The Cabinet of Haringey Council met on Tuesday 21 October 2025, approving a strategy to fund affordable housing through institutional finance, which included an initial capital budget of £5 million. The meeting also saw the adoption of new Tenancy Management and Tenancy Strategies, aimed at improving housing services for tenants and leaseholders.

Funding Affordable Housing Through Long-Term Institutional Finance

The Cabinet approved a strategy to purchase and lease residential accommodation to address the increasing demand for temporary accommodation and reduce costs associated with it. This strategy involves the development and incorporation of a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) to secure financing from institutional investors, such as pension funds. The council will initiate a market exercise through the LLP to select a suitable funder and a registered provider. An initial capital budget of up to £5 million, funded from the capital programme contingency budget, has been approved for the negotiated purchase price of residential housing units and associated costs. Authority has been delegated to the Corporate Director of Finance and Resources to agree individual property purchases, with any potential deal requiring further Cabinet approval before transaction.

Adopting a New Tenancy Management Policy

A new Tenancy Management Policy was approved by the Cabinet, which will come into effect from 4 November 2025. This policy consolidates the council's approach to tenancy management for council tenants and their households, with a core focus on tenancy sustainment. It aims to ensure the council meets the Social Housing Regulator's consumer standards, specifically the Tenancy Standard and the Transparency, Influence and Accountability Standard. The policy outlines the council's approach to providing an efficient and effective tenancy management service, including details on tenancy types, ending tenancies, supporting tenants to sustain their homes, and tackling tenancy fraud. Authority has been delegated to the Director of Housing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, to make future modifications to the policy as required by legal or regulatory changes.

Adopting a New Tenancy Strategy

The Cabinet also approved the adoption of a new Tenancy Strategy, effective from 4 November 2025. This strategy sets out the council's expectations for Registered Providers (RPs) of social housing in the borough, providing guidance on letting social housing, developing housing policies, and supporting residents to live independently and sustain their tenancies. The strategy recommends that RPs issue lifetime tenancies, produce accessible tenancy agreements, and support tenants to sustain their homes by taking early action to address concerns that could put their tenancy at risk. It also advocates for a proactive approach to preventing homelessness when a social housing provider intends to end a tenancy. Similar to the Tenancy Management Policy, authority has been delegated to the Director of Housing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, to make future modifications to the strategy.

Approval of Contract for Demolition and New Homes Programme at Broadwater Farm

The Cabinet approved the appointment of contractors for two key elements of the Broadwater Farm Estate Renewal Programme. This includes the appointment of a contractor for phase two of the new build programme, which will deliver 139 council-rented homes and retail/workspace units on the former Tangmere site. Additionally, a contractor will be appointed to undertake the demolition of the Northolt and Stapleford wing blocks, which are enabling works for future phases of the new build programme. The council also approved the appropriation of land from housing to planning purposes to facilitate these works, with powers to override third-party rights and interests, and subsequently appropriate the land back to housing upon completion. The decision reflects the council's commitment to estate renewal and delivering new homes, supported by extensive resident engagement.

Approval to Deliver Council Homes and Let Construction Contract within Sir Frederick Messer Estate Boundary N15

The Cabinet approved the appointment of a contractor to undertake new build works for sixty-six council homes on the land at the corner of Seven Sisters Road and St Ann's Road, N15 6NP. This development includes seven fully wheelchair-accessible homes and will be let at social rent. The scheme is designed to Passivhaus principles for high energy efficiency and includes landscape and amenity improvements. The council also approved the appropriation of the land for planning purposes to facilitate the development and the use of powers to override third-party rights, with compensation payable if necessary. The land will be appropriated back to housing purposes upon completion. This project contributes to the council's commitment to building 3,000 council homes by 2031.

Approval to Procure Print / Post Services

The Cabinet approved the commencement of procurement activities for a services contract for secure print and postal services to support the Revenues and Benefits, Housing, Planning, and Pensions departments. This decision is necessary as the current contract expires in January 2026, and the production of statutory notices via post is an essential service. The procurement will be conducted via the CCS G-Cloud 14 framework. The council aims to minimise costs by promoting digital communication channels where possible, with an estimated potential saving of £500,000 per annum if a 100% channel shift from paper to digital is achieved for non-statutory correspondence.

Approval to Tender for the Mallard Place (Chocolate Factory Phase 2) Works Contract

Approval was given to tender for the works contract for Mallard Place (Chocolate Factory Phase 2), which will deliver 150 new council homes and commercial spaces. This development is part of the council's commitment to build 3,000 council homes by 2031. The project includes a significant proportion of two-bedroom or larger homes, wheelchair-accessible flats, and features designed for energy efficiency and noise reduction. The primary route to market will be the LCP Minor Works Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS), with a reversion to the LCP Major Works Housing Framework if necessary. This decision ensures the council does not lose secured grant allocations.

Funding Affordable Housing Through Long-Term Institutional Finance

The Cabinet approved a strategy for the purchase and lease of residential accommodation to address the increasing demand for temporary accommodation and reduce associated costs. This involves establishing a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) to secure financing from institutional investors, such as pension funds. An initial capital budget of up to £5 million has been allocated from the capital programme contingency for property purchases. The LLP will select a funder and a registered provider, with the aim of securing GLA Grant Funding. Any potential deals will require further Cabinet approval before proceeding.

Minutes of Other Bodies

The minutes of other bodies were noted by the Cabinet.

Significant and Delegated Actions

The significant and delegated actions were noted by the Cabinet.