The Speaker of the Council, Councillor Ayas Miah in the Chair

During the meeting, the Council agreed to vary the order of business. To aid clarity, the Minutes are presented in the order that the items originally appeared on the agenda. The order the business was taken in at the meeting was as follows:

• Item 1 - Apologies for absence.
• Item 2 – Declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests.
• Item 3 – Minutes.

·         Item 14.1 – Urgent Motion regarding the terror attack in New Zealand

• Item 4 – Announcements.
• Item 5.3 - Petition calling on the Council to declare a Climate Emergency and become carbon neutral by 2025.
• Item 5.1 – Petition regarding the A12
• Item 5.2 -  Petition regarding New Providence Wharf Cladding
• Item 7 – Young Mayor’s Update.

·         Item 6 - Mayor’s Report.

·         Item 8 – Administration Motion Debate.

·         Item 9 – Opposition Motion Debate.

• Item 10 – Members Questions.

·         Item 11 – Reports from the Executive and the Council’s Committees

·         Item 12 – Other Business.

·         Item 13.1 - Motion regarding the All Party Parliamentary Group working definition of Islamaphobia.

The Speaker stated that everyone was shocked and saddened by the appalling events in New Zealand last Friday. On behalf of the Council, he stated that they stood together in solidarity with those affected by the events and expressed condemnation to those who carried out such acts. The Council’s thoughts and prayers were with all those affected by the tragic events. 

The Council then rose to observe a minutes silence to remember those affected by the atrocity.

Procedural Motion

Mayor John Biggs moved and Councillor Asma Begum seconded, a procedural motion “that under Procedure Rule 14.1.5, Rule 13.1 be suspended to enable an urgent motion regarding the terrorist attacks in New Zealand to be considered”. The procedural motion was put to the vote and was agreed.

The Speaker of the Council brought the Council up to date with some of his activities since the previous Council meeting. This included:

·         A commemorative event marking Martyr’s Day and International Mother Language Day at Altab Ali Park.

·         Travelling to Bangladesh to meet local representatives and the Prime Minister, promoting relations with the Borough.

·         Accompanying fellow civic head on the annual London Mayor’s Walk.

·         Awards Ceremonies in the Borough.

·         Carrying out preparations for yesterday’s final fundraising event that was a great success. The Speaker thanked everyone who participated in this.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of:

·         Councillor Sufia Alam

·         Councillor Amina Ali

·         Councillor Abdul Mukit MBE

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 Monitoring Officer.

The following Councillors declared an interest that must be registered (Other Interests) in Agenda Item 5.1, Petition regarding the A12 on the grounds they had interests in property situated close to the A12.

•              Councillor Asma Islam

•              Councillor Helal Uddin

•              Councillor Motin Uz – Zaman.

The following Councillors declared an interest that must be registered (Other Interests) in Agenda item 10.12, a Member Question regarding business rates on the grounds of their employment.

·         Councillor Denise Jones

·         Councillor Ayas Miah

·         Councillor Harun Miah

To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the:

·         Ordinary Council Meeting held on Wednesday 23 January 2019.

·         Budget Council Meeting held on Wednesday 20 February 2019.

RESOLVED:

1.         That the unrestricted minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on Wednesday 23 January 2019  and the Budget Council Meeting held on Wednesday 20 February 2019 be confirmed as a correct record subject to minor amendments in respect of recorded votes cast and the Speaker be authorised to sign them accordingly.

The Speaker paid tribute to Liam Kane, the former Chief Executive of the East London Business Alliance who had sadly passed away. He would be remembered for his passion for supporting the local community, helping young people and tackling equality. He passed on the Council’s condolences to his family and friends.

The Chief Executive was pleased to report the following success stories:

• The Violence Against Women and Girls, Domestic Abuse and Hate Crime Team had been awarded team of the year at the Local Government Chronical Awards.
• That the work of the Hostel Commissioning Team, as well as Tower Hamlets Homes and the ‘Love Your Neighbourhood initiative’ also received recognition at the awards.
• That Tower Hamlets Homes had been shortlisted for a number of other national awards.

Turning to staffing issues, he reported that the Council were about to commence the process of recruiting to the roles of Divisional Director, Housing and Divisional Director, Planning & Building Control. He thanked Mark Baigent and Owen Whalley, for their services to the Council and their dedication. He also expressed gratitude to Beverley McKenzie, the Head of Member Services, who would be leaving the Council shortly for her contributions to the Council

He also reported on the latest Ofsted Visit.  The formal inspection would take place later in the year.

The Council Procedure Rules provide for a maximum of four petitions to be discussed at an Ordinary Meeting of the Council.

The attached report presents the received petition to be discussed. Should any further petitions have been received they would have been listed to be noted but not discussed. No further petitions were received.

5.1 Petition regarding the A12.

Iana Vidal and others addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners, and responded to questions from Members. Councillor David Edgar, Cabinet Member for Environment then responded to the matters raised in the petition. He confirmed that the Council had implemented a number of measures to help mitigate the impacts from the A12 on air quality and pollution levels. This included launching the Breath Clean campaign, and introducing a 20mph speed limit on Borough roads.

He also provided a brief update on TfL’s plans to carry out road improvements on sections of the A12 in the Borough. He stated that he would be happy to speak to the petitioners to consider further their concerns and how the Council could further influence the improvements works.

RESOLVED:

1.     That the petition be referred to the Acting Corporate Director Place, for a written response within 28 days.

5.2 Petition regarding New Providence Wharf Cladding

Mira Patel and others addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners, and responded to questions from Members. Mayor John Biggs then responded to the matters raised in the petition. He agreed with the petitioners points about the urgent need to remove any fire hazards from the development and the landlord’s duties in terms of removing unsafe cladding. He advised that the Council had been working with private landlords regarding fire safety matters and the landlord for this particular development had given reassurances regarding their plans to complete the necessary works within a timeframe. The Council would monitor progress with these actions.

RESOLVED

1.     That the petition be referred to the Acting Corporate Director Place, for a written response within 28 days.

5.3 Petition calling on the Council to Declare a Climate Emergency and become carbon neutral by 2025

Rachel Ellman and others addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners, and responded to questions from Members. Councillor Rachel Blake, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Air Quality then responded to the matters raised in the petition. She thanked the petitioners, especially the school children for presenting the petition, demonstrating why the problem of climate change should be taken seriously in the Borough.

On behalf of the Council, she declared a climate emergency in the Borough and highlighted a number of Council initiatives, including a new action plan, with the aim of reducing carbon omissions.

She also urged the community to keep up its efforts to help address this issue

RESOLVED

1.     That the petition be referred to the Acting Corporate Director Place, for a written response within 28 days.

Procedural Motion

Councillor Kevin Brady moved a procedural motion “that under Procedure Rule 14.1.3 the order of business be varied such that item 7, the Young Mayor’s Update be considered as the next item of business”. The procedural motion was put to the vote and was agreed.

The Council’s Constitution provides for the Elected Mayor to give a report at each Ordinary Council Meeting.

A maximum of six minutes is allowed for the Elected Mayor’s report, following which the Speaker of the Council will invite the leader of the opposition group to respond for up to two minutes should he so wish.

The Mayor presented his report to the Council.  Councillor Andrew Wood, Leader of the Conservative Group, then responded briefly to the Mayor’s report.

An opportunity for the Council to hear from the Young Mayor at the conclusion of his term of office.

The Young Mayor shared his experiences on his term in office, highlighting his initial aims for the two year term.

He then highlighted a number of key achievements around:

•           Supporting changes to the Young Mayor’s team to improve accessibility and participation.

•           Working with the Youth Council to provide a range of initiatives such as safeguarding events, and workshops on key issues.

•           Working closely with a range of other young people’s groups at a local and national level to represent young people and influence change.

He hoped that such work would continue and that the Young Mayor’s scheme would have an even greater impact on the community in the future.

In response, the Mayor and Councillors thanked the Young Mayor and the Deputy Mayor for acting as such positive advocates for young people and for carrying out such outstanding work 

To debate a Motion submitted by the Administration in accordance with Rules 11 and 13 of the Council’s Constitution. The debate will last for a maximum of 30 minutes.

8 – Administration Motion regarding Councils at Breaking Point

Mayor John Biggs moved and Councillor Candida Ronald seconded the motion as printed in the agenda.

Following debate, the motion was put to a vote and was agreed.

RESOLVED:

This Council notes that many council budgets are now at Breaking Point. Austerity has caused huge damage to communities up and down the UK, with devastating effects on key public services that protect the most defenceless in society – children at risk, disabled adults and vulnerable older people – and the services we all rely on;

1.         Tory cuts mean councils have lost 60p out of every £1 that the last Labour Government was spending on local government in 2010;

2.         Councils had to spend an extra £800m last year to meet the demand on vital services to protect children by over;

3.         With an ageing population and growing demand adult social care faces a gap of £3.5 billion – with only 14% of council workers now confident that vulnerable local residents are safe and cared for

4.         Government cuts have seen over 500 children’s centres and 475 libraries close, potholes are left unfilled, and 80% of councils workers now say have no confidence in the future of local services

5.         Northamptonshire has already gone bust due to Tory incompetence at both national and local level, and more councils are predicted to collapse without immediate emergency funding

6.         Councils now face a further funding gap of £7.8 billion by 2025 just to keep services ‘standing still’ and meeting additional demand. Even Lord Gary Porter, the Conservative Chair of the Local Government Association, has said ‘Councils can no longer be expected to run our vital local services on a shoestring’

7.         Tower Hamlets has lost 64% of its core government funding since 2010 that’s £148 million with a further cut of £44 million over the next three years.

8.         Despite this we have protected frontline services and are investing in a tackling poverty fund.

9.         The Fair Funding Review poses a threat to inner city borough with high levels of deprivation like Tower Hamlets.

This Council notes that Prime Minister Theresa May has also claimed that “austerity is over” despite planning a further £1.3bn of cuts to council budgets.

It notes that we have lost over 200 police officers from the streets of Tower Hamlets and the council has had to step in and invest £3 million to pay for council funded police officers so increasingly there are areas where the council is having to step in.

This Council agreeswith the aims of the ‘Breaking Point’ petition signed by Labour councillors across the country, in calling forthe Prime Minister and Chancellor to truly end austerity in local government by:

1.         Reversing cuts to council budgets, with the Local Government Association warning that many popular council services could disappear by 2025 due to a £8bn funding black hole;

2.         Investing £2bn in children’s services and £2bn in adult social care to stop  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To debate a Motion submitted by the Opposition Group in accordance with Rules 11 and 13 of the Council’s Constitution. The debate will last for a maximum of 30 minutes.

9 – Opposition Motion by the Conservative Group regarding Planning Appeal losses.

Councillor Andrew Wood moved and Councillor Peter Golds seconded the motion as printed in the agenda.

Following debate, the motion was put to the vote and was defeated.

The questions which have been received from Councillors to be put at this Council meeting are set out in the attached report.  A maximum period of 30 minutes is allocated to this agenda item.

The following questions and in each case supplementary questions were put (except where indicated) and were responded to by the Mayor, relevant Executive Member, or Committee Chair.

10.1 Question from Councillor Mufeedah Bustin

Can the cabinet member outline the council’s new graffiti and street art policy?

Response of Councillor David Edgar, Cabinet Member for Environment:

The policy was recently adopted by the Mayor in Cabinet. It addresses what I think is a growing problem in the borough of dealing with the level of graffiti that people often find unattractive and believe has an impact on the environment. The new policy sets out the approach to tackling graffiti and the way in which we prioritise graffiti which is racist or otherwise offensive and details how we make those decisions.   It also provides a good account of the work that is being done and the way we are trying to catch up with the back log that has built up. It talks about the pressures we are applying to Veolia to make sure we do a better job. It also sets out how the Mayor put more money in the budget to graffiti removal teams, so we will have more graffiti removal teams in the new financial year, which I think will be a very useful way of tackling the backlog. What it also did was to recognise that there are some pieces of street art which most people would agree on. It sets out a framework for making decisions on those, so we get a proper balance between removing unsightly graffiti and recognising that some of it is attractive as street art.

No supplementary question was asked.

10.2 Question from Councillor Andrew Wood

Why was the Serious Case Review for baby 'Elias' only released in February 2019 when he died approximately 31 months earlier. Given that the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board should aim for completion of a Serious Case Review within six months of initiating it according to guidance issued by the Department of Education in March 2015.

Response of Councillor Danny Hassell, Cabinet Member for Children School and Young People:

This is clearly a very tragic case. The Governments guidance suggest that

Serious Case Reviews should be completed within six months unless they are complex cases. Often the level of complexity is not identified until mid-way through that process.  This was certainly the case for two of the most recently published serious case reviews. There were a number of factors that contributed to serious delays. They included:

§  Identifying the right independent reviewers with the necessary expertise from a national pool.

§  A drift in the set-up process between the Council’s Procurement Provider and the individual reviewers

§  Further unexpected delays arose from the impact of IR35 tax legislation

However, I would like to assure the council, as is the case with serious case reviews, that we have made sure that the learning is considered and we have already taken steps including:

• Ceasing to have a social work team at  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

To consider the report of the General Purposes Committee on the Pay Policy Statement 2019-20.

The Council considered a report of the General Purposes Committee on the Pay Policy Statement 2019-20.

RESOLVED:

1.         That the Pay Policy Statement 2019/20 be agreed.

To consider the report of the Corporate Director, Governance proposing the adoption of the Members’ Allowance Scheme for 2019/20.

The Council considered the report of the Corporate Director, Governance proposing the adoption of the Members’ Allowance Scheme for 2019/20.

RESOLVED:

1.     That the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Members’ Allowances Scheme 2019 be adopted as set out at Appendix A to the report

To consider the report of the Corporate Director, Governance proposing a Calendar of Meetings for 2019/20

The Council considered the report of the Corporate Director, Governance proposing a Calendar of Meetings for 2019/20

Councillor Kevin Brady moved the following amendment to the report:

The Council is recommended to:

1.         Approve the proposed calendar of meetings for the municipal year 2019/20 as set out in Appendix A.

2.         The exception to the above Recommendation is to retain the current 5 Ordinary Council meetings per year on the dates as set out in Paragraph 3.8 of the report.

3.         To delegate to the Monitoring Officer the authority to agree any changes to Committee meeting dates required in relation to Recommendation 2 and to delegate to the Monitoring Officer the authority to agree meeting dates for any new Committees or Panels that are set up subsequent to this report being presented to Council, subject to appropriate consultation with Members.

The amendments to the recommendations in the report were agreed.

RESOLVED:

1.         Approve the proposed calendar of meetings for the municipal year 2019/20 as set out in Appendix A.

2.         The exception to the above Recommendation is to retain the current 5 Ordinary Council meetings per year on the dates as set out in Paragraph 3.8 of the report.

3.         To delegate to the Monitoring Officer the authority to agree any changes to Committee meeting dates required in relation to Recommendation 2 and to delegate to the Monitoring Officer the authority to agree meeting dates for any new Committees or Panels that are set up subsequent to this report being presented to Council, subject to appropriate consultation with Members.

13.1 Motion regarding the All - Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims working definition of Islamophobia

Councillor Tarik Khan moved and Councillor Puru Miah seconded the motion as printed in the agenda.

Following debate the motion was put to the vote and was unanimously agreed.

RESOLVED:

Tower Hamlets Council Notes:

1.         The publication by the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on British Muslims, “Islamophobia Defined”. A Report on the inquiry into a working definition of Islamophobia / anti-Muslim hatred

2.         The report was the result of a six month long inquiry heard from academics, lawyers, activists, victim groups and British Muslim organisations, as well as first-hand accounts from communities in Manchester, Sheffield, Birmingham and London.

3.         The APPG on British Muslims received countless submissions detailing the racialised manner in which the Muslimness of an individual was used to attack Muslims or those perceived to be Muslims. The racialisation of Muslims proceeds on the basis of their racial and religious identity, or perceived identity, from white converts receiving racialised sobriquets such as “paki”, Muslim women attacked due to their perceived dress, bearded men attacked for the personification of a Muslim identity or even turban wearing Sikhs attacked due to the perception of Muslimness.

4.         The APPG on British Muslims strongly encourage the government, political parties, statutory bodies, public and private institutions to adopt this definition in helping to achieve a fairer society for all, as it believes the conclusion to the inquiry will become the benchmark for defining and tackling the scourge of Islamophobia.

Tower Hamlets Council Resolves:

1.         To adopt the working definition on Islamophobia as recommended by the APPG on British Muslims:

“Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness”.

2.         Therefore becoming one of the first local authorities to adopt the working definition on Islamophobia.

The Council agreed to suspend Procedure Rule 13.1 to enable the following urgent motion to be debated without notice:

14.1 Motion regarding the terror attack in New Zealand

Mayor John Biggs moved and Councillor Asma Begum seconded, the motion as tabled.

Following debate the motion was put to the vote and was unanimously agreed.

RESOLVED:

This Council notes:

1.         The appalling terror attack which took place in Christchurch, New Zealand, on 15th March 2019, in which 50 people died and over 20 people were injured;

2.         That there have been a number of other terror attacks in recent months against people of other faiths and none;

3.         That the men, women and children in Christchurch were targeted simply because of their faith;

4.         That a number of vigils were held at mosques, including here in Tower Hamlets, to show support and solidarity to Muslim communities around the world and that the solidarity of our community is reassuring but cannot be taken for granted;

5.         That our community has repeatedly been attacked by those who seek to divide us. With the anniversary of the Brick Lane bomb upon us, we are reminded of our vulnerability and need to always be vigilant;

6.         That while many aspects of life for British Muslims have improved in recent years instances of Islamophobia and hate attacks on Muslims remain a continuing issue in our community;

7.         That the dissemination of hate messages and graphic images promoting extreme causes on the internet is a new and unregulated aspect of modern life, and that this is reinforced by the continued promotion of negative images in ‘mainstream’ media too;

8.         That while the Christchurch attacks targeted Muslims, other minority groups face attack too, at different times and in different ways, but we note that there have been a number of attacks on places of worship of different faiths in recent years.

This Council believes:

1.         Those who seek to divide us must never succeed, and we stand together against hatred as we have always done in Tower Hamlets;

2.         That the council should send an unequivocal message of support to the people of New Zealand and to Muslim communities around the world to make it clear that Tower Hamlets stands with them.

3.         That 21^st March is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, and this should be marked each year by the council.

4.         That the council should mark the 20^th anniversary of the Brick Lane bomb this year.

This Council resolves:

1.         To call on the Mayor to write to the Mayor of Christchurch to express sympathy and solidarity on behalf of Tower Hamlets;

2.         To ask the Mayor to write to the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, to call for better regulation of the media and social media to guard against racism and the spread of hate, and to emphasise the need to combat the dangerous role that the media and the internet can play in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.