The Full Council meeting scheduled for Monday 16 March 2026 was set to cover a range of important topics, including the council's annual carbon report, the budget for the upcoming financial year, and motions addressing poverty and community solidarity. The meeting's agenda also included a series of questions from councillors to cabinet members on various council services and initiatives.

Fifteenth Annual Carbon Report

The meeting was scheduled to consider the Fifteenth Annual Carbon Report (2025) ¹. This report outlines the progress made towards the council's commitment to become a Net Zero Carbon Borough by 2041 and a Net Zero Carbon Council by 2027. The report details borough-wide carbon emission data for 2023 and the council's corporate emissions for 2024/25. It also covers the progress of carbon reduction projects funded by Section 106 carbon offset contributions. The report notes a 26% reduction in borough-wide emissions since 2015, with a 6% drop in the last year, though this is still below the target needed for the 2041 net zero goal. Corporate emissions have reduced by 66% since 2014/15. The report also details the investment of £2.23 million from Haringey's Carbon Offset Fund across seven programmes aimed at cutting emissions and delivering wider benefits. A key recommendation was to publish this report and agree to a community outreach plan to co-design future reporting formats, aiming for a more accessible and visually engaging report by March 2027.

Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the 2026/27 Budget and the 2026/2031 Medium Term Financial Strategy ². This included a debate and vote on the council's element of the Council Tax, with an proposed increase of 2.99% plus an additional 2% for the Adult Social Care Precept. The report detailed the General Fund budget requirement for 2026/27 and the Capital Programme for 2026-2031. It also covered the Treasury Management Strategy Statement for 2026/27 and the Minimum Revenue Provision policy. The council's statutory duty to set a balanced budget by 11 March each year was highlighted.

Motions on Tackling Poverty and Support for the Together Alliance

Two motions were scheduled for consideration.

Motion G: Tackling Poverty in Haringey

Proposed by Councillor Mary Mason and seconded by Councillor Mark Blake, this motion noted the significant levels of poverty and inequality within Haringey, including high unemployment rates, bailiff-led repossessions, and a substantial proportion of residents experiencing food insecurity and living below the London Living Wage. It highlighted that systemic racism contributes to poverty among Black residents and that approximately 3,000 families are living in temporary accommodation. The motion stated that these conditions are neither fair nor acceptable. The council was asked to resolve to appoint a Poverty Commissioner to convene a group of residents with lived experience of poverty to report on current issues, identify necessary changes, and bring their findings to a dedicated Full Council meeting.

Motion H: Support for the Together Alliance

Proposed by Councillor Lucia das Neves and seconded by Councillor Seema Chandwani, this motion addressed the growing voices of division and divisive and racist rhetoric in the country. It noted that these false promises often scapegoat vulnerable communities. The motion affirmed the council's belief in London as a diverse city and the strength found in solidarity. The council was asked to resolve to renew its commitment as a Borough of Welcome, endorse the Together Alliance's message of hope over fear, and continue working with community networks to challenge national narratives of division and discrimination.

Questions to Cabinet Members

A series of questions were scheduled to be asked by councillors to cabinet members, covering a range of council services and initiatives:

• Councillor Barnes to Councillor das Neves (Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care, and Wellbeing): A question regarding the council's revised target time for acting upon safeguarding referrals, following concerns about unactioned safeguarding emails.
• Councillor Carroll to Councillor Williams (Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning): An inquiry into the importance of good quality council homes, in the context of Haringey's significant council house building programme.
• Councillor Emery to Councillor Williams: A question concerning reports of empty council houses that had not been re-tenanted due to not being referred to the voids team, and how the council fails to be aware of vacant properties.
• Councillor O'Donovan to Councillor Ali (Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Environment): An inquiry into the steps the council has taken to make Haringey a greener borough.
• Councillor Cawley-Harrison to Councillor Gordon (Cabinet Member for Placemaking, and Local Economy): A question regarding the future plans for Hornsey Town Hall, following its restoration, and concerns over limited activity, outstanding fit-out, and a potential sale.
• Councillor Amin to Councillor Brabazon (Cabinet Member for Children, Schools & Families): A question about how the council has improved the lives of children and young people in Haringey.
• Councillor Collett to Councillor Brabazon: A question regarding Haringey Council's plans for specialist training and full-time contracts for Teaching Assistants to support SEND children, in light of national concerns about TA shortages and proposed reforms.
• Councillor Lawton to Councillor Arkell (Cabinet Member for Culture & Leisure): A question about how the council is improving parks and play areas across the borough.
• Councillor Dogan to Councillor das Neves: A question about how the new Roger Sylvester Centre, a community mental health hub, will improve mental health support in Haringey.