The Cabinet of Waltham Forest Council met on Wednesday 9 February 2011, making decisions on council reorganisation, waste and recycling policy, and housing revenue accounts. Key decisions included the approval of significant departmental restructuring, a new waste and recycling collection strategy, and an average rent increase of 6.22% for tenants.

Council Reorganisation Phase 3

Cabinet agreed to proceed with significant changes to the structures of several departments, including the deletion and creation of posts within Adult Social Care, Children and Young People Services, Environment and Regeneration, and Finance. The proposed 'To Be' structures for these teams were also approved. A recommendation regarding the delegation of decisions on future phases of the re-organisation to the Chief Executive was deferred. Cabinet also adopted recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee, which recognised the challenges faced by the council due to government funding reductions and supported the proposed measures as the best available response. The committee also requested to continue reviewing the process as it is implemented and that information on delegated decisions be communicated to Scrutiny Members.

Trade union representatives, Dave Knight from UNISON and Moshe Ashe from GMB, spoke against the recommendations. They expressed concerns about the transparency of delegating decisions to the Chief Executive, the detrimental effect of proposed savings on services for vulnerable people, and the impact on staff livelihoods. They argued for exploring alternative funding and slowing down the cuts process, using reserves to mitigate job losses. Councillor Afzal Akram, Portfolio Holder for Corporate Resources, Business and Employment, responded by stating that the council could not wait for other funding and had a legal responsibility to set a budget, having identified £47m in savings through the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS). He apologised for the late distribution of the consultation document but emphasised the necessity of the savings.

Waste and Recycling Policy

A new waste and recycling separation and collection strategy was agreed, which includes weekly collections for residual waste and co-mingled dry recycling, with options for residents to choose smaller bins. The strategy also introduces the collection of all plastics and tetra-style cartons for recycling. Organic waste, including garden and food waste, will continue to be collected alternate weekly. Cabinet also approved communication, education, and enforcement processes designed to increase waste management awareness and drive behavioural change. Furthermore, the use of Household Waste and Recycling Centres (HWRCs) will be restricted to residents of Waltham Forest, with regular reviews. The waste policies set out in Appendix 1 of the report were also approved. Councillor Clyde Loakes, Portfolio Holder for Environment, highlighted the increase in recycling and the reduction in carbon emissions achieved by combining systems, and noted that the recycling of all plastics fulfilled a key manifesto pledge.

Housing Revenue Account Budget and Rent Setting 2011/12

Cabinet agreed to set rents for tenants in Housing Revenue Account (HRA) dwellings and hostels in line with government guidance, resulting in an average rent increase of 6.22% to £86.08, effective from 4 April 2011. The average rent plus service charge will increase by 6.0%. Average service charges will be set to recover costs from all tenants receiving the service. The HRA Budget for 2011/12 and the Revised Budget for 2010/11 were agreed. Heating charges will increase by 3% to bring income closer to the cost of provision, and garage rents will also increase by 3% to £10.70 per week. A Management Fee of £21,109,000 for Ascham Homes for 2011/12 was approved. Authority was delegated to the Portfolio Lead for Housing and Development, Councillor Marie Pye, to approve schemes of improvement on estates up to the total of the identified surplus on the HRA.

For the Housing Services Account, the administration charge for homeless families in certain types of accommodation will increase by 3% to £59.20 per week from 4th April 2011. The charge for sites at the Travellers' Site will also increase by 3% to £40.35 per week. Councillor Marie Pye, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Development, noted that Ascham Homes had made savings of nearly £900,000, allowing for a greater focus on tenants' concerns, such as door security, and highlighted significant improvements in Ascham Homes' performance.

Waltham Forest Tree Strategy

The Cabinet adopted the Waltham Forest Tree Strategy as a Council policy document and agreed to its publication on the Council's website. Councillor Geraldine Reardon, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Arts and Culture, introduced the report, stating that the strategy had been prepared in response to the London Tree and Woodland Framework, which identified the production of borough tree strategies as a high priority.

Continuum of Care Policy

Cabinet agreed that officers should undertake consultation on identified options for the Continuum of Care policy, with a consultation strategy outlined in the report. The revised options include Do nothing or closing two specific homes, Francis House and Flaxen House, and using the capital receipts to provide a model of support for people with complex needs. Any further options received during the consultation will also be considered. The council will also consider the requirement for additional extra care capacity as part of the identified need in the Joint Prevention Strategy and will receive the outcome of the consultation for a future decision. Councillor Angie Bean, Portfolio Holder for Health, Adult and Older People, noted that two options previously mentioned had been removed and that consultations would conclude in May 2011.

London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics Host Boroughs Review of Governance Arrangements

The Cabinet approved the disestablishment of the existing Joint-Committee of the five Host Boroughs for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the establishment of a new Joint-Committee of six Host Boroughs, to include the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, effective from 1 April 2011. The Chief Executive was authorised to amend the relevant agreements and rules to give effect to this change. The terms of reference were confirmed, subject to the incorporation of Barking and Dagenham and the delegation of executive functions. The appointment of the Council's representatives to the new Joint-Committee was also confirmed. Councillors Chris Robbins, Clyde Loakes, Marie Pye, and Geraldine Reardon declared personal interests in this item as members or deputies of the current Joint Committee.

Waltham Forest Local Development Framework - North London Waste Plan (NLWP): Submission Draft

Cabinet approved the North London Waste Plan (NLWP) for publication and submission to the government. The Executive Director Environment and Regeneration, in consultation with the Executive Member for Housing and Development and other north London boroughs, was authorised to submit appropriate changes to the NLWP during the public examination process. Councillor Clyde Loakes, Portfolio Holder for Environment, thanked officers for their work in developing the submission draft over several years.

LBWF Local Economic Assessment

Cabinet agreed to adopt the Local Economic Assessment for Waltham Forest. Councillor Afzal Akram, Portfolio Holder for Corporate Resources, Business and Employment, explained that the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 placed a statutory duty on councils to prepare such assessments, which would be reviewed regularly with a focus on employment issues.

Shared Economic Development Service (Waltham Forest and Haringey)

Cabinet agreed to the initial business case and model for the proposed Shared Economic Development Service. Further work will be undertaken to establish the shared service in early 2011/12, consistent with the approach and processes in the previously agreed Memorandum of Understanding. Councillor Afzal Akram highlighted that the service would be phased in, with operational delivery by December 2011, and would result in total savings of £817,842.

Waste and Recycling Services Contract Update and Tender Evaluation

Cabinet agreed to the proposals for the evaluation of tenders for the Waste Services Contract. It was noted that an award of contract is intended to be recommended to Cabinet at its July 2011 meeting.

Monthly Financial Management Report

Cabinet noted the financial position at month 9, which indicated a potential overspend of £2.475 million on the approved budget. There was also a further risk of overspending of approximately £3 million regarding the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme, with potential implications for the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS). Cabinet also agreed the capital budget changes listed at Appendix F to the report.