The Cabinet of Enfield Council met on Wednesday 11 March 2026 to discuss and approve several key strategies and plans. Decisions made included the approval of the Council Housing Service Plan for 2026/2027, the Digital Services Portfolio for 2026/2027, an updated Corporate Complaints Policy, the Exempt Supported Accommodation Strategy, and the Crisis and Resilience Fund distribution. The Cabinet also approved the SSCB Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy 2026-35.

SSCB Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy 2026-35

The Cabinet approved the Enfield Safer Stronger Communities Board Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy 2026-35. This ten-year strategy, developed with input from survivors and partner agencies, aims to create a borough where all residents live free from domestic abuse and violence against women and girls. It adopts a public health approach, focusing on prevention, response to immediate risk, and long-term support. The strategy outlines four key priorities: supporting victims and survivors, understanding and tackling root causes, responding to evolving forms of harassment and violence, and holding perpetrators accountable. The strategy aligns with national and London-wide commitments to address violence against women and girls and has undergone an Equalities Impact Assessment¹ to ensure it considers the needs of all protected groups.

Digital Services Portfolio - 26/27

The Cabinet agreed to the Council's digital investment portfolio for 2026/2027, allocating £6.6 million to support the Council's Digital, Data and AI Strategy. This investment will fund projects aimed at improving resident access to services, enabling more efficient and responsive services, and utilising data for informed decision-making. Key projects include the modernisation of the planning system, foundational infrastructure upgrades, cyber security enhancements, and the development of a data platform. The investment is funded through a combination of capital receipts, capital budgets, and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) funding. An Equalities Impact Assessment² was completed, concluding that individual projects within the portfolio will undergo their own assessments to ensure accessibility and inclusivity.

Corporate Complaints Policy

An updated Corporate Complaints Policy was approved by the Cabinet. This revision ensures compliance with the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman's Complaints Handling Code, which will be enforced from April 2026, and incorporates feedback from the Housing Ombudsman. A key change is the reduction of the investigation timeframe for Stage 2 complaints from 30 to 20 working days. The policy aims to ensure complaints are handled consistently, fairly, and effectively, with a focus on organisational learning and service improvement. The policy is expected to have a neutral impact on all protected groups, with provisions for assistance to those who have difficulty accessing the complaints process.

Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF)

The Cabinet agreed to the distribution of the £7.4 million annual Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) for the period of 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029. This fund replaces and combines the Household Support Fund and Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs). The allocation prioritises support for low-income households facing acute hardship and aims to build resilience against future shocks. The distribution includes significant allocations for Council Tax Support Hardship Fund, application-based support for essentials like food and energy, care leaver support, rent deposits, and housing costs for families with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF). The fund also supports community coordination services, information and advice, and advocacy. An Equalities Impact Assessment³ was completed, identifying positive impacts for multiple age groups, disabled residents, and those experiencing socio-economic deprivation, with mitigating actions in place to ensure accessibility.

Council Housing Service Plan 2026/2027

The Cabinet approved the Council Housing Service Plan for 2026/2027. This plan builds on the service's high C1 rating from the Regulator of Social Housing and aims to further improve homes and services for tenants. It addresses key areas such as tenant involvement, safety and quality, tenancy standards, neighbourhood and community improvements, and capacity building. The plan incorporates feedback from tenants and the Enfield 500 scrutiny group, with a particular focus on improving communication. The Tenant Satisfaction Measures⁴ for 2025/26 showed an overall satisfaction rate of 60%, with improvements noted in most areas, although communication remains a key focus for further development. An Equalities Impact Assessment⁵ concluded that the plan is expected to have a positive impact on all council housing residents.

Exempt Supported Accommodation Strategy

The Cabinet approved the Exempt Supported Accommodation Strategy and its associated Commissioning Framework. This strategy aims to raise standards in exempt supported accommodation, meet local needs, and reduce reliance on expensive temporary accommodation. It introduces a commissioning framework with minimum standards for providers to achieve preferred provider status and an investment of £648,000 over 12 months to secure additional exempt supported accommodation lets. This investment is projected to deliver significant cost savings to the council by preventing and relieving homelessness. The strategy aligns with the Council's Homelessness Prevention Strategy and prepares Enfield for the implementation of the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023. An Equalities Impact Assessment⁶ was completed, indicating a broadly positive impact across all protected groups, with specific attention to mitigating risks for vulnerable individuals.