Councillor Arjun Mittra

Council - Tuesday 15th October, 2024 7.00 pm

The meeting began with a series of speeches on the topic of Black History Month and then moved on to approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 9 July 2024, note the contents of a number of reports, appoint new officers, and approve a new constitution for the council. Two motions were debated and voted on: a motion to celebrate the achievements of the Labour administration, which was carried, and a motion to regret the government's decision to means-test Winter Fuel Allowance, which was lost.

Governance, Audit, Risk Management and Standards Committee (GARMS) - Monday 7th October, 2024 7.00 pm

The committee noted the Quarterly Risks Report (Q1 2024/25) and the Treasury Management Performance Update - Q1 2024/25. The committee also noted the 2023/24 - Corporate Complaints and Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) Annual Report and the report on Complaints About Councillors April 2023 - March 2024. They noted the Internal Audit Exception Recommendations Report and Q1 Progress Report 9th May 2024 to 30th June 2024 and discussed the progress of the 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23 external audits. They noted the 2023/24 external audit progress report and discussed their forward work programme.

East Area Committee - Monday 23rd September, 2024 7.00 pm

The East Area Committee approved funding for the Church Lane Community Garden. The Committee deferred decisions on funding applications for pavement renewal works at Hayes Crescent and the development of an inclusive playground at New Southgate Recreation Ground.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Wednesday 18th September, 2024 7.00 pm

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee noted the Council Tax Support Scheme.

Cabinet - Tuesday 17th September, 2024 7.00 pm, NEW

The meeting began with a discussion on the council's financial position. Councillor Peter Zinkin raised concerns about the council's finances, referring to an in-year recovery plan that he said had appeared out of nowhere . Councillor Ammar Naqvi, Cabinet Member for Financial Sustainability and Reducing Poverty, responded to Councillor Zinkin's concerns. He stated that the plan had come about as a result of extensive discussions with officers and cabinet members over the course of August, where in quite excruciating detail, disgust [sic] why spend was happening at all . He added that the council is committed to dealing with its finances responsibly and would soon be able to present a fully costed recovery plan. Councillor Zingavala also raised concerns about the council's HMO licensing scheme. He argued that the council seemed to be more interested in making money from the scheme than ensuring that the quality of HMO accommodation is good. Councillor Geofree Perrin, Cabinet Member for Housing, Economy and Placemaking, responded that this is not the case. He explained that the council has to ensure that the scheme covers its costs, but that the team also provides a valuable service to landlords and tenants by ensuring that shared accommodation is safe and well-managed.