The Full Council of Haringey Council met on Monday 20 July 2026 to discuss the council's financial position, including statutory recommendations from external auditors. The meeting also covered the appointment of political assistants and updates to the Members' Allowances Scheme.

External Auditor Recommendations

The council was scheduled to consider statutory and non-statutory recommendations from its external auditors, KPMG LLP, concerning the council's financial position. These recommendations, made under Schedule 7 of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014, highlighted concerns about the council's financial sustainability, a significant decrease in reserves, and ongoing reliance on Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The report indicated that KPMG LLP had previously raised concerns about value for money in the preceding two financial years. The council's proposed response, detailed in Appendix B of the public reports pack¹, included accepting the recommendations and outlining actions to increase savings targets, deliver savings in line with these targets, and identify transformational savings to bridge the financial gap and reduce reliance on EFS. The council also planned to foster a culture where financial implications are given as prominent a focus as service quality, and to enhance the robustness of savings identification and monitoring processes.

Political Assistants and Constitution Updates

The Standards Committee presented a report regarding the appointment of Political Assistants and necessary updates to the Council's Constitution. With three political groups now qualifying for such support, the council was asked to approve the establishment of these roles for 2026 and to conduct a review to ensure value for money, in line with government guidance. The proposed appointments were for three political assistants on one-year fixed contracts, with a review to take place between August and November 2026. The review findings and final decisions on terms and conditions were to be delegated to the Appointments Panel. Updates to the Council's Constitution were also proposed to clearly set out provisions for these political group appointments.

Members' Allowances Scheme Update

The council was also scheduled to consider an update to the Members' Allowances Scheme for 2026-2027. This update was to formalise the access of Members to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), following new government legislation that came into effect on 11 May 2026. The report indicated that the impact of employer contributions to the scheme was not expected to be significant due to the lower level of councillor allowances. Members were to be provided with information on enrolment and implications, with a briefing session scheduled for October 2026. The updated scheme, attached as Appendix 4, was recommended for approval.

Questions to Cabinet Members

Several questions were scheduled to be put to Cabinet Members on a range of topics:

• Councillor Andrea Hodgson was to ask Councillor Mark Blake, Leader of the Council, about the local authority's role in the dispute between the NEU and Highgate Wood School.
• Councillor Mike Hodges was to ask Councillor Erin Wolson, Cabinet Member for Culture & Leisure, about improvements to help residents stay safe and cool during extreme heat.
• Councillor Sarah Williams was to ask Councillor Gio Iozzi, Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Transport, about the current position and future prospects for the Oakfield Road tree in Stroud Green.
• Councillor Bethany Anderson was to ask Councillor Gio Iozzi about the council's approach to reducing the use of glyphosate, including trials of alternative weed management methods.
• Councillor Michael Brookes was to ask Councillor Ata Berk Aksit, Cabinet Member for Communities, about the purpose of the proposed Popular Assets Commission.
• Councillor Andrew Reid was to ask Councillor Jo Kuper, Cabinet Member for Tackling Inequality and Resident Services, for an update on the long-term waste contract with Veolia, focusing on waste reduction, recycling, and environmental sustainability.
• Councillor Eva Bell was to ask Councillor Gio Iozzi for an update on the implementation of Haringey's Walking and Cycling Action Plan.
• Councillor Ahmed was to ask Councillor Erin Wolson about the council's plans for managing Finsbury Park, in light of the Green manifesto's commitment to renegotiate or end certain deals and limit major commercial events.
• Councillor Simon Clark was to ask Councillor Jo Kuper for an update on efforts to reduce delays in responding to residents' enquiries and service requests.

Motions

Two motions were scheduled for consideration:

• Motion A: Appointment of a Haringey Windrush Champion. Proposed by Councillor Andrew Reid and seconded by Councillor Dan Johnson, this motion aimed to create the role of a Windrush Champion to act as a point of contact, increase awareness and uptake of the Windrush Compensation Scheme, and champion the interests of the Windrush generation.
• Motion B: Council Tax Reduction Scheme. Proposed by Councillor Seema Chandwani and seconded by Councillor Ibrahim Ali, this motion addressed the cost of living crisis and its impact on Haringey residents. It resolved to consider no changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS) during the upcoming budget round, to expand the Council Tax Hardship Fund, and to ensure the Crisis and Resilience Fund is used to help residents build financial resilience rather than substitute council revenue.