Agenda, decisions and draft minutes
Venue: The Council Chamber, 1st Floor, Town Hall, Mulberry Place, 5 Clove Crescent, London, E14 2BG
Contact: John S Williams, Service Head, Democratic Services Tel: 020 7364 4204, E-mail: johns.williams@towerhamlets.gov.uk
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TO ELECT A MAYOR OF THE BOROUGH TO HOLD OFFICE UNTIL THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL IN 2009 (Note: Section 8 and Schedule 2 of the Local Government Act, 1972 provide that the election of Mayor shall be the first item of business transacted at the Annual Meeting of the Council and that in the case of an equality of votes, the person presiding at the meeting shall give a casting vote in addition to any other s/he may have.) Decision: DECISION
Councillor Mohammed Abdus Salique elected Mayor until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2009.
(Action by Service Head Democratic Services) Minutes: Councillor Ann Jackson addressed the meeting about her year of office. She expressed her pride and gratitude at having the opportunity to represent the borough and people of Tower Hamlets and thanked Members and officers for their support. During Councillor Jackson’s year of office she had raised £35,000 for each of her two charities, the Tower Project and The Bethnal Green Tube Disaster Memorial Fund.
Councillor Denise Jones paid tribute to Councillor Jackson on behalf of the Council, and Councillors Stephanie Eaton, Peter Golds, Oliur Rahman and Shahed Ali also addressed the meeting about her year in office and echoed Councillors Jones’ comments.
Moved by Councillor Denise Jones, Seconded by Councillor Sirajul Islam and
RESOLVED that Councillor Mohammed Abdus Salique be elected as Mayor until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2009.
The Mayor, Councillor Mohammed Abdus Salique in the Chair.
The incoming Mayor then addressed the meeting. He paid tribute to Councillor Jackson and thanked Members of the Council for their support. The Mayor then set out his proposed programme for the year, together with details of the charities he would be supporting during his mayoralty, the Asian Parents Association for Special Educational Needs in Tower Hamlets (APASENTH) and the Child Concern Consortium (CCC).
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TO ELECT A DEPUTY MAYOR OF THE BOROUGH TO HOLD OFFICE UNTIL THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL IN 2009 Decision: DECISION
Councillor Ahmed Omer elected as Deputy Mayor until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2009.
(Action by Service Head Democratic Services)
Minutes: Moved by Councillor Denise Jones, Seconded by Councillor Sirajul Islam and RESOLVED
That Councillor Ahmed Omer be elected as Deputy Mayor until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2009.
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE To receive any apologies for absence. Decision: Apologies for lateness were received from Councillor Rupert Bawden
DECISION
That the apologies for lateness be noted.
Minutes: No apologies for absence were received.
Apologies for lateness were received from Councillor Rupert Bawden.
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DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST PDF 18 KB To note any declarations of interest made by Members, including those restricting Members from voting on the questions detailed in Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act, 1992. See attached note from the Chief Executive.
Decision: No declarations of interest were made. Minutes: No declarations of interest were made.
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To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Council held on 23rd April 2008. Decision: DECISION
That the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on Wednesday 23 April 2008 be confirmed as a correct record of the proceedings and the Mayor be authorised to sign them accordingly.
(Action by Service Head Democratic Services)
Minutes: RESOLVED
That the minutes of the Council meeting held on Wednesday 23 April 2008 be confirmed as a correct record of the proceedings and the Mayor be authorised to sign them accordingly.
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TO RECEIVE ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE MAYOR OR THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE Decision: Please see the minutes.
Minutes: Election of new Councillors
On behalf of Members the Mayor welcomed to the meeting new Councillors Fazlul Haque and David Snowdon who had been elected at the by-elections on 1 May to represent Weavers and Millwall Wards respectively.
Young Mayor/Deputy Young Mayors
The Mayor also congratulated the new Young Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Akram Hussain on his appointment and welcomed his two deputies Alex Kuye and Faiza Mukeith to the meeting. All had been elected by young people of the Borough in the recent elections.
Burma cyclone
The Mayor asked that the Council join him in expressing sympathy for the dreadful suffering experienced by the people of Burma following the recent cyclone which had left an estimated 32,000 people dead and hundreds of thousands homeless. Tower Hamlets Muslim Staff Forum had organised a fundraising effort and volunteers would be collecting during the evening.
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TO ELECT THE LEADER AND DEPUTY LEADER OF THE COUNCIL Decision: DECISION
1) Councillor Lutfur Rahman elected as Leader of the Council, until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2009; and
2) Councillor Sirajul Islam elected as Deputy Leader of the Council, until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2009
(Action by Service Head Democratic Services)
Minutes: (a) Election of Leader
Councillor Denise Jones addressed the meeting and referred to some of the successes and achievements of the borough and of the Council and the Tower Hamlets Partnership during her two years as Leader of the Council. Councillor Jones expressed her pride at having the opportunity to serve the people of Tower Hamlets in that capacity and thanked Members and officers for their support.
Moved by Councillor Denise Jones and Seconded by Councillor Carli Harper-Penman that Councillor Lutfur Rahman be nominated to serve as Leader of the Council.
Moved as an amendment by Councillor Peter Golds and Seconded by Councillor Shirley Houghton that, in accordance with Procedure Rules 14.1.14 and 27, the Council Procedure Rules be suspended to enable a secret ballot to be held for the appointment of the Leader of the Council.
The Service Head, Democratic Services advised that Council Procedure Rule 17.3, which required the Mayor to take the vote by a show of hands or recorded vote, was not one of the Procedure Rules that could be suspended under Rule 27 and the amendment proposed could therefore not stand.
Moved by Councillor Shirley Houghton and Seconded by Councillor Peter Golds that Councillor Denise Jones be nominated to serve as Leader of the Council.
Councillor Denise Jones declined to stand for election.
The Mayor then put the remaining nomination to the vote and it was
RESOLVED that Councillor Lutfur Rahman be elected as Leader of the Council until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2009.
Councillor Lutfur Rahman thanked the Members of the Council. He stated that he was honoured to be elected as Leader of the Authority and looked forward to carrying out his duties and responsibilities on behalf of the people of Tower Hamlets, working with Councillors and officers of the Authority to the benefit of the borough.
Councillor Rahman thanked the outgoing Mayor for her tireless work on behalf of the borough over the past year and congratulated Councillor Salique and Councillor Omer on their election as Mayor and Deputy Mayor respectively for 2008/09.
Finally Councillor Rahman thanked Councillor Denise Jones for her nomination and for her work over the past two years as Leader of the Council. Councillor Rahman was pleased to inform Members that Councillor Jones had accepted his invitation to assist him as required as a Champion for the Olympics in the borough in the lead up to 2012.
(b) Election of Deputy Leader
Moved by Councillor Lutfur Rahman and Seconded by Councillor Carli Harper-Penman that Councillor Sirajul Islam be nominated to serve as Deputy Leader of the Council.
Moved by Councillor Peter Golds and Seconded by Councillor Shirley Houghton that Councillor Helal Abbas be nominated to serve as Deputy Leader of the Council.
Councillor Helal Abbas declined to stand for election.
The Mayor then put the remaining nomination to the vote and it was
RESOLVED that Councillor Sirajul Islam be elected as Deputy Leader of the Council until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2009. ... view the full minutes text for item 7. |
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TO APPOINT MEMBERS TO THE CABINET PDF 15 KB Decision: DECISION
Cabinet to comprise 10 Members and those Members with the allocated portfolios, as set out in the attached schedule (Appendix A) be appointed thereto.
(Action by Service Head Democratic Services).
Minutes: The Chief Executive tabled a report which informed the Council of the proposed appointment of Cabinet Members for the municipal year 2008/2009 together with allocated portfolios.
Moved by Councillor Lutfur Rahman, Seconded by Councillor Sirajul Islam and
RESOLVED that the Cabinet comprise 10 Members and those Members with the allocated portfolios, as set out below be appointed thereto.
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REVIEW OF THE CONSTITUTION PDF 51 KB To consider the recommendations of the Constitution Working Party for amendments to the Council’s Constitution – report of the Assistant Chief Executive attached. Decision: DECISION
1) That the proposed revisions to the Constitution as set out in the schedules attached (Appendix B and Appendix C) be agreed; and
2) That the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Members’ Allowances Scheme be amended with effect from 21st May 2008 as follows:
(i) Delete existing ‘Leader of the Opposition’ and ‘Deputy Leader of the Opposition’ Special Responsibility Allowances (SRAs) and introduce a new banded SRA payable to the Leader of each minority group which has at least 10% of the Council Members as follows:
- Leader of group with over 6 Cllrs: £7320 pa; - Leader of group with up to 6 Cllrs: £3960 pa
(ii) Increase Mayor’s Allowance to £8,069 (equivalent to a non-executive Committee Chair).
(iii) Increase maximum hourly rate payable under Child/Dependent Care Allowances from Minimum Wage (currently £5.35 per hour) to £7.00 per hour; and that this figure then be reviewed annually in line with the Local Government Staff Pay Settlement.
Minutes: The Council considered the report setting out the recommendations of the Constitution Working Party for amendments to the Constitution. The Deputy Leader, Councillor Sirajul Islam, thanked the Leaders of the opposition groups and other Councillors for their contribution to the work of the Working Party.
Moved by Councillor Sirajul Islam, Seconded by Councillor Lutfur Rahman and
RESOLVED
1) That the proposed revisions to the Constitution as set out in the schedules attached (Appendix A and Appendix B) be agreed; and
2) That the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Members’ Allowances Scheme be amended with effect from 21st May 2008 as follows:
(i) Delete existing ‘Leader of the Opposition’ and ‘Deputy Leader of the Opposition’ Special Responsibility Allowances (SRAs) and introduce a new banded SRA payable to the Leader of each minority group which has at least 10% of the Council Members as follows:
- Leader of group with over 6 Councillors: £7320 pa; - Leader of group with up to 6 Councillors: £3960 pa
(ii) Increase Mayor’s Allowance to £8,069 (equivalent to a non-executive Committee Chair).
(iii) Increase maximum hourly rate payable under Child/Dependent Care Allowances from Minimum Wage (currently £5.35 per hour) to £7.00 per hour; and that this figure then be reviewed annually in line with the Local Government Staff Pay Settlement.
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REVIEW OF PROPORTIONALITY AND ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMITTEES/PANELS OF THE COUNCIL Decision: DECISIONS
1) That the review of proportionality be noted;and
2) That the Committees and Panels be established for the Municipal Year 2008/09, and the proposed allocation of places be agreed as set out below.
(a) Committees/panels covered by the requirement for proportionality:
(b) Committee not covered by the requirement for proportionality:
Note: The Council did not make a direction as to any change to the arrangements for the provision of Political Advisor Posts.
(Action by Service Head Democratic Services).
Minutes: The Chief Executive tabled an addendum report which reviewed proportionality as required by sections 15-17 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and which also set out the Committees and Panels to be established for the Municipal Year 2008/09.
Moved by Councillor Lutfur Rahman and Seconded by Councillor Sirajul Islam and
RESOLVED
1) That the review of proportionality be noted;and
2) That the Committees and Panels be established for the Municipal Year 2008/09, and the proposed allocation of places be agreed as set out below.
(a) Committees/panels covered by the requirement for proportionality:
(b) Committee not covered by the requirement for proportionality:
[Note: The Council did not make a direction as to any change to the arrangements for the provision of Political Advisor Posts.]
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APPOINTMENT TO COMMITTEES/PANELS OF THE COUNCIL PDF 47 KB Decision: DECISION
Those Members and Deputies be appointed to the various bodies as set out in the attached amended schedule (Appendix D) for the Municipal Year 2008/2009.
(Action by Service Head Democratic Services).
Minutes: The Chief Executive tabled a report which informed the Council of the nominations received from the political groups on the Council for membership of Committees/Panels of the Authority for the municipal year 2008/2009.
Councillor Lutfur Rahman notified the meeting of an amendment to the nominations tabled – Councillor Fazlul Haque replacing Cllr Mohammed Shahid Ali as a Labour Group nomination to the Development Committee.
Moved by Councillor Lutfur Rahman, Seconded by Councillor Sirajul Islam and
RESOLVED
1) That those Members and Deputies be appointed to the various bodies as set out in the attached amended schedule (Appendix C) for the Municipal Year 2008/2009;
2) That the following Independent Members be re-appointed to the Standards Committee for the municipal year 2008/09:
Mr Satnam Bains; Ms Suzette Barry; Mr Patrick O’Connor (Chair); Sister Christine Frost; and Mr Muhammad Habibur Rahman
3) That the following persons be appointed as new Independent Members of the Standards Committee, to serve until 20th May 2011 subject to confirmation on a yearly basis at the Annual Council Meeting:
Mr Ibrahim Ali; and Mr Eric Pemberton
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APPOINTMENT OF REPRESENTATIVES TO LONDON COUNCILS FORUMS AND OTHER BODIES Decision: DECISION
That the Members and Deputies be nominated to the various bodies of London Councils as per the attached schedule (Appendix E).
(Action by Service Head Democratic Services)
Minutes: The meeting considered a report which requested the Council to make nominations nominations to a number of London Councils Member bodies. London Councils had requested the Council to submit its nominations by 1 June 2008 which precluded consideration by the General Purposes Committee.
The Chief Executive tabled an addendum report setting out the nominations received.
Moved by Councillor Lutfur Rahman and Seconded by Councillor Sirajul Islam:-
That the Members and Deputies be nominated to the various bodies of London Councils as per the attached schedule (Appendix D).
Moved as an amendment by Councillor Peter Golds and Seconded by Councillor Tim Archer:-
That Councillors be nominated as follows to the bodies listed:
Councillor Philip Briscoe to the Crime and Public Protection Forum; Councillor Oliur Rahman to the Greater London Employment Forum; Councillor Ahmed Hussain to the Black and Minority Ethnic Councillors’ Network; Councillor Dr Emma Jones to the Women Councillors’ Network; and Councillor Shirley Houghton to the London Irish Councillors’ Network.
Councillor Oliur Rahman declined to stand for election to the Greater London Employment Forum.
In relation to the Black and Minority Ethnic Councillors’ Network, the Women Councillors’ Network and the London Irish Councillors’ Network, the Service Head, Democratic Services advised that no vote was required as the networks in question were open to all Councillors who wished to participate and the names of the Councillors nominated would be submitted as requested.
In relation to the Crime and Public Protection Forum the Mayor informed Members that as there were two competing nominations – Councillor Abdal Ullah and Councillor Philip Briscoe – in accordance with the Procedure Rules the Council would vote on each nomination in turn, in the order that they were made, until the position was filled.
The nomination of Councillor Abdal Ullah was first put to the vote and was AGREED
The Mayor then put the substantive motion to the vote and it was RESOLVED that the Members and Deputies be nominated to the various bodies of London Councils as per the attached schedule (Appendix D).
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