To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillor Lutfa Begum and for lateness from Councillor Tim O’Flaherty.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillor Lutfa Begum and for lateness from Councillor Tim O’Flaherty.

RESOLVED

That the apologies for absence be noted.

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.

Please see minutes.

Councillors made declarations of interest in items included on the agenda as follows:

To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Council held on 9^th December 2009.

DECISION

That the minutes of the meeting held on 9^th December 2009 be confirmed as a correct record of the proceedings and the Mayor be authorised to sign them accordingly.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 9^th December 2009 be confirmed as a correct record of the proceedings and the Mayor be authorised to sign them accordingly.

(a)       Tower Hamlets Young Mayor 2010

Please see minutes.

(1)               Haiti earthquake

The Mayor referred to the catastrophic earthquake that had taken place in Haiti on 12^th January.  Estimates suggested that up to three million people had been affected by this terrible event and the death toll may exceed 150,000.  He asked Members to join him in expressing shock and sadness at the suffering caused to so many people and behalf of the Council he sent his deepest sympathy to those affected and to residents of the borough who may have family or other connections with the stricken area. 

(2)               Excellent rating by the Equalities Commission

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Lutfur Rahman, was pleased to inform Members that the Council had been rated as “excellent” by the Equalities Commission.  The Council had also been ranked 7^th best in the country in relation to promoting equality of opportunity for LGBT staff and work was on track to meet the workforce to reflect the community targets.  He congratulated all the staff and Members that had been involved in this work. 

(3)               Extreme weather conditions

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Lutfur Rahman, said that even during the coldest winter for 40 years, the Council had kept schools open and roads gritted despite pressures on the supplies.  Tower Hamlets had performed better than its neighbouring boroughs.  He thanked staff and the Lead Member for their hard work.

(4)               Knife crime

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Lutfur Rahman, said that over the last few weeks the borough had seen a spate of knife crime and sadly an 18 year old youth had died.  Although levels of such crime were lower in Tower Hamlets that in some other parts of London, the Council was determined to do everything possible to combat knife crime and the growing issues around it.  A scrutiny session on knife crime was to commence shortly.

(5)               Holocaust Memorial Day

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Lutfur Rahman, informed the Council that the meeting was taking place on Holocaust Memorial Day.  It had been 65 years since 12 million people were slaughtered by the Nazi regime in Germany.  Many Jewish people had sought refuge in the borough and it was important both to commemorate those who died and to ensure that the terrible events could never be repeated.   With the permission of the Mayor the Leader asked that the Council stand in a minutes silence in memory of the millions of victims of the holocaust as well as those who had lost their lives in the Haiti earthquake.

Members, officers and the public rose from their seats and observed a minute’s silence.

(6)               Young Mayor elections

The Mayor introduced the new Young Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Landry Adelard, and his team of Deputy Mayors who had been elected the previous week.  He invited the outgoing Young Mayor, Uma Akther, to address the Council about her year in office.  Ms. Akther gave a presentation about her time as the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The valid petitions and deputations received for presentation to the meeting are set out in the report at agenda item 5.

Any further valid petitions or deputations received before the deadline in the Council’s constitution will be tabled at the meeting.

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: Broomfield Street proposed development:  This petition was withdrawn and referred instead to the Development Committee as a planning application has now been received in respect of the proposed development.    

5.1.2       Petition re: the withdrawal of parking permits at 38 & 40 Horseferry Road and 53 Narrow Street

Ms. Selda Bicer 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: Canton Street garages

Mr. Declan Purcell 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)

5.1.4       Petition re: installation of CCTV in and around Parkview Estate

Ms. Johanna Kashcke 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: East End Homes Leaseholders & Freeholders Association

Mrs. Gloria Thienel 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: Aman Dalvi, Corporate Director, Development and Renewal)

5.2.2       Deputation re: Pitsea Estate youth facilities

Mr. Mahbud Alam and Mr. Abdul Malik 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 outstanding matters within 28 days.

(Action by: Isobel Cattermole, Interim Corporate Director, Children, Schools and Families)

PETITIONS

5.1.1       Petition re: Broomfield Street proposed development

This petition was withdrawn and referred instead to the Development Committee as a planning application had been received in respect of the proposed development.   

5.1.2       Petition re: the withdrawal of parking permits at 38 & 40 Horseferry Road and 53 Narrow Street

At the invitation of the Mayor, Ms. Selda Bicer addressed the meeting in support of the petition.  She then responded to questions from the Members of the Council. 

Change to order of business

At this point, Councillor Ajbol Miah MOVED and Councillor Dulal Uddin SECONDED – “That under Rule 14.1.3 the order of business be changed to allow motion 11.5 to be considered after item 5.1.2.”

On being to the vote, the procedural motion was lost.

Councillor Marc Francis, Leader Member for Housing and Development, said that following his own discussions with Ms Bicer last year, Council Officers had looked into the concerns of residents at 38-40 Horseferry Road.   There was a section 106 legal agreement signed by the developer Newlon Housing which specified that the development is "car free".   This was agreed and signed in 1999.   The obligation is on the developer – Newlon - in these instances to inform potential occupiers that the development is car free and they will not be allowed on-street parking permits.

However, in the light of the concerns that these tenancies were not advertised by LBTH as being subject to a Car Free Zone agreement, the Lead Member had requested that officers review this matter.   His personal view was that he did not think it was appropriate for the Council to enforce the CFZ on these tenants.  However, the council clearly would need to ensure that any such decision was legally watertight.  He hoped to have a report back on the way forward in the next month.

In the meantime, the Head of Parking Services had agreed that tenants would be entitled to re-new their Residents Street Parking Permits for another year.

RESOLVED

That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.

5.1.3       Petition re: Canton Street garages

At the invitation of the Mayor, Mr. Declan Purcell addressed the meeting in support of the petition.  Mr. Purcell and a colleague responded to questions from Members of the Council. 

Councillor Marc Francis, Lead Member for Housing and Development, said that no planning application had yet been received in relation to the conversion of the garages in Canton Street into housing.   However, Poplar HARCA had told the Council that they were proposing to convert these garages and that they were currently undertaking some more public consultation with local residents.  If Poplar HARCA decided to apply for planning permission to convert these garages it would be dealt with in the normal way via the planning application determination route which would involve further consultation.

RESOLVED

That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

(Maximum of 30 minutes allowed)

The questions which have been received are set out in agenda item 6 attached.

6.1             Question from Ms. Caroline Kerswell to the Lead Member for Cleaner, Safer, Greener, Councillor Abdal Ullah re: dangerous dogs

6.2             Question from Mr. Terry McGrenera to the Lead Member for Cleaner, Safer, Greener, Councillor Adal Ullah re: recycling

6.5       Question from Ms. Amy Whitelock to the Leader of the Council, Councillor Lutfur Rahman re: restoring bus service to Tesco, Bromley-by-Bow

The above questions and oral supplementary questions where put, were responded to by the relevant Lead Members.

Questions 6.3 and 6.4 as listed in the agenda were not put as the questioners were not in attendance.  Written responses will be forwarded to the questioners.

(Action by: John S. Williams, Service Head, Democratic Services)

6.1             Question from Ms. Caroline Kerswell to the Lead Member for Cleaner, Safer, Greener, Councillor Abdal Ullah

“In light of my recent attack by a Rottweiler, I want to know what the council are doing about dangerous dogs. Apparently there are only four animal wardens in the area and you did not issue a single fine for the dog fouling last year.  Is there any plans to re-examine this policy and put further budget aside?  My police call was never even responded on and I had to contact the dog warden separately.”

Response by the Lead Member, Councillor Abdal Ullah

There are 4 Animal Wardens currently operating in Tower Hamlets dealing with the full range of animal welfare and control issues. Chief amongst those are dog-fouling enforcement, investigation of nuisance and anti-social behaviour caused by irresponsible dog-ownership, picking up and receiving of stray dog and the maintenance of the dog-pound in Mile End Park. The team successfully enforced the law relating to dog-fouling by way of prosecutions and formal cautions against over 100 dog-owners last year. The enforcement figures have run around this level now for many years.

Over the last few years the Service has come under increasing pressure due to a significant change in dog-ownership in the Borough. This mirrors a nationwide trend with bull-terrier type dogs becoming the predominant breed and young, often disaffected, men often being the owners. These dogs are referred to as 'status dogs'  which reflects the sense that many of the young men have low self-esteem and a feel they have no stake in society. The ownership of these large, aggressive and intimidating dogs affords them some status.

There has been and continues to be a steady increase in the number of dogs in the Borough, with a disproportionate number of them being potentially dangerous bull-terrier type breeds including pit bulls. Many of the dogs are thought to be banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act [DDA].

The expertise to identify 'banned breeds' is maintained by the Police Dog Legislation Officers although the Council is looking at the opportunities for our Wardens to develop  this capability also. The DDA includes an offence of allowing a dog to be 'dangerously out of control' which again is primarily a matter for the Police to investigate. Although, as in the incident which precipitated this question, aggrieved parties will also notify our Officers. 

As a result of the prevalence of these 'dangerous dogs'  and the commensurate increase in both aggressive behaviour and  public perception of such, our Wardens have become increasingly aware of  the growing problems associated with their ownership and more involved in investigations relating to them.  

The number of stray dogs has increased dramatically over the last 12 months as has the number of dogs 'gifted' to the Dog Warden Service for re-homing. This is as a direct consequence of the growth in ownership of status dogs and the Council taking over the responsibility to receive stray dogs outside of normal office hours. In  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

(Maximum of 30 minutes allowed)

The questions which have been received are set out in agenda item 7 attached.

Due to the lack of time, questions 1 – 25 were not put. Written responses will be forwarded to the questioners.

(Action by: John S. Williams, Service Head, Democratic Services)

Due to the lack of time, questions 1 – 25 were not put. Written responses would be forwarded to the questioners.

There is no business to consider under this item.

There was no business under this agenda item.

There was no business under this agenda item.

There is no business to consider under this item.

There was no business under this agenda item.

There was no business under this agenda item.

There is no business to consider under this item.

There was no business under this agenda item.

There was no business under this agenda item.

The motions submitted by Members of the Council for debate at this meeting are attached at agenda item 11.

11.3    Motion proposed by Councillor Marc Francis regarding Olympic legacy and affordable housing

The motion as published in the agenda was agreed as follows.

DECISION

This Council notes:

• The commitment of the Government, Mayor of London and Olympic Delivery Organisation (ODA) to delivering a lasting legacy to the people of London resulting from the 2012 Games.
• The creation of the Olympic Legacy Company to deliver this pledge.
• The use of £1 billion of public money by the London Development Agency (LDA) to purchase land for the Olympic sites. 
• That there are almost 100,000 households on council housing waiting lists in the five ‘Olympic boroughs’.

Given this level of housing need, this Council believes:

·        That the current policy of 35 per cent ‘affordable’ housing (split 50/50 between social rented and ‘intermediate’) is inadequate and unacceptable as only 17 per cent of the homes built are likely to be of benefit to those on housing waiting lists. 

This Council therefore resolves to:

·        Call on the Government and Mayor of London to instruct the ODA and Olympic Legacy Company to require that 50 per cent of all new homes built on the Olympic site should be affordable (split 70/30 social rented, including council housing, and intermediate), in order to ensure a real housing legacy for Londoners.

(Action by:  Aman Dalvi, Corporate Director, Development and Renewal)

11.4    Motion proposed by Councillor Tim Archer regarding East End Homes Leaseholders and Freeholders Association

Councillor Marc Francis moved, and Councillor Lutfur Rahman seconded, an amendment to the motion to delete text after “This Council notes” and replace with text as tabled at the meeting.  This was agreed and the substantive motion as amended was then agreed as follows.

DECISION

This Council notes:

-          East End Homes is a resident-led housing association, with six tenants and two leaseholders on its Board;

-          East End Homes took on some of those council estates suffering most from the historic under-investment in council  housing;

-          East End Homes has been assessed as being a Two-Star “Good” organisation by the independent Audit Commission;

-          The dissatisfaction expressed by some leaseholders and freeholders of East End Homes;

-          The formation of the borough-wide East End Homes Leaseholders and Freeholders Association (EEHLFA);

-          That East End Homes is committed to working to establish a constructive relationship with EEHLFA and has invited representatives to its Board meeting on 28^th January.

This Council believes that:

-          Genuine engagement, transparency and accountability are the key to achieving a high quality housing management service and improving Value for Money for leaseholders and tenants alike;

-          Democratically-elected local Estate Management Boards are an essential component of the governance arrangements at East End Homes;

-          A good working relationship with other groups set up to represent residents of East End Homes would be a positive step forward;

-          Increased involvement with EEHLFA would help address the concerns of some of East End Home’s freeholders and leaseholders.

This Council therefore resolves to:

Encourage the Board of East End Homes  ...  view the full decision text for item 11.

Motions 11.3, 11.4, 11.9 and 11.12 had been considered at earlier points in the meeting.

The Mayor then closed the meeting in accordance with Rule 9 (Duration of meeting).

Motions 11.1, 11.2, 11.5, 11.6, 11.7, 11.8, 11.10 & 11.11 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).

11.1         Motion submitted by Councillor Abjol Miah regarding parking policy in Tower Hamlets

11.2         Motion submitted by Councillor Stephanie Eaton regarding reducing carbon emissions by 10% in 2010

11.5    Motion submitted by Councillor Dulal Uddin regarding car free zones

11.6    Motion submitted by Councillor Ohid Ahmed regarding reducing carbon emissions

11.7         Motion submitted by Councillor Fozol Miah regarding Housing Policy

11.8         Motion submitted by Councillor Joshua Peck regarding increasing access to transport for older residents

11.10  Motion submitted by Councillor Alex Heslop regarding support for the co-operative and social enterprise sector

11.11  Motion submitted by Councillor Mamun Rashid regarding youth facilities