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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ELECTION OF MAYOR To elect a Councillor to serve as Mayor of the Borough until 21 October 2010, and then (following the election on that date of a Directly Elected Mayor of Tower Hamlets) as Chair of Council until the Annual Council Meeting in May 2011.
(Note: Section 4 and Schedule 2 of the Local Government Act 1972 provide that the election of Mayor shall be the first item of business transacted at the Annual Meeting of the Council and that in the case of an equality of votes, the person presiding at the meeting shall give a casting vote in addition to any s/he may have.) Decision: DECISION
That Councillor Motin Uz-Zaman be elected to hold office as Mayor of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets until 21st October 2010 and then, following the change on that date to a directly elected mayoral system, as Chair of Council until the Annual Meeting of the Council on 18th May 2011.
(Action by: John S. Williams, Service Head, Democratic Services)
Minutes: The Mayor, Councillor Ahmed Adam Omer, in the Chair
MAYOR’S OPENING ADDRESS
The Mayor, Councillor Ahmed Adam Omer, welcomed all present to the annual meeting of the Council.
Councillor Omer addressed the meeting about his year of office. He said that it had been a privilege to serve as the Mayor of the Borough. Highlights of a good year had included meeting the former Mayoress of Stepney of 1938. During his term of office, the Mayor’s charity account had raised over £30,000 for his two charities, Bangladesh Parents and Carers Association and St. Margaret’s Settlement. Councillor Omer had been proud to attend many Citizenship Ceremonies and he urged everyone to work together regardless of age, ability and colour towards the vision of One Tower Hamlets.
Councillor Helal Abbas paid tribute to Councillor Omer on behalf of the Council and Councillors Peter Golds, Stephanie Eaton and Harun Miah also addressed the meeting about his year in office and echoed Councillor Abbas’s comments.
The Mayor then called for nominations to serve as Mayor of Tower Hamlets for the coming year.
It was MOVED by Councillor Helal Abbas, SECONDED by Councillor Joshua Peck and
RESOLVED
That Councillor Motin Uz-Zaman be elected to hold office as Mayor of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets until 21st October 2010 and then, following the change on that date to a directly elected mayoral system, as Chair of Council until the Annual Meeting of the Council on 18th May 2011.
Councillors Helal Abbas and Joshua Peck then came forward to witness the Mayor signing the statutory declaration of acceptance of office.
The Mayor, Councillor Motin Uz-Zaman in the Chair
The incoming Mayor then addressed the meeting. He paid tribute to Councillor Ahmed Omer and thanked Members of the Council for electing him as Mayor which would be a daunting but exciting challenge. He welcomed the distinguished guests and thanked everyone for their support. The Mayor introduced the Mayoress, his wife Mrs. Nargis Bahar, who would be accompanying him at his engagements. He said the borough was made up of many nationalities and cultures and those residents had entrusted their confidence in Members to make the correct decisions to enable high quality services and opportunities for all residents in a time of scarce resources.
The Mayor informed the Council that during his term of office he would be raising funds for two charities – HEMS, the Helicopter Emergency Medical Services, which was the first air ambulance in the UK to provide a 24/7 emergency service; and the Thesis Trust, which aimed to relieve poverty and distress among the Bangladeshi community in Tower Hamlets and help young people to get the opportunity of an education.
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ELECTION OF DEPUTY MAYOR To elect a Councillor to serve as Deputy Mayor of the Borough until 21 October 2010 and then as Deputy Chair of Council until the Annual Council Meeting in May 2011. Decision: DECISION
That Councillor Anna Lynch be elected to hold office as Deputy Mayor of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets until 21st October 2010 and then, following the change on that date to a directly elected mayoral system, as Deputy Chair of Council until the Annual Meeting of the Council on 18th May 2011.
(Action by: John S. Williams, Service Head, Democratic Services)
Minutes: It was MOVED by Councillor Helal Abbas, SECONDED by Councillor Joshua Peck and
RESOLVED
That Councillor Anna Lynch be elected to hold office as Deputy Mayor of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets until 21st October 2010 and then, following the change on that date to a directly elected mayoral system, as Deputy Chair of Council until the Annual Meeting of the Council on 18th May 2011.
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE To receive any apologies for absence. Decision: Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Carli Harper-Penman and Rania Khan.
DECISION
That the apologies be noted.
Minutes: Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Carli Harper-Penman and Rania Khan.
RESOLVED
That the apologies 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: No declarations of interest were made.
Minutes: No declarations of interest were made.
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To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Council held on 24 March 2010.
The draft minutes are attached. Decision: DECISION
That the minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Council held on 24th March 2010 be confirmed as a correct record of the proceedings and the Mayor be authorised to sign them accordingly.
(Action by: John S. Williams, Service Head, Democratic Services)
Minutes: RESOLVED
That the minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Council held on 24th March 2010 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 (IF ANY) FROM THE MAYOR OR THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE Decision: No announcements were made.
Minutes: No announcements were made.
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ELECTION OF LEADER To elect a Councillor to serve as Leader of the Council until the introduction of the Directly Elected Mayor form of executive on 21 October 2010. Decision: DECISION
That Councillor Helal Abbas be elected to serve as Leader of the Council until 21st October 2010, when the new directly elected mayoral system will be introduced.
(Action by: John S. Williams, Service Head, Democratic Services)
Minutes: Councillor Joshua Peck MOVED, Councillor Anwar Khan SECONDED and it was
RESOLVED
That Councillor Helal Abbas be elected to serve as Leader of the Council until 21st October 2010, when the new directly elected mayoral system will be introduced.
Councillor Peter Golds and Councillor Stephanie Eaton congratulated Councillor Abbas on his appointment as Leader of the Council.
Councillor Abbas then addressed the meeting. He thanked the Council for their support and also paid tribute to those former Councillors who had retired at the recent council elections for their service to the borough. Councillor Abbas went on to outline his priorities for his term of office and urged all Councillors to work together over the coming months to ensure that the Council was able effectively to represent and protect the borough’s communities through what was likely to be a challenging period.
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APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY LEADER AND CABINET MEMBERS To note any appointments made by the Leader of the Council to the positions of Deputy Leader of the Council and Members of the Cabinet (to follow). Decision: DECISION
That the Council notes the appointment, by the Leader of the Council, of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Members to serve until 21st October 2010 or until otherwise notified by the Leader, whichever is the sooner, as follows:-
Councillor Joshua Peck - Deputy Leader of the Council Councillor Shahed Ali – Lead Member, Environment Councillor David Edgar – Lead Member, Resources Councillor Marc Francis – Lead Member, Housing, Heritage and Planning Councillor Sirajul Islam – Lead Member, Regeneration and Employment Councillor Denise Jones – Lead Member, Culture and Creative Industries Councillor Shiria Khatun – Lead Member, Children’s Services Councillor Rachael Saunders – Lead Member, Health & Wellbeing Councillor Abdal Ullah – Lead Member, Community Safety
(Action by: John S. Williams, Service Head, Democratic Services)
Minutes: RESOLVED
That the Council notes the appointment, by the Leader of the Council, of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Members to serve until 21st October 2010 or until otherwise notified by the Leader, whichever is the sooner, as follows:-
Councillor Helal Abbas: Leader of the Council (Chair of Cabinet) Councillor Joshua Peck: Deputy Leader of the Council (Vice-Chair of Cabinet) Councillor Shahed Ali: Lead Member, Environment Councillor David Edgar: Lead Member, Resources Councillor Marc Francis: Lead Member, Housing, Heritage and Planning Councillor Sirajul Islam: Lead Member, Regeneration and Employment Councillor Denise Jones: Lead Member, Culture and Creative Industries Councillor Shiria Khatun: Lead Member, Children’s Services Councillor Rachael Saunders: Lead Member, Health & Wellbeing Councillor Abdal Ullah: Lead Member, Community Safety
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COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP, REVIEW OF PROPORTIONALITY AND ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMITTEES AND PANELS PDF 58 KB To note the membership of the Authority following the council elections on 6 May 2010; undertake a review of proportionality and agree the allocation of places on the committees and panels of the Council for the municipal year 2010-11.
The report of the Service Head, Democratic Services is attached. Decision: DECISION
1. That the Council notes the membership of the Authority following the Council Elections held on 6th May 2010 and the review of proportionality as set out at section 3 of the interleaved report of the Service Head, Democratic Services.
2. That the Committees and Panels of the Council be established for the Municipal Year 2010/11 and the allocation of places to groups be agreed as set out in the table below:-
Committees/panels covered by the requirement for proportionality:
Committee not covered by the requirement for proportionality:
3. That Part 3 of the Council’s Constitution be amended as necessary to reflect the changes agreed to the membership of the committees and panels.
(Action by: John S. Williams, Service Head, Democratic Services)
Minutes: Change to order of business
Councillor Joshua Peck MOVED and Councillor Helal Abbas SECONDED – “That under Rule 14.1.3 the order of business be changed to allow items 9, 10, 11 and 13 to be considered at the same time.”
On being to the vote, the procedural motion was carried.
Councillor Peter Golds MOVED, and Councillor Tim Archer SECONDED, an AMENDMENT to item 11 – “That this meeting agrees to an additional council meeting to be held on Wednesday 27th October, following the election of the Executive Mayor which will be in advance of the first Cabinet meeting to be held under the Mayor system.
This meeting also calls for an urgent meeting of the Constitution Working Party to make appropriate amendments to be approved on 27th October.”
Councillor Helal Abbas said that he was happy to accept this as a friendly amendment. He also amended the circulated schedule under item 13 to nominate Councillor Mizanur Rahman Chaudhury as the Deputy to the London Councils Culture, Tourism and 2012 Forum.
On being put to the vote, the recommendations as amended above were agreed and accordingly it was:-
RESOLVED
1. That the Council notes the membership of the Authority following the Council Elections held on 6th May 2010 and the review of proportionality as set out at section 3 of the interleaved report of the Service Head, Democratic Services.
2. That the Committees and Panels of the Council be established for the Municipal Year 2010/11 and the allocation of places to groups be agreed as set out in the table below:-
Committees/panels covered by the requirement for proportionality:
Committee not covered by the requirement for proportionality:
3. That Part 3 of the Council’s Constitution be amended as necessary to reflect the changes agreed to the membership of the committees and panels.
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APPOINTMENTS TO COMMITTEES AND PANELS OF THE COUNCIL To appoint members to the committees and panels of the Council established at item 9 above, in accordance with the nominations submitted by the political groups (to follow). Decision: DECISION
1. That Members and Deputy Members be appointed to the Committees and Panels of the Council for the Municipal Year 2010/11 as set out in the tabled schedule appended to the minutes.
2. That Councillor Mizanur Rahman Chaudhury be appointed as the Olympics Ambassador.
(Action by: John S. Williams, Service Head, Democratic Services)
Minutes: RESOLVED
1. That Members and Deputy Members be appointed to the Committees and Panels of the Council for the Municipal Year 2010/11 as set out in the tabled schedule appended to these minutes at Appendix A.
2. That Councillor Mizanur Rahman Chaudhury be appointed as the Olympics Ambassador.
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PROGRAMME OF MEETINGS 2010/11 PDF 38 KB To confirm the programme of Council, committee and other meetings for the municipal year 2010/11.
The report of the Service Head, Democratic Services is attached. Additional documents: Decision: DECISION
1. That an additional Council meeting be held on Wednesday 27th October 2010, following the election of the Executive Mayor which will be in advance of the first Cabinet meeting to be held under the Mayoral system.
2. That subject to (1) above, the revised programme of meetings for 2010/11 be agreed; and
3. That an urgent meeting of the Constitutional Working Party be held to make appropriate amendments to the Constitution to be approved on 27th October 2010.
(Action by: John S. Williams, Service Head, Democratic Services)
Minutes: RESOLVED
1. That an additional Council meeting be held on Wednesday 27th October 2010, following the election of the Executive Mayor which will be in advance of the first Cabinet meeting to be held under the Mayoral system.
2. That subject to (1) above, the revised programme of meetings for 2010/11 be agreed; and
3. That an urgent meeting of the Constitutional Working Party be held to make appropriate amendments to the Constitution to be approved on 27th October 2010.
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APPOINTMENT OF POLITICAL ADVISORS PDF 36 KB To determine whether the Council will appoint Political Advisors under the provisions of section 9 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 for the duration of the current administration; and if so, to agree the arrangements for such appointments.
The report of the Service Head, Democratic Services is attached. Decision: DECISION
1. That the posts of Political Assistants (known as Political Advisors) to the Labour Group and the Conservative Group be re-established for the duration of the current administration in accordance with Section 9 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.
2. That the Political Advisor posts be re-established as previously on the basis of a full-time post to support the Labour Group and a half-time post to support the Conservative Group.
(Action by: John S. Williams, Service Head, Democratic Services)
Minutes: In response to a Member’s question, the Service Head, Democratic Services confirmed that, notwithstanding the change to an elected mayoral system on 21st October 2010, the Council could agree the appointment of political advisors to support the Majority and Minority Groups for the duration of the administration to May 2014.
Councillor Helal Abbas MOVED, Councillor Joshua Peck SECONDED and it was:-
RESOLVED
1. That the posts of Political Assistants (known as Political Advisors) to the Labour Group and the Conservative Group be re-established for the duration of the current administration in accordance with Section 9 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.
2. That the Political Advisor posts be re-established as previously on the basis of a full-time post to support the Labour Group and a half-time post to support the Conservative Group.
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APPOINTMENTS TO LONDON COUNCILS COMMITTEES AND FORUMS PDF 40 KB To appoint members to serve as the Council’s representatives on committees and forums established by London Councils.
The report of the Service Head, Democratic Services is attached. Decision: DECISION
That the Council agree to the appointment of Members and Deputy Members to the London Councils committees and forums as listed in the tabled schedule appended to the minutes, subject to the amendment of the Deputy nomination to the Culture, Tourism and 2012 Forum from Councillor Amy Whitelock to Councillor Mizanur Rahman Chaudhury.
(Action by: John S. Williams, Service Head, Democratic Services)
Minutes: RESOLVED
That the Council agree to the appointment of Members and Deputy Members to the London Councils committees and forums as listed in the tabled schedule appended to these minutes, subject to the amendment of the nomination as Deputy to the Culture, Tourism and 2012 Forum from Councillor Amy Whitelock to Councillor Mizanur Rahman Chaudhury.
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