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Summary
The Enfield Council Cabinet met to discuss financial monitoring reports, strategies for housing and digital services, and various regeneration and acquisition projects. They approved recommendations for the 2025/26 Quarter 1 Revenue and Capital Monitoring Report and the 2025/26 Quarter 1 Treasury Management Monitoring Report, alongside strategies for digital data, artificial intelligence, and council housing asset management. Additionally, the cabinet approved compulsory purchase orders for Cheshire House and Shropshire House, as well as Joyce and Snells, and agreed in principle to the acquisition of land in Crews Hill for new council homes.
Housing and Regeneration Projects
The Cabinet made several key decisions regarding housing and regeneration projects across the borough.
Cheshire House and Shropshire House Compulsory Purchase Order
The Cabinet approved the making of a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for Cheshire House and Shropshire House on The Shires Estate in Edmonton N18. This decision will allow the council to decommission and demolish the blocks due to safety concerns, with the aim of redeveloping the site to provide new housing. The decision was made under Section 17 of the Housing Act 19851.
The Cabinet delegated authority to the Executive Director of Housing and Regeneration, in consultation with the Director of Law and Governance, to make necessary changes to the draft Statement of Reasons, the Order Schedule, and the Order Map. They are also authorised to take all necessary steps to implement the Order, including making General Vesting Declarations2 (GVDs) and serving notices to treat and notices of entry.
Joyce and Snells Compulsory Purchase
The Cabinet approved the making of a Compulsory Purchase Order for land and rights within the area edged red on the Order Map, including Wadham House, as part of the Joyce and Snell’s Estate Regeneration project. This decision enables the council to demolish Wadham House and construct new housing on the site and adjacent council-owned land.
The Executive Director of Housing and Regeneration, in consultation with the Director of Law and Governance, was delegated authority to make necessary changes to the draft Statement of Reasons and the Order Map, and to take all necessary steps to implement the Order. This includes making General Vesting Declarations and serving notices to treat and notices of entry.
The Cabinet also approved the appropriation of the land for planning purposes under Section 122 of the Local Government Act 19723, subject to Secretary of State consent and the council being registered as the owner of the freehold interest in the land.
Delivery of Council Homes in Crews Hill
The Cabinet agreed in principle to the acquisition of land at Crews Hill for the purpose of developing a scheme to provide 58 council homes. The Cabinet Member for Housing was delegated authority to agree to the acquisition upon advice from external lawyers regarding the legal structure.
Delivery of Upton and Raynham Road Development Scheme
The Cabinet approved entering into a JCT Design and Build Main Works Contract4 with Contractor B to deliver 135 affordable homes at the Upton and Raynham Road Development Scheme, comprising 42 social rent, 66 London Affordable Rent, and 27 shared equity homes.
The Cabinet also approved the defined area for prioritising the allocation of new rented homes as Scott House and the Joyce and Snells estate. Additionally, they delegated authority to the Cabinet Member for Housing to agree to the appropriation of land if deemed necessary after statutory processes have been completed.
Council Housing Asset Management Strategy
The Cabinet agreed to recommend to Full Council the approval of the Council Housing Asset Management Strategy 2025-2029. This strategy outlines how the council will manage and maintain its housing assets to align with corporate aims, objectives, and regulatory requirements. The Executive Director of Housing and Regeneration was delegated authority to agree, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, an annual programme of investment works to council housing in accordance with the approved strategy.
Long Leasing Funding - Capital Drawdown
The Cabinet approved the drawdown of £309,239,680 within the Temporary Accommodation (TA) capital budget of £660m for the leasing of properties for use as temporary accommodation in 2025-26 and 2026-27.
Digital and Data Strategy
The Cabinet agreed to the Council-wide Digital and Data and Artificial Intelligence Strategy, which promotes the Council’s Plan 2023-26, delivers accessible and improved services, and supports the Council’s Workforce Strategy. The strategy aims to leverage digital advances and AI to improve public services and reduce costs. Digital Services will develop a delivery plan and roadmap, incorporating measures and timelines into the Digital Services Portfolio for 2026/27 and beyond.
Financial Monitoring
The Cabinet addressed financial performance and treasury management.
2025/26 Quarter 1 Revenue and Capital Monitoring Report
The Cabinet noted the final General Fund revenue outturn position for 2024/25 and the Quarter 1 2025/26 General Fund net revenue forecast adverse variance of £6.6m. They also noted the progress on savings set in the original 2025/26 budget and those deferred from 2024/25, with a projected shortfall in delivery in-year of £2.7m. The impact of the forecast on the Council’s reserves balances and the forecast in-year overspend on the Dedicated Schools Grant of £3.0m were also noted.
2025/26 Quarter 1 Treasury Management Monitoring Report
The Cabinet noted the borrowing and investments position as of 30 June 2025 and Quarter 1 estimates for the financial year 2025/26.
Biodiversity Net Gain at Forty Hall Parkland
The Cabinet agreed in principle to sell Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) units at Forty Hall Parkland and to ring-fence the BNG income for habitat maintenance and capital works investment at the parkland. A detailed scheme will be developed and submitted to the Cabinet Member for Environment, Culture and Open Spaces for approval. The Cabinet also delegated authority to the Cabinet Member for Environment, Culture and Open Spaces to agree to enter into a Conservation Covenant5, Section 106 agreement6, or any other legal construct required to create the BNG scheme.
2024/25 Quarter 4 Performance Report
The Cabinet noted the progress being made against the key priority indicators for Enfield and the Complaints Report to be submitted to the Housing Ombudsman, as well as the Tenant Satisfaction Measures ratings submitted to the Housing Regulator.
Traveller Local Plan
The Cabinet agreed to recommend to Full Council the approval of the Proposed Submission Traveller Local Plan (TLP) for publication for a minimum six-week period of public consultation, pursuant to Regulation 19 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 20127 (as amended). The Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) and its Appendices, and Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA) were also approved for publication.
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The Housing Act 1985 is a UK law concerning public sector housing, including council housing. It covers a range of issues such as the right to buy, landlord and tenant rights, and management of housing stock. ↩
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A General Vesting Declaration (GVD) is a legal mechanism used in the UK during compulsory purchase. It allows a public authority to take ownership of land after serving notice, without needing to complete individual transfers from each owner. ↩
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Section 122 of the Local Government Act 1972 allows local authorities to appropriate land for purposes for which they do not already hold it, provided certain conditions are met, such as demonstrating that the appropriation will benefit the area. ↩
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A JCT Design and Build Contract is a standard form of contract used in the UK construction industry. It is published by the Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) and is used when the contractor is responsible for both the design and construction of a project. ↩
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A conservation covenant is a legal agreement between a landowner and a responsible body (such as a local authority or conservation organisation) to conserve the natural or heritage features of the land. ↩
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A Section 106 agreement is a legally binding agreement between a local authority and a developer. It is named after Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, which allows local planning authorities to enter into agreements with developers to mitigate the impact of a development on the community and environment. ↩
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The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 is a set of regulations that govern the preparation, content, and adoption of local plans in England. Local plans are documents that set out a framework for the future development of an area. ↩
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