Agenda, decisions and 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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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE To receive any apologies for absence. Decision: Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors Lutfa Begum, Ahmed Hussain, Ann Jackson, Mohammed Abdul Munim and Oliur Rahman and for lateness from Councillor Tim O’Flaherty.
DECISION That the apologies for absence and lateness be noted. Minutes: Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors Lutfa Begum, Ahmed Hussain, Ann Jackson, Mohammed Abdul Munim and Oliur Rahman and for lateness from Councillor Tim O’Flaherty.
RESOLVED That the apologies for absence and lateness be noted. |
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DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST PDF 25 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: Please see minutes. Minutes: Councillors made declarations of interest in items included on the agenda as follows:
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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 17th December 2008 Decision: DECISION
That subject to an amendment to record Councillor Dr. Anwara Ali’s declaration of a personal interest in agenda item 7.8, the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 17th December 2008 be confirmed as a correct record of the proceedings and the Mayor be authorised to sign them accordingly.
Minutes: Councillor Dr Anwara Ali said that she had declared a personal interest in agenda item 7.8 and asked that the minutes be amended.
RESOLVED
That subject to an amendment to record Councillor Dr. Anwara Ali’s declaration of a personal interest in agenda item 7.8, the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 17th December 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, LEADER OF THE COUNCIL, MEMBERS OF THE CABINET OR THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE Decision: Please see minutes. Minutes: (i) New Young Mayor and Deputy Mayors
Councillor Lutfur Rahman congratulated the new Young Mayor, Uma Akther on her election and welcomed Ms Akther and two of her Deputy Young Mayors Jamil Trofder and Alex Kuye to the Council meeting.
(ii) Exceptional weather
Councillor Lutfur Rahman congratulated staff who attended work despite the exceptionally adverse recent weather. He noted that the Council’s services had responded to the conditions and continued to provide essential services for local residents.
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TO RECEIVE ANY DEPUTATIONS OR PETITIONS PDF 56 KB The deputations and petitions received for presentation to the Council Meeting are set out in the attached agenda item 5. Decision: DEPUTATIONS
5.1.1 Deputation re: the effect of the economic downturn on residents
Ms. Claire Palmer addressed the meeting in support of the deputation.
DECISION
That the deputation be referred to the Corporate Director of Resources for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
(Action by: Chris Naylor, Corporate Director of Resources)
5.1.2 Deputation re: living standards on the Exmouth Estate
Mr. Dave Coker addressed the meeting in support of the deputation.
DECISION
That the deputation be referred to the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
(Action by: Paul Evans, Interim Corporate Director, Development and Renewal)
5.1.3 Deputation re: Latham House
Mr Aleyk Miah addressed the meeting in support of the deputation.
DECISION
That the deputation be referred to the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
(Action by: Paul Evans, Interim Corporate Director, Development and Renewal)
PETITIONS
5.2.1 Petition re: Tesco Express Supermarket on Bow Road
Petition not heard as no representative of the petitioners was in attendance.
5.2.2 Petition re: Island Homes
Mr Terence Austin and Jenny Fisher addressed the meeting in support of the petition.
DECISION
That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
(Action by: Paul Evans, Interim Corporate Director, Development and Renewal)
5.2.3 Petition re: anti-social behaviour on the Devons Road Estate
Mr. Tazul Islam addressed the meeting in support of the petition.
DECISION
That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
(Action by: Stephen Halsey, Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture)
Minutes: DEPUTATIONS
5.1.1 Deputation re: the effect of the economic downturn on residents
At the invitation of the Mayor, Ms. Claire Palmer addressed the meeting in support of the deputation. She re-iterated the points made in the printed agenda on the effect of the economic downturn on residents.
Ms. Palmer responded to questions from Members of the Council.
Councillor Joshua Peck, Lead Member for Resources and Performance responded to the matters raised by Ms. Palmer. The Council was required to set a balanced budget which meant balancing what it spent on services with its income, including the income it derives from Council Tax.
The Council was committed to ensuring that services for local people are capable of meeting local needs and also to setting a Council Tax that is affordable. Councillor Peck outlined a number of the Council’s initiatives to support local residents across a range of service areas and stated that the authority would continue to work with local partners to ensure an effective and affordable respond to the economic situation.
RESOLVED
That the deputation be referred to the Corporate Director of Resources for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
5.1.2 Deputation re: living standards on the Exmouth Estate
At the invitation of the Mayor, Mr. Dave Coker addressed the meeting in support of the deputation concerning the decline of living standards on the Exmouth Estate since it had been transferred to Swan Housing.
Mr. Coker responded to questions from Members of the Council.
Councillor Marc Francis, Lead Member for Housing and Development responded to the matters raised by Mr. Coker. Councillor Francis stated that he had also visited the Exmouth Estate on four occasions and had noted the door entry systems, lighting that had been vandalised and the poor caretaking. He had met with Senior Officers at Swan Housing and as a result Swan had given a commitment to deal urgently with the caretaking issues and had revised the schedule of works for the door entry systems to be made fully operational.
In relation to the redevelopment of Brayford Square, Swan proposed that the existing shops and community interests would be relocated into new premises along the Commercial Road frontage. Residents across the estate would be consulted on the redevelopment proposals in the coming months. Regarding compliance with the offer documents, the Council was satisfied that Swan’s current proposals did not represent a departure but the position would be kept under review.
RESOLVED
That the deputation be referred to the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
5.1.3 Deputation re: Latham House
On the invitation of the Mayor, Mr Aleyk Miah addressed the meeting in support of the deputation concerning Latham House.
Mr. Miah responded to questions by Members of the Council.
Councillor Marc Francis, Lead Member for Housing and Development responded to the matters raised by Mr. Miah and said that the Council had entered into a 15 year management agreement ... view the full minutes text for item 5. |
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TO RECEIVE WRITTEN QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC PDF 27 KB (Maximum of 30 minutes allowed)
The questions which have been received are set out in agenda item 6. Decision: 6.1 Question from Mr. Philip Whittington to the Lead Member for Resources and Performance, Councillor Joshua Peck re: payment of Council tax
The above question and an oral supplementary question were put by Mr. Whittington and responded to by the Lead Member, Resources and Performance.
(Action by: Chris Naylor, Corporate Director of Resources)
6.2 Question from Ms. Johanna Kaschke to the Lead Member for Resources and Performance, Councillor Joshua Peck re: non-payment reminders
This question was not put at the meeting as Ms Kaschke was not present. Written response to be sent.
(Action by: John S. Williams, Service Head, Democratic Services)
6.3 Question from Mr. Len Aldis to the Leader of the Council, Councillor Lutfur Rahman re: Mayors for Peace
The above question and an oral supplementary question were put by Mr. Aldis and responded to by the Leader of the Council.
(Action by: Lutfur Ali, Assistant Chief Executive)
6.4 Question from Mr. Terry McGrenera to the Lead Member for Resources and Performance, Councillor Joshua Peck re: the London Living Wage
The above question and an oral supplementary question were put by Mr. McGrenera and responded to by the Lead Member for Resources and Performance.
(Action by: Chris Naylor, Corporate Director of Resources)
Minutes: 6.1 Question from Mr. Philip Whittington to the Lead Member for Resources and Performance, Councillor Joshua Peck
“I moved to the borough earlier this year and my housemate and I duly tried to establish a direct debit mandate with the Council for the payment of Council Tax. We later received a ‘reminder’ so I made arrangements to set up payments again. After a period where we heard nothing, we then received a summons to a magistrates’ court for non-payment dated 9th July (which we received on 12th). When I came to the Town Hall on 14th July to explain the situation, the Council had my bank account details already (complete with a scanned copy of my signed debit mandate) in the first place but had neglected to set up the payment process. I would like to know:-
a) How many people across the borough experienced this problem? b) How many of those people fitted any of the Council’s definitions of ‘vulnerable’ or ‘living in vulnerable circumstances’ (whom we would expect to experience severe distress in this situation)? c) How many older people received summons to magistrates’ courts due to this administrative error? d) What measures have been put in place to avoid innocent residents in future being intimidated by government (albeit unintentionally) in this way?”
Response of the Lead Member:
a) I apologise for the level of service that you received but it is not typical. Tower Hamlets’ performance in this area is acknowledged nationally as good and instances where direct debit instructions are received but electronically filed without having first been processed are extremely rare to the point where the Service Head responsible personally recalls this case. As far as I am aware , this was the only instance of a complaint of this nature during this financial year. The completed form was received on 25th June just before the summons was issued on 9th July 2008. The summons was immediately cancelled and an apology sent to you.
b) none
c) none
d) The investigation revealed that the administrative error occurred as your form was received in the internal mail, and then incorrectly dealt with as if the work had been processed. A minor change to procedures has ensured no repetition.
Summary of supplementary question from Mr. Whittington:
I have seen correspondence from 2008, arising from a Member’s Enquiry, to the effect that up to 60 people were in the same situation. I would assume that a proportion of these would be older or vulnerable people so in my view your responses to b) and c), and your assertion that my case was isolated is complacent. What measures do you have in place to avoid this happening again?
Summary of Lead Member’s response:
I have not seen the Member’s Enquiry you mention as these are confidential to the Member concerned. However I will be happy to look into this matter with the Service Head and take any action as necessary.
6.2 Question from Ms. ... view the full minutes text for item 6. |
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TO RECEIVE QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL PDF 43 KB (Maximum of 30 minutes allowed)
The questions which have been received are set out in agenda item 7. Decision: 7.1 Question from Councillor Fazlul Haque to the Lead Member for Employment and Skills, Councillor Alibor Choudhury re: work to improve jobs and skills in the community.
7.2 Question from Councillor Shirley Houghton to the Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Sirjaul Islam re: Members training.
7.3 Question from Councillor Harun Miah to the Lead Member for Resources and Performance, Councillor Joshua Peck re: Council Tax and charges.
7.4 Question from Councillor Stephanie Eaton to the Lead Member for Cleaner, Safer, Greener, Councillor Abdal Ullah re: Safer Neighbourhood Teams.
7.6 Question from Councillor Tim Archer to the Lead Member for Regeneration, Localisation and Community Partnerships, Councillor Ohid Ahmed re: Blackwall Reach and Robin Hood Gardens.
The above questions and oral supplementary questions where put, were responded to by the relevant Lead Members.
Question 7.5 was not put as Councillor Ann Jackson was not present at the meeting.
Due to the lack of time, questions 7 – 24 were not put. Written responses will be forwarded to the questioners.
(Action by: John S. Williams, Service Head, Democratic Services)
Minutes: Councillor David Snowdon wished to raise a Point of Order under Rule 15.12 as he had not received a written response as agreed by Councillor Joshua Peck to matters raised at the previous Council meeting. Mr. John Williams, Service Head, Democratic Services, informed the meeting that this did not represent a Point of Order in relation to the current meeting. However, Councillor Peck said that an answer should be with Councillor Snowdon the following day.
7.1 Question from Councillor Fazlul Haque to the Lead Member for Employment and Skills, Councillor Alibor Choudhury
Can the Lead Member for Employment and Skills elaborate on the work being done to improve jobs and skills in the community?
Response of the Lead Member:
There are a range of activities available for residents to increase their employment skills, information on these can be found at each of the Community Hubs, at Ideas Stores, Tower Hamlets College or through the Skillsmatch service as well as local Jobcentre plus offices.
The Council is offering the following:
The Skillsmatch service which assists over 600 local residents into employment each year through a range of pre-employment training in areas such as construction, security, finance and administration and health. In addition the Single Point of Access service has been developed through the City Strategy and offers a partnership of activity taking Skillsmatch staff into each LAP area working with Community Hubs, Extended Schools Services, Children’s Centres and RSL’s.
The Employment Task Group offers representation from key stakeholders and provides additionality to mainstream services of JCP and LSC encouraging more employability activity in schools, with parents and with graduates as well as encouraging those furthest away from the labour market to take part in the range of activity on offer.
For young people there is a published list of activities available through Children’s Services for NEET’s and other young people keen to improve their skills and receive support into employment. There is also a range of support and advice available through parental and family engagement activity.
The Council will be considering a further range of support through its agreement on the allocation of the Working Neighbourhood Fund. This will offer funding to a range of providers, all seeking to offer additionality as well as signposting to current mainstream services. The total allocation is offered on the basis of helping in excess of 6,000 local residents into employment by 2011. The majority of the allocation is focussed on helping local residents secure sustainable employment through support, information, skills training and job brokerage and there is also an allocation for preventative work, helping young people make a more effective transition from education to employment and raising aspiration and skills for pupils. The allocation also includes funding for entry level ESOL.
The recently agreed Employment strategy identifies the key areas of work agreed by the Council and offers an action plan as well as 5 main objectives. These will be monitored and progress reported through the Prosperous Communities CPDG. Through the LAA process ... view the full minutes text for item 7. |
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REPORTS FROM THE EXECUTIVE AND THE COUNCIL'S COMMITTEES |
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Annual Report of the Standards Committee 2007/08 Report by Mr. Patrick O’Connor, Independent Chair of the Standards Committee. Decision: Mr Barry O’Connor, Independent Chair of the Standards Committee, presented the Committee’s annual report and responded to questions from Members.
DECISION
That the Annual Report of the Standards Committee 2007/08 be received.
(Action by: Isabella Freeman, Assistant Chief Executive [Legal Services and Standards])
Minutes: Mr Barry O’Connor, Independent Chair of the Standards Committee, presented the Committee’s annual report, which had been tabled, and responded to questions from Members.
Councillors thanked Mr O’Connor for his presentation and for the valuable work that he and the other Independent Members carried out on the Committee.
Councillor Shirley Houghton sought further information on the recruitment process for Independent Members of the Standards Committee. The Service Head, Democratic Services undertook to forward details to Councillor Houghton.
Councillor Lutfur Rahman MOVED and Councillor Councillor Sirajul Islam SECONDED and it was
RESOLVED
That the Annual Report of the Standards Committee 2007/08 be received.
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TO RECEIVE REPORTS AND QUESTIONS ON JOINT ARRANGEMENTS AND EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS No business under this heading to be considered. Decision: 9.1 Joint Arrangements
There was no business under this heading to be considered.
9.2 External Organisations
There was no business under this heading to be considered.
Minutes: 9.1 Joint Arrangements
There was no business under this heading to be considered.
9.2 External Organisations
There was no business under this heading to be considered.
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OTHER BUSINESS No business under this heading to be considered. Decision: There was no business under this heading to be considered.
Minutes: There was no business under this heading to be considered.
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TO CONSIDER MOTIONS SUBMITTED BY MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL PDF 71 KB The motions submitted by Members of the Council for debate at this Council Meeting are set out in agenda item 11. Decision: 11.1 Motion submitted by Councillor Abjol Miah regarding support for the Palestinians in Gaza
The motion as printed in the agenda was moved by Councillor Abjol Miah and seconded by Councillor Harun Miah.
An amendment moved by Councillor Lutfur Rahman and seconded by Councillor Ohid Ahmed was agreed.
The substantive motion as amended was then agreed as follows:
DECISION
This Council notes:
That during the recent Israeli offensive against Gaza, more than 1300 Palestinians have been killed.
That over 400 of these are children and over 100 women.
That over 5500 people have been injured sufficiently seriously to be admitted to hospital.
That three Israeli civilians and 13 Israeli soldiers have been killed.
That many civilians on both sides have died since the breakdown of the peace process in 2000. (727 Israeli civilians and 2200 Palestinian civilians from 2000-2007 according to Israeli Human Rights Group B’Tselem as cited by OCHA).
That combined with the long-standing blockade of the Gaza Strip, the current hostilities have precipitated a massive humanitarian crisis.
That Israel ignored a UN call to ceasefire for over a week until its aims had been achieved.
That both sides have concluded separate ceasefires but that the underlying problems remain unresolved.
This Council believes:
That military action resulting in the death of civilians, whether as a result of deliberate targeting or “collateral damage” is incompatible with the values of a liberal democracy.
That Israel has used disproportionate and insufficiently discriminating force in the Gaza Strip.
That Israeli tactics, combined with the long-standing blockade of the Gaza Strip amount to the collective punishment of an entire population, in contravention of the Geneva Convention.
That Israeli aggression is unlikely to achieve its stated aims preventing rocket attacks and has demonstrably led to a rise in anti-Israeli sentiment across the world.
This Council resolves:
To condemn this Israeli incursion into Gaza
To call on the British Government to express that condemnation unequivocally and ask Ministers to:
· Condemn Israel’s use of disproportionate and insufficiently discriminating military force · Call on our government to pressure Israel to halt settlement on Palestinian land · Call on each side to renounce violence and negotiate a settlement for a secure Israel and an economically and politically viable Palestinian state based on 1967 borders · Consider sanctions against Israel if it refuses to engage in negotiation, just as the US and others have lent support to the de facto sanctions applied on Gaza and Hamas in the form of the Israeli blockade · Write to the BBC and Sky TV condemning their refusal to air a DEC appeal for aid on behalf of the people of Gaza · Halt arms exports.
To condemn rocket attacks by Hamas on civilian targets in Israel.
To condemn anti-Semitic attacks, graffiti and abuse within Tower Hamlets or anywhere else.
To support people in Gaza by exploring possibilities for friendship with organisations in the region who are committed to a just and lasting peace and encouraging local businesses to stock fair trade Palestinian ... view the full decision text for item 11. Minutes: 11.1 Motion submitted by Councillor Abjol Miah regarding support for the Palestinians in Gaza
The motion as printed in the agenda was moved by Councillor Abjol Miah and seconded by Councillor Harun Miah.
A tabled amendment was moved by Councillor Lutfur Rahman and seconded by Councillor Ohid Ahmed. Following debate this amendment was put to the vote and was agreed.
The substantive motion as amended was then put to the vote and agreed and it was accordingly
RESOLVED
This Council notes:
That during the recent Israeli offensive against Gaza, more than 1300 Palestinians have been killed.
That over 400 of these are children and over 100 women.
That over 5500 people have been injured sufficiently seriously to be admitted to hospital.
That three Israeli civilians and 13 Israeli soldiers have been killed.
That many civilians on both sides have died since the breakdown of the peace process in 2000. (727 Israeli civilians and 2200 Palestinian civilians from 2000-2007 according to Israeli Human Rights Group B’Tselem as cited by OCHA).
That combined with the long-standing blockade of the Gaza Strip, the current hostilities have precipitated a massive humanitarian crisis.
That Israel ignored a UN call to ceasefire for over a week until its aims had been achieved.
That both sides have concluded separate ceasefires but that the underlying problems remain unresolved.
This Council believes:
That military action resulting in the death of civilians, whether as a result of deliberate targeting or “collateral damage” is incompatible with the values of a liberal democracy.
That Israel has used disproportionate and insufficiently discriminating force in the Gaza Strip.
That Israeli tactics, combined with the long-standing blockade of the Gaza Strip amount to the collective punishment of an entire population, in contravention of the Geneva Convention.
That Israeli aggression is unlikely to achieve its stated aims preventing rocket attacks and has demonstrably led to a rise in anti-Israeli sentiment across the world.
This Council resolves:
To condemn this Israeli incursion into Gaza
To call on the British Government to express that condemnation unequivocally and ask Ministers to:
· Condemn Israel’s use of disproportionate and insufficiently discriminating military force · Call on our government to pressure Israel to halt settlement on Palestinian land · Call on each side to renounce violence and negotiate a settlement for a secure Israel and an economically and politically viable Palestinian state based on 1967 borders · Consider sanctions against Israel if it refuses to engage in negotiation, just as the US and others have lent support to the de facto sanctions applied on Gaza and Hamas in the form of the Israeli blockade · Write to the BBC and Sky TV condemning their refusal to air a DEC appeal for aid on behalf of the people of Gaza · Halt arms exports.
To condemn rocket attacks by Hamas on civilian targets in Israel.
To condemn anti-Semitic attacks, graffiti and abuse within Tower Hamlets or anywhere else.
To support people in Gaza by exploring possibilities for friendship with organisations in ... view the full minutes text for item 11. |