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 Councillor Mohammed Abdul Munim.
DECISION
That the apology be noted.
Minutes: Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillor Mohammed Abdul Munim.
RESOLVED
That the apology 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 Wednesday 15th July 2009. Decision: DECISION
That the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 15th July 2009 be confirmed as a correct record of the proceedings and the Mayor be authorised to sign them accordingly.
Minutes: RESOLVED
That the minutes of the Council meeting held on Wednesday 15th July 2009 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: (1) Recent earthquakes and tsunami
The Mayor, on behalf of the Council, expressed his shock and sadness at the suffering caused to many thousands of people in South Asia and in the South Pacific region by the recent earthquakes and related tsunami in those areas. Members joined him in sending their sympathy to those affected and in particular to those residents in the borough who have family or other connections with the stricken areas; and their wholehearted support to those involved in the relief effort.
(2) Death of former Councillor Rosemary Maher
The Leader of the Council, Councillor Lutfur Rahman, said that it was with great sadness that he informed the Council of the death of former Councillor Rosemary Maher who had passed away on 6th September after a short illness. Rosemary was active in local politics for many years and served as a Councillor for the Bethnal Green South Ward from 1974 – 1978. On behalf of the Council, the Leader expressed his condolences to Rosemary Maher’s family and friends.
(3) Jobs Fair – 13th October2009
The Leader of the Council, Councillor Lutfur Rahman, informed Members that the Jobs Fair held on 13th October and organised by Councillor Oliur Rahman, had been a great success and more than 5,000 people had attended with queues going into West Ferry Road. The Leader congratulated Councillor Rahman and officers for their hard work and Councillor Alibor Choudhury, the former Lead Member for Employment and Skills, for pioneering the jobs fair.
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TO RECEIVE ANY PETITIONS OR DEPUTATIONS The petitions and deputations that have been received for presentation to the meeting are set out in agenda item 5 attached. Decision: The Order of Business was varied during the course of the meeting but for ease of reference the decision sheet is in the same order as the agenda.
PETITIONS
5.1.1 Petition re: the Exmouth Estate Residents’ Board
Mr. Dave Coker 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: Aman Dalvi, Corporate Director, Development and Renewal)
5.1.2 Petition re: Latham House
Mr. Kyle Wallace 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: Aman Dalvi, Corporate Director, Development and Renewal)
5.1.3 Petition re: a safer and dust-free environment on Empson Street, E3
Ms. Sofia Khan 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)
The meeting agreed to suspend Procedure Rule 19.1 to allow for an additional petition, on the same matter as one of the petitions listed on the agenda, to be heard at the meeting. This additional petition was taken at item 5.1.4 below.
5.1.4 Petition re: Make Empson Street safer and cleaner
Ms. Nowrin Qureshi 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)
DEPUTATIONS
5.2.1 Deputation re: future provision at Gill Street (Limehouse Practice)
Mr. Nuruz Zaman (with the aid of an interpreter) addressed the meeting in support of the deputation.
DECISION
That the deputation be referred to the Acting Corporate Director, Adults Health and Wellbeing for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
(Action by: Helen Taylor, Acting Corporate Director, Adults Health and Wellbeing)
5.2.2 Deputation re: the effects of cuts to ESOL provision and loss of experienced ESOL teachers at Tower Hamlets College
Mr. Saleh Ahmed addressed the meeting in support of the deputation.
DECISION
That the deputation be referred to the Corporate Director, Children, Schools and Families for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
(Action by: Isobel Cattermole, Acting Corporate Director, Children, Schools and Families)
5.2.3 Deputation re: Mile End Road crossing
Mr. Carlo Gibbs addressed the meeting in support of the deputation.
DECISION
That the deputation 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: PETITIONS
5.1.1 Petition re: the Exmouth Estate Residents’ Board
At the invitation of the Mayor, Mr. Dave Coker addressed the meeting in support of the petition. Mr. Coker then responded to questions from Members of the Council.
Councillor Marc Francis, Lead Member for Housing and Development, said that Swan Housing had advised him that the Exmouth Estate Residents Board seeks to represent all residents on the estate and that the Board works to a clearly defined constitution and holds an annual AGM that any resident may attend. The most recent AGM was on 29 September 2009, for which the agenda and nomination forms were hand delivered to every household 28 days prior to the meeting. All documents were translated. There were eight vacancies on the Estate Residents’ Board Committee. Six applications were made to join the committee. Two of those residents attended the AGM and their applications were endorsed. The others did not attend but the meeting agreed that their applications can be endorsed at a later meeting. The Chair, Mr Ferris, told Councillor Francis that he was very keen for residents from other ethnic backgrounds to join the committee.
In view of the above information Councillor Francis stated that the Council was not persuaded that the Exmouth Estate Board lacks authority to speak for the residents or that it is not representative.
RESOLVED
That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
5.1.2 Petition re: Latham House
At the invitation of the Mayor, Mr. Kyle Wallace addressed the meeting in support of the petition. Mr. Wallace then responded to questions from Members of the Council.
Councillor Marc Francis, Lead Member for Housing and Development, thanked Mr. Wallace for bringing the petition to the Council meeting. He said that a decision on the future of Latham House had not yet been taken but it was certainly the desire of the Council for this block to come back and be managed by Tower Hamlets Homes. Family Mosaic’s lease was due to expire in 2011 but they would have the option of extending this by a further six years if they wished. A resolution therefore needed to be negotiated with Family Mosaic and talks had been held over the last year in this regard.
Although it was therefore premature for the lead Member to discuss tenancy agreements, repairs etc., Councillor Francis did say that he was very conscious of the concerns arising from the lack of security of tenure for those with assured shorthold tenancies.
Councillor Francis had visited Latham House earlier in the day and had instructed the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal, to tell Family Mosaic to clean up the litter, graffiti and urine in the stairwell as a matter of urgency. He had also asked Spitalfields HA to ensure that feedback be provided on the Anti-Social Behaviour reports that had been made by a number of tenants.
RESOLVED
That the petition ... view the full minutes text for item 5. |
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TO RECEIVE WRITTEN QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC No questions have been received from members of the public for submission to this meeting. Decision: There were no public questions received for this meeting.
Minutes: There were no public questions received for this meeting.
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TO RECEIVE WRITTEN QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL PDF 44 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 Waiseul Islam to the Lead Member for Cleaner, Safer, Greener, Councillor Abdal Ullah re: the use of CCTV cameras for parking enforcement in the borough.
7.2 Question from Councillor Tim Archer to the Lead Member for Housing and Development, Councillor Marc Francis re: grants for building new council homes.
7.3 Question from Councillor Rajib Ahmed to the Lead Member for Employment and Skills, Councillor Oliur Rahman re: the Jobs Fair.
7.4 Question from Councillor Abjol Miah to the Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Joshua Peck re: the watering down of legislation on the proliferation of sex encounter venues.
7.5 Question from Councillor Mohammed Shahid Ali to the Lead Member for Health and Wellbeing, Councillor Dr. Anwara Ali re: helping older residents to cope with the effect of the recession.
7.6 Question from Councillor Stephanie Eaton to the Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Joshua Peck re: reducing incidents of homophobic hate crime.
7.7 Questions from Councillor Carli Harper-Penman to the Lead Member for Resources and Performance, Councillor Ohid Ahmed re: the Cabinet’s intentions regarding Council Tax and how our Council Tax rates compare to other London Boroughs.
The above questions, and oral supplementaries where put, were responded to by the relevant Lead Members.
Due to lack of time, questions 8 – 25 were not put. Written responses will be forwarded to the questioners.
(Action by: John S. Williams, Service Head, Democratic Services)
Minutes: 7.1 Question from Councillor Waiseul Islam to the Lead Member for Cleaner, Safer, Greener, Councillor Abdal Ullah
Can the Lead Member let us know what the situation is regarding the use of CCTV cameras for parking enforcement in the borough, especially around Brick Lane and the Royal London Hospital?
Response of the Lead Member:
I, and many other Members, are aware of the level of concern within the local community over the use made of CCTV to enforce the parking regulations in the borough, and the extent that residents and visitors are made aware of the fact that CCTV is used for this purpose.
Following initial discussions with Officers earlier this year it was agreed that CCTV enforcement should cease in Brick Lane in March this year.
More recently further discussions concerning the area around the Royal London Hospital resulted in a decision to suspend all CCTV enforcement of the parking regulations throughout the borough from 17 September until; (a) a review of the use and deployment of CCTV cameras and Civil Enforcement Officers is completed; (b) the use of signs advising motorists that CCTV is being used to enforce traffic regulations has been reviewed and upgraded; and (c) a publicity campaign has been carried out in support of the additional signs (which has already started to appear) advising residents of the use of CCTV to enforce parking regulations in the borough.
Summary of supplementary question from Councillor Waiseul Islam:
Thank you for your response. CCTV concerns residents as they feel it affects their civil liberties and they are not aware the fines are being issued. There are other issues and pressures on parking provisions. What is the Council going to do to address the towing problems in the borough?
Summary of Lead Member’s response:
There is sometimes misunderstanding about where responsibility for towing lies within certain areas, for example Registered Social Landlords. We take pride in making sure that visitors to the borough are welcomed. Demand on parking space is at a premium. As of this week, a decision has been taken to allocate 2 designated bays to drop off and pick up at the nearest point to the A&E department at the Royal London Hospital.
7.2 Question from Councillor Tim Archer to the Lead Member for Housing and Development, Councillor Marc Francis
Why, given that there are 23,000 people on the borough’s housing waiting list, did the Labour Government not give Tower Hamlets Council any money from the most recent round of grants for building new council houses, despite the borough applying for a share of the money?
Response of the Lead Member
In July, Gordon Brown and the new Housing Minister, John Healey MP gave the green light to the biggest council house building programme in almost two decades.
Tower Hamlets made an application for £1.7 million funding for 17 new council homes.
At Labour Party Conference two weeks ago, the Minister announced that Tower Hamlets had been successful.
The Council will match the ... 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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Appointment of Head of Paid Service PDF 23 KB Report of the Assistant Chief Executive attached – recommendation of the Appointments Sub-Committee to be tabled. Decision: DECISION
That the Council confirm the appointment of Dr. Kevan Collins, currently Interim Chief Executive, as the authority’s Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service on a permanent basis with effect from 14 October 2009.
(Action by: Chris Naylor, Corporate Director, Resources)
Minutes: An addendum report of the Joint Director of Human Resources was tabled, setting out the recommendation of the Appointments Sub-Committee held on 13 October 2009.
Councillor Lutfur Rahman MOVED and Councillor Joshua Peck SECONDED the recommendation as set out in the tabled report.
After discussion, the recommendation was put to the vote and it was AGREED, with no Member voting against. Accordingly it was:-
RESOLVED
That the Council confirm the appointment of Dr. Kevan Collins, currently Interim Chief Executive, as the authority’s Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service on a permanent basis with effect from 14 October 2009.
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Annual Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee PDF 25 KB The Annual Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the municipal year 2008-09 is attached. Additional documents: Decision: DECISION
That the annual report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2008-09 be noted.
(Action by: Lutfur Ali, Assistant Chief Executive)
Minutes: The meeting considered the annual report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2008/09.
Councillor Abdul Asad MOVED and Councillor Lutfur Rahman SECONDED the recommendation as set out in the report.
Councillor Abdul Asad, former Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, introduced the report. After discussion, the recommendation was put to the vote and AGREED. Accordingly it was:-
RESOLVED
That the annual report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2008-09 be noted.
Change to order of business
At this point, Councillor Rania Khan MOVED and Councillor Lutfur Rahman SECONDED – “That under Rule 14.1.3 the order of business be changed to allow motion 11.9 to be considered as the next item of business”
On being put to the vote, the procedural motion was agreed.
11.9 Motion submitted by Councillor Rania Khan regarding using new Licensing powers to close lap dancing venues
The motion as printed in the agenda was moved by Councillor Rania Khan and seconded by Councillor Bill Turner.
Councillor David Snowdon MOVED and Councillor Rupert Eckhardt SECONDED an amendment as follows:-
“Delete all after the word ‘club’ in the first sentence and insert
‘We note that these clubs have proliferated entirely due to legislation passed by this Labour Government during their current period in office.
The council notes that following national representation, changes in licensing of lap dancing clubs are proposed in the Police and Crime Bill, currently passing through Parliament.
The Conservative Party have constantly called on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to provide clearer guidance to local authorities to enable them to use the powers they possess to full effect.
This council notes that:
Baroness Neville Jones, Conservative spokeswoman in the House of Lords is moving for local authorities to have the power to decide whether a lap dancing club is appropriate for their area.
Dominic Grieve MP, Shadow Justice Secretary will be supporting proposals to create a new criminal offence relating to prostitution and tighten controls around lap dancing clubs.
Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, will support Boroughs who want to control the proliferation of lap dancing clubs in their areas.
The council agrees that had the Labour Government listened to the concerns raised when they introduced their licensing laws, then it is unlikely that the country would have seen the proliferation of such premises’.”
Councillor Joshua Peck MOVED and Councillor Bill Turner SECONDED – “That under Rule 15.12.1, the question be now put.” This procedural motion was put to the vote and was agreed.
Councillor Snowdon’s AMENDMENT was then put to the vote and was defeated.
The substantive motion was then put to the vote and was agreed. Accordingly it was:-
RESOLVED
This Council notes that:
· We welcome the Government’s plans to proceed with plans to implement the Bill to give councils more power to halt the proliferation of lap-dancing clubs, the number of which has more than doubled in the past four years to more than 300. · The new Licensing laws allow the Council to ... view the full minutes text for item 8.2 |
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TO RECEIVE REPORTS AND QUESTIONS ON JOINT ARRANGEMENTS AND EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS (if any) There is no business to conduct under this agenda item. Decision: No business under this heading.
Minutes: There was no business under this item.
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OTHER BUSINESS (If any) There is no business to conduct under this agenda item. Decision: No business under this heading.
Minutes: There was no business under this item.
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TO CONSIDER MOTIONS SUBMITTED BY MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL PDF 71 KB The motions submitted by Members for debate at this meeting are attached at agenda item 11. Decision:
11.1 Motion submitted by Councillor Tim Archer regarding ESOL classes at Tower Hamlets College
Councillor Abdul Asad moved, and Councillor Oliur Rahman seconded, an amendment to the motion to delete all words after ‘This Council notes’ and replace the text with all words after ‘This Council notes’ as set out in Motion 11.2 in the agenda on the same subject. On being put to the vote this amendment was agreed.
Councillor Abjol Miah moved, and Councillor Tim Archer seconded, a further amendment to the substantive motion, as set out in Councillor Miah’s name under item 11.2 in the tabled amendments report. On being put to the vote this amendment was defeated.
DECISION
This Council notes:
That the provision of English as a second language (ESOL) training is crucial to social cohesion in Tower Hamlets.
That in the wake of alterations to funding by the Learning and Skills Council, Tower Hamlets College reduced the amount of community based ESOL it delivered
That the College has brought to an end a long-running dispute with unions with only 6 compulsory redundancies from 400 part-time staff.
That the College continues to provide around 1350 ESOL places.
That the Council has committed money from WNF funding to commission around 650 ESOL places. £1.178m from WNF for ESOL over a period of eighteen months (April 2009 – Sept. 2010)
That further funding is being sought which would increase this to around 870 places.
That a Scrutiny Review is due to take place on 27 October to see how the Council can help the College and ensure that ESOL provision continues to reflect the needs of the community.
That the proposal by some members of the opposition to use Council reserves to shore up the College is:
a) Outside the statutory instrument of the Council and therefore technically illegal. b) Not a long term solution to the College’s funding problems as the Council would have to continue filling the black hole in the College’s finances. c) Nothing more than theatricality and cynical manipulation of a serious issue for short-term political gain.
This Council resolves:
To continue working closely with the College to help it overcome its financial issues.
To lobby the government to ensure that Tower Hamlets receives the ESOL funding that is crucial to the social cohesion of the borough.
To continue increasing its own ESOL provision and commissioning to meet the needs of residents with the aim of creating 250 new ESOL places in the next 12 months.
11.3 Motion submitted by Councillor Stephanie Eaton regarding safeguarding the environment
DECISION
Motion defeated.
11.4 Motion submitted by Councillor Abjol Miah in support of a directly elected Mayor
DECISION
Motion defeated.
11.5 Motion submitted by Councillor Rachael Saunders regarding road crossing outside Mile End tube station
DECISION
This Council notes that:
The pelican crossing outside Mile End Tube is extremely dangerous and that there have been five accidents on this stretch of road in the last three years, including one fatality at the beginning of 2009.
Minutes: Motions 11.1/11.2, 11.5, 11.7, 11.9 and 11.11 had been considered at earlier points in the meeting.
11.3 Motion submitted by Councillor Stephanie Eaton regarding safeguarding the environment
Councillor Stephanie Eaton MOVED and Councillor Azizur Rahman Khan SECONDED the motion as set out in the agenda papers
On being put to the vote the motion was defeated.
11.4 Motion submitted by Councillor Abjol Miah in support of a directly elected Mayor
Councillor Abjol Miah MOVED and Councillor Dulal Uddin SECONDED the motion as set out in the agenda papers
Councillor Rachael Saunders MOVED and Councillor Joshua Peck SECONDED – “That under Rule 15.12.1 the question be now put.” This procedural motion was put to the vote and was agreed.
Councillor Miah’s motion was then put to the vote and was defeated.
The Mayor then closed the meeting in accordance with Rule 9 (duration of meeting).
Motions 11.6, 11.8, 11.10, 11.12 and 11.13 as listed below were not considered due to lack of time, the meeting having closed in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9 (Duration of meeting).
11.6 Motion submitted by Councillor Harun Miah regarding ‘ Parking free’ developments
11.8 Motion submitted by Councillor Fozol Miah regarding Overcrowding Strategy
11.10 Motion submitted by Councillor Dulal Uddin regarding Tower Hamlets College strike
11.12 Motion submitted by Councillor Mamun Rashid regarding spending cuts auction
11.13 Motion submitted by Councillor Abdul Munim regarding postal vote debacle.
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