The Cabinet of Haringey Council met on Tuesday, 9th December 2025, to discuss and approve several key policies and financial updates. Significant decisions included the adoption of new policies on Anti-Social Behaviour and Good Neighbourhood Management, a comprehensive update on the 2025/26 finances, and the approval of contracts for housing asset management and disrepair works. The meeting also addressed the council's Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Action Plan, housing support services, and plans for new council homes.

Adopting a New Anti-Social Behaviour Policy

The Cabinet adopted a new Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Policy, which will come into effect from 23 December 2025. This policy aims to provide a clear and accessible framework for tackling ASB across Haringey, applying to all residents, businesses, and visitors. It reflects the Council's commitment to fostering safe and harmonious communities and helps the Council meet the Social Housing Regulator's consumer standards, specifically the Neighbourhood and Community Standard. The Director of Environment, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Communities, will have delegated authority to make future modifications to the policy as required by legal or regulatory changes. The alternative of continuing with an outdated ASB policy was rejected as it would not meet the Council's or residents' needs and would fail to align with commitments in the Housing Strategy 2024–2029 and the Housing Improvement Plan 2023.

2025/26 Finance Update Quarter 2

The Cabinet received an update on the council's financial position for the 2025/26 financial year, noting a forecast total revenue outturn variance for the General Fund of £23.4 million. This variance is comprised of £14.72 million in base budget pressures and £8.7 million from the non-delivery of savings. The council also noted a net deficit forecast of £3.1 million for the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) and a net underspend of £514,000 for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA). The forecast for General Fund and HRA Capital expenditure was £441.4 million, representing 85% of the revised budget for the second quarter. The Cabinet approved revenue budget virements and the receipt of grants, as well as proposed budget adjustments and virements to the capital programme. They also noted debt write-offs approved in Quarter 2 and the decision not to participate in the 8 Authority Pool during the 2026/27 financial year. The report highlighted that a strong financial management framework is essential for delivering the council’s priorities and meeting statutory duties, particularly given the uncertainties surrounding the council's challenging financial position, which is impacted by government funding, high demand for services, and the wider economic outlook, leading to an ongoing reliance on Exceptional Financial Support.

Housing Asset Management Multi-Disciplinary Consultants Contracts

The Cabinet approved the provisional award of Multi-Disciplinary Consultants (MDC) Contracts across four geographical lots to four separate successful bidders. These contracts are for a period of 12 years with a 5-year break clause. Following this provisional award, a second stage of Section 20 consultation will take place. The award of these contracts supports the strategy approved in July 2022, 'Partnering Contracts Strategy for Housing Major Works,' which identified long-term contracts as the best way to support the major works programme and address decency issues. Key objectives include ensuring all stock meets the Decent Homes Standard, achieving a minimum EPC B rating for all Council-owned homes by 2035, maintaining statutory safety standards, and providing employment and training opportunities. The MDC contracts will support the delivery of housing capital investment works, including Decent Homes-related works, building safety, block refurbishment, mechanical and electrical works, decarbonisation, and estate improvements. The procurement process involved Haringey’s Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS). Alternative options considered included continuing to procure MDC services individually, retaining the existing framework agreement, or delivering services in-house, which was deemed not viable due to a lack of staffing structure and expertise.

Disrepair New Contract Procurement

The Cabinet approved the commencement of a procurement exercise to secure two contracts for the provision of repair works related to legal disrepair claims. These contracts will be for an initial period of three years, with up to two further one-year extensions, totalling a maximum of five years. The decision was made to maintain continuity of high-frequency repairs in disrepair cases, which is crucial for reducing legal costs. The procurement ensures Haringey Council can appropriately manage future caseloads and prevent residents from living in properties in a state of disrepair, which poses risks to health and wellbeing and could lead to financial and reputational damage for the Council. Alternative options considered were to do nothing, which would leave ongoing legal cases without the necessary facilities, or to utilise the Direct Labour Organisation (DLO). The latter was rejected as the DLO is already under significant pressure with its Responsive Repairs Service, and the nature and scale of disrepair claims are more appropriately handled by external contractors.

Haringey's Climate Change Adaptation & Resilience Action (CCARA) Plan

The Cabinet approved the draft 'Haringey Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Action Plan' to come into effect from January 2026. This plan will accompany Haringey’s Climate Change Action Plan and aims to make the borough more resilient to the worsening effects of climate change. The plan notes the progress Haringey has made in tackling the climate emergency and highlights the need for further cross-sector collaboration to ensure accountability and commitment. Funding for adaptation and retrofit projects comes from various streams, including the Section 106 Carbon Offsetting Fund, UK Shared Prosperity Funding, and the Capital Programme Fund. The Cabinet acknowledged the significant cost of addressing climate change adaptation and resilience, the even greater cost of inaction, and the current shortfall in funding and resources. The decision to develop this plan is in response to recommendations from the National Adaptation Programme (NAP3) and the London Climate Resilience Review, and is supported by local events such as flash flooding in 2021 and the effects of Summer 2022, which highlighted the impact of a changing climate. Risks such as 'Flooding,' 'Drought,' and 'Heatwave' are rated Very High on the Haringey Borough Risk Register. The plan is also an activity within Haringey’s Corporate Delivery Plan 2024–2026.

Housing Related Support Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Pathway

The Cabinet approved the award of contracts for Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) support services to successful tenderers. These contracts will run for six years, from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2032, with a total maximum value of £3,029,958 across three separate contracts. The Cabinet delegated authority to the Corporate Director of Adults, Housing and Health to consider and approve inflationary increases to the contract for Years 4 to 6, capped at the annual rate of increase in the London Living Wage. Contract pricing will remain fixed for the initial three years. The provision of Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) coordination will be brought in-house from April 2026. No bids were received for the LGBTQ+ Independent Domestic Violence and Advocacy (IDVA) Service (Lot 3), and tenders for Generalist Refuge Accommodation (Lot 4) and Domestic and Gender-Based Abuse Prevention and Support for Children and Young People (Lot 6) did not meet the evaluation criteria. The decision to award these contracts is based on the need to support victim/survivors and their children experiencing domestic abuse, providing community-based IDVA support, emergency accommodation, and prevention education. The alternative of delivering services in-house was rejected as it could jeopardise victim/survivor engagement and the Council lacks the infrastructure and expertise for culturally appropriate 'by and for' services. The Do Nothing option was discounted due to the Council's statutory duty to provide safe accommodation and support. A hybrid model was considered, but the decision was made to insource MARAC coordination.

Stamford Hill Primary School Added to the New Homes Programme

The Cabinet approved the addition of the former Stamford Hill Primary School site to the Council’s Housing Delivery Programme. This decision supports Haringey Council's corporate priority to deliver 3,000 new genuinely affordable Council homes by 2031. The site presents an opportunity to provide much-needed affordable housing and potentially more bespoke homes for vulnerable residents, alongside community-wide improvements. The Council has already completed 797 council homes as part of this programme, with a focus on sustainability and community benefits such as new health centres and playgrounds. The alternative of not including the site in the programme or disposing of it to a private developer was rejected as it would undermine the Council's housing delivery targets and potentially reduce the number of affordable homes built.

Housing Revenue Account 2026/27

The Cabinet noted the Housing Revenue Account's (HRA) current financial position, which forms the basis for the full draft budget for 2026/27 and the 2026/27–2030/31 Business Plan. The final HRA 2026/27 Budget and Business Plan will be presented to Cabinet on 10 February 2026 for recommendation to the Full Council meeting on 2 March 2026. The Council is legally required to set a balanced HRA budget and have a sustainable HRA Business Plan to manage and maintain its homes, provide services to tenants and leaseholders, and build new Council homes. No alternative options were considered for this item.

Adopting a New Good Neighbourhood Management Policy

The Cabinet adopted a new Good Neighbourhood Management Policy, which will come into effect from 23 December 2025. This policy outlines the Council's approach to tenancy management for Council tenants and their households, helping the Council meet the Social Housing Regulator’s consumer standards, specifically the Tenancy Standard and the Transparency, Influence and Accountability Standard. The Director of Housing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, will have delegated authority to make future modifications to the policy. The alternative of continuing without a policy was rejected as it would not meet the Council's or tenants' needs and would not align with the Council's commitments in the Housing Strategy 2024 and the Housing Improvement Plan 2023.

Fees and Charges - 2026/27

The Cabinet agreed to the proposed non-statutory fees and charges to be levied by the Council with effect from 1 April 2026. They also noted the statutory fees and charges and that the Council’s draft 2026/27 Budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) 2026/27–2030/31 assume these changes are agreed. Authority was delegated to the Director of Corporate Resources, in consultation with the Member for Finance and Corporate Services, to make any subsequent in-year changes or additions to the fees and charges. The Head of Highways and Parking was also delegated authority to carry out statutory consultations regarding proposed changes to charges and parking policy, make necessary traffic management orders, and decide whether to proceed with, modify, or refer matters to Cabinet. The review of fees and charges is a requirement under the Council’s Income Policy, particularly important given the ongoing financial challenges.

Tower Gardens - Major Works

The Cabinet approved the award of a contract to Tenderer A for the Tower Gardens Major Works Programme, with a total contract sum of £3,399,871.00. They also approved the expenditure of sums as set out in the exempt report and the issuance of a letter of intent for £339,987.00 to allow the contractor to commence the project. The decision was based on feasibility and condition surveys that identified structural movement as the predominant concern. The scope of works includes structural repairs, roof coverings, rainwater goods, fabric repairs, window and door replacements, fencing renewal, and pathway levelling. Fire safety upgrades and energy efficiency improvements are also incorporated. The programme aims to minimise future costs and has involved resident engagement. The properties are located within the Tower Gardens Conservation Area, requiring sensitive design. The project aligns with the Council’s Housing Delivery Programme and Housing Asset Management Strategy. The alternative of Do Nothing was rejected due to the Council's responsibility to maintain its housing stock and the risk of reputational damage and financial consequences. Including the project within the partnering contracts was ruled out due to the urgency of the works and the risk of further deterioration if delayed.