided by Enfield's golf clubs, noting their biodiversity and outreach programmes, and expressed concern over legal battles and proposed developments affecting Whitewebbs Park Golf Course and Crews Hill Golf Course. The Council was scheduled to consider a resolution to protect these outdoor sports and recreation facilities as community assets and to ensure they are safeguarded against unjustified loss.

Council Tax and Business Rate Collection 2024/25

The Council was asked to approve the 2024/25 council tax and business rate bases. This involved agreeing to the calculated Council Tax Base for 2024/25 as 97,786 Band D equivalents. The report also recommended approval of the non-domestic rating income estimate for 2024/25, which was £127,764,130, excluding collection fund adjustments. A revised discretionary power to levy a Council Tax premium of 100% on dwellings unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for more than one year but less than five years was also proposed. The report detailed the proposed schedule of discounts and premiums for various types of properties, including a 100% premium for dwellings empty for one to five years, a 200% premium for those empty for five to ten years, and a 300% premium for those empty for over ten years. The report also outlined the business rates retention scheme, the impact of the Non-Domestic Rating Act 2023, and the proposed inflation factor for the standard multiplier.

Independent Persons Appointment for the Councillor Conduct Committee

The Council was scheduled to consider appointments to the role of Independent Person for the Councillor Conduct Committee. The Localism Act 2011 mandates the appointment of independent persons to provide an impartial view on allegations of misconduct against councillors. The report recommended the appointment of Gary Rogers for a two-year term and the extension of Joan Mansfield's appointment until May 2026, ensuring the committee retains two independent persons to manage complaints effectively.

Motions

A series of motions were scheduled for discussion, covering a wide range of local issues:

• Motion 10.1 (Councillor Ergin Erbil): This motion aimed to recognise the interconnectedness of the Cost of Living and Climate Crisis, advocating for decisions that contribute to environmental and social benefits, promoting robust public transport, working with social landlords on energy efficiency, and calling on the government for increased financial support for residents and ambitious national commitments to energy efficiency improvements.
• Motion 10.2 (Councillor Bektas Ozer): This motion addressed the proposed cuts to the Household Support Fund (HSF) and urged the Council to write to the Chancellor to call for its continuation, highlighting the fund's importance in supporting families with holiday activities, school food banks, and direct financial assistance.
• Motion 10.3 (Councillor Ayten Guzel): This motion focused on tackling childhood obesity in Enfield, noting the high rates of overweight and obese children. It proposed reviewing supplementary planning documents to manage the proliferation of fast-food outlets, particularly near schools and youth facilities.
• Motion 10.4 (Councillor Bektas Ozer): This motion addressed the crisis in the NHS, calling for adequate funding for national NHS services and fair funding for Enfield's services. It also proposed working with local NHS services for better GP provision in the borough.
• Motion 10.5 (Councillor Thomas Fawns): This motion highlighted the housing crisis and the impact of the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rate freeze. It resolved to join lobbying efforts to call for LHA rates to match rents, preventing low-income families from being priced out of areas like Enfield.
• Motion 10.6 (Councillor Kate Anolue): This motion called on the Council to commit to further efforts to support breastfeeding parents by developing a visible scheme encouraging businesses to be supportive of mothers breastfeeding their babies.
• Motion 10.7 (Councillor Bektas Ozer): This motion expressed concern over Thames Water's discharge of raw sewage into Enfield's waterways. It called for tightened rules on sewage discharges, improved enforcement, and for the government to set legally binding targets to reduce dumping events.
• Motion 10.8 (Councillor Ayten Guzel): This motion proposed a collaborative campaign with NHS maternity services and VCS partners to increase uptake of the whooping cough vaccination among pregnant women and their families.
• Motion 10.9 (Councillor Maria Alexandrou): This motion condemned the death of Mahsa Amini and expressed support for the people of Iran demanding freedom.
• Motion 10.10 (Councillor Maria Alexandrou): This motion proposed exempting all blue badge holders from Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) in Enfield, citing equality and fairness and urging meaningful engagement with disability groups.
• Motion 10.11 (Councillor Maria Alexandrou): This motion highlighted International Men's Day and the theme of Zero Male Suicide, urging the Council to focus support on men's mental well-being.
• Motion 10.12 (Councillor Chris Joannides): This motion supported World Aids Day and the national HIV Action Plan, committing to flying the red ribbon flag and promoting the sale of Red Ribbons to break down the stigma associated with HIV.
• Motion 10.13 (Councillor Lee Chamberlain): This motion called for the immediate rehoming of residents from structurally unsound towers at the Shires Estate and Wallbrook House, drawing a comparison to the swift evacuation of a tower block in Bristol.
• Motion 10.14 (Councillor Joanne Laban): This motion addressed the decline of cash acceptance by businesses and agreed to work with Enfield businesses to encourage the continued acceptance of cash to support local residents and small businesses.
• Motion 10.15 (Councillor Chris Dey): This motion called for military compensation to be disregarded as income when assessing applications for locally administered benefits, supporting the Royal British Legion's call for this change.
• Motion 10.16 (Councillor Paul Pratt): This motion addressed concerns about heavy traffic being diverted through residential roads in Arnos Grove ward and agreed that prevention should be the default approach, rather than waiting for a fatality or serious incident.

The meeting was also scheduled to confirm changes to committee memberships and nominations to outside bodies. The date of the next meeting was noted as Thursday, 22nd February 2024.