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 were received on behalf of Councillors Shafiqul Haque, Harun Miah and Joshua Peck.
Minutes: Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors Shafiqul Haque, Harun Miah and Joshua Peck.
RESOLVED
That the apologies be noted.
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DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST PDF 48 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 14th July 2010. Decision: DECISION
That the minutes of the ordinary Council meeting held on 14th July 2010 be confirmed and signed as a correct record of the proceedings and the Mayor be authorised to sign them accordingly.
Minutes: RESOLVED
That the minutes of the ordinary Council meeting held on 14th July 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, LEADER OF THE COUNCIL, MEMBERS OF THE CABINET OR THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE Decision: Please see minutes.
Minutes: The Mayor reminded Members of his forthcoming Charity Ball to be held on 5th October.
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TO RECEIVE ANY PETITIONS OR DEPUTATIONS PDF 48 KB The petitions and deputations received for presentation to the meeting are set out in agenda item 5 attached.
The deadline for receipt of petitions and deputations to this Council meeting is noon on Thursday 9th September. Any further valid petitions or deputations received before the deadline will be notified in advance of the Council meeting. Decision: PETITIONS
5.1.1. Petition re: Closure of Inside Out Health & Wellbeing Ltd.
Ms. Sapna Begum and Mr. Duncan Victorin addressed the meeting in support of the petition. Members asked questions of the petitioners and the Lead Member then responded to the issues raised.
DECISION
That the petition be referred to the Acting Corporate Director, Adult Health & Wellbeing for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
(Action by: Helen Taylor, Acting Corporate Director, Adult Health & Wellbeing)
5.1.2 Petition re: transfer of property at 63a Sewardstone Road, E2
Ms. Ruth Allan addressed the meeting in support of the petition. Members asked questions of the petitioner and the Lead Member then responded to the issues raised.
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)
DEPUTATIONS
5.2.1 Deputation re: publication of Council expenditure
Mr. Neil King addressed the meeting on behalf of the deputation. Members asked questions of the deputation and the Lead Member then responded to the issues raised.
DECISION
That the deputation be referred to the Corporate Director, Resources for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
(Action by: Chris Naylor, Corporate Director, Resources)
5.2.2 Deputation re: Tower Hamlets Core Strategy
Ms. Lucy Rogers and Mr. Mark Taylor addressed the meeting on behalf of the deputation. Members asked questions of the deputation and the Lead Member then responded to the issues raised.
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)
Minutes: PETITIONS
5.1.1. Petition re: Closure of Inside Out Health & Wellbeing Ltd.
At the invitation of the Mayor, Ms. Sapna Begum and Mr. Duncan Victorin addressed the meeting in support of the petition explaining what the centre provided to the local community. They then responded to questions from Members of the Council.
Councillor Rachael Saunders, Lead Member for Health and Wellbeing thanked the Ms. Begum and Mr. Victorin for bringing the petition to her attention. Inside Out had applied for £90,000 grant funding for a three year period. Over thirty organisations applied for this limited funding stream, with scores applied in accordance with set criteria. Although Inside Out did not score highly against these criteria, Councillor Saunders stated that Councillor Khan had told her of the good service that was provided and that she and the Interim Corporate Director, Adults Health and Wellbeing would be happy to speak further with the petitioners and their Ward Councillors.
RESOLVED
That the petition be referred to the Acting Corporate Director, Adults Health & Wellbeing for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
5.1.2 Petition re: transfer of property at 63a Sewardstone Road, E2
At the invitation of the Mayor, Ms. Ruth Allan addressed the meeting in support of the petition making reference to a briefing note that Members had received separately. She then responded to questions from Members of the Council.
Councillor David Edgar, Lead Member Resources, said that the property had not been transferred to the Grand Union Co-op for a number of reasons, amongst which was a lengthy period of illegal occupation. The Council had recently informed the Co-op that due to the length of time that had passed and the substantial changes experienced in both policy and economic terms over that period, the Council wished to review the arrangements made in 2001, and intended to bring revised proposals regarding this property to Cabinet in the Autumn. The Council would fully explore any proposals from the Co-op.
RESOLVED
That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
DEPUTATIONS
5.2.1 Deputation re: publication of Council expenditure
At the invitation of the Mayor, Mr. Neil King addressed the meeting on behalf of the deputation. He then responded to questions from Members of the Council.
Councillor David Edgar, Lead Member, Resources, said that the Council was happy to publish the information and that this would be implemented from January 2011 in line with the Government’s requirements.
RESOLVED
That the deputation be referred to the Corporate Director, Resources for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
Change to order of business
At this point, Councillor Zara Davis MOVED and Councillor David Snowdon SECONDED – “That under Rule 14.1.3 the order of business be changed to allow item 11.2 to be considered as the next item of business.”
The procedural motion was put to the vote and was defeated.
5.2.2 Deputation re: Tower Hamlets ... view the full minutes text for item 5. |
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TO RECEIVE WRITTEN QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC PDF 44 KB (Maximum of 30 minutes allowed)
The questions which have been received from members of the public are set out in agenda item 6 attached. Decision: 6.1 Question from Mr. Ian Godfrey to the Lead Member for Housing, Heritage and Planning, Councillor Marc Francis re: parking at Roman Road Market, Bow
The above question and an oral supplementary question were put and were responded to by the Lead Member.
(Action by: John S. Williams, Service Head, Democratic Services)
Minutes: 6.1 Question from Mr. Ian Godfrey to the Lead Member for Housing, Heritage and Planning, Councillor Marc Francis
“What reports or consultations were conducted into the need for shoppers’ parking at the Roman Road market in Bow, before the Council decided that the 140 space Safeway site car park could be sold off for private flats?”
Response of the Lead Member, Councillor Marc Francis
The scheme referred to in the question is for a mixed use development at the site of 2 Gladstone Place, and will comprise 208 residential units of which 62 will be affordable. The proposal will also include 2390sqm of food retail, 297sqm of non-food retail accommodation. The new supermarket will greatly improve the shopping offer in the area, attract more people to the Town Centre and further support the street market.
The 140 car parking spaces mentioned were originally intended for use by visitors to the previous Safeway store and granted planning permission according to the planning standards of the day. These standards were not required to address the levels of traffic congestion and related pollution in the vicinity of the site. Modern Council parking standards for new retail provision, however, do not allow for additional parking for retail units. This is in line with national, regional and Council policy. This planning application was accompanied, as it must be, by a transport assessment and this work was based on the current parking standards.
The applicants did not survey whether there was a need for retaining this level of shoppers parking as they did not need to do so. However, they did consider all the parking options available in the area and the good level of transport accessibility. While the retail development does not have to provide any parking spaces to meet the standard, it was considered by the applicant that 30 pay and display parking spaces would be provided for all visitors to the site and Roman Road market.
There was a great deal wrong with the council’s handling of this issue, particularly it’s premature disposal of its leasehold interest in the site, but I’m afraid I do not agree that the reduction in car park spaces is one of them.
Summary of supplementary question from Mr. Godfrey:
Why are you going against the Council’s Core Strategy for development? Principle number one for Bow states “Bow should be promoted as a place suitable for families with terraced housing that offers private back gardens”, not high rise blocks.
Summary of Lead Member’s response:
I am not going to comment on a planning committee decision that has been made, but we need more affordable housing in this area and just as importantly, a new supermarket to deliver major benefits. There are 30,000 people living in Bow and this population can sustain both the market and a new supermarket.
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TO RECEIVE WRITTEN QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL PDF 66 KB (Maximum of 30 minutes allowed)
The questions which have been received from Councillors are set out in agenda item 7 attached. Decision: 7.1 Question from Councillor Judith Gardiner to the Lead Member for Children’s Services, Councillor Shiria Khatun re: GCSE results
7.2 Question from Councillor Zara Davis to the Lead Member for Children’s Services, Councillor Shiria Khatun re: GCSE results
7.3 Question from Councillor Kosru Uddin to the Lead Member for Environment, Councillor Shahed Ali re: recycling
7.4 Question from Councillor Gloria Thienel to the Lead Member for Housing, Heritage and Planning, Councillor Marc Francis re: new lettings policy
7.5 Question from Councillor Aminur Khan to the Lead Member for Community Safety, Councillor Abdal Ullah re: community safety initiatives and CCTV in Whitechapel
7.6 Question from Councillor Peter Golds to the Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Joshua Peck re: CCTV facility in the Council Chamber (Councillor David Edgar, Lead Member for Resources, responded to this question in Cllr Peck’s absence)
7.7 Question from Councillor Amy Whitelock to the Lead Member for Housing, Heritage and Planning, Councillor Marc Francis re: the likely effects of cuts to Housing Benefit and ending of lifetime tenancies
7.8 Question from Councillor David Snowdon to the Lead Member for Culture & Creative Industries, Councillor Denise Jones re: library services on the Isle of Dogs
7.9 Question from Councillor Alibor Choudhury to the Lead Member for Health and Wellbeing, Councillor Rachael Saunders re: steps to tackle childhood obesity in the borough
The above questions, and oral supplementary questions, were responded to by the relevant Lead Members.
Due to the lack of time, questions 7.10 – 7.19 were not put. Written responses to be forwarded to the questioners.
(Action by: John S. Williams, Service Head, Democratic Services)
Minutes: 7.1 Question from Councillor Judith Gardiner to the Lead Member for Children’s Services, Councillor Shiria Khatun
“Can the Lead Member tell us how Tower Hamlets’ students did in their GCSE and A-Level exams this year and how this compares to previous years?"
Response of the Lead Member:
Tower Hamlets students performed very well indeed in their GCSE and A-level exams this year, and I want to congratulate all of them, their parents, and their teachers. 99% of our young people got at least 1 GCSE, and the latest figures show that 75% got 5 GCSEs at grades A*-C. This is a huge improvement on last year’s score of 66%. In addition, for the first time, more than half our young people – 51% - got 5 GCSEs at grades A*-C including English and maths. This is also a strong improvement on last year’s figure of 46%. At A-level, the average ‘point score’ per pupil was 635.4 points, up a little from 631 points last year. The average score per exam entry was 204.9, a significant rise from 191.6 last year.
Summary of supplementary question from Councillor Judith Gardiner:
Do you agree that this superb achievement reflects both the hard work of schools, teachers and parents and the excellent work done by this Council in addressing social disadvantage; and that it is a bit rich for a Government that are petrified of sending their children to state schools to be making cuts to benefits and education services for working people?
Summary of Lead Member’s response:
I totally agree with the sentiment. I am a product of a state school in Tower Hamlets and I send my children to state schools and I am proud of that.
7.2 Question from Councillor Zara Davis to the Lead Member for Children’s Services, Councillor Shiria Khatun
“In the light of this year’s A Level results in Tower Hamlets, which shows that the percentage of entries achieving an A grade is significantly below the national average, what measures are being taken by the Council and the schools and colleges in the borough to deliver a drastic improvement?”
Response of the Lead Member:
Our A-level results this year have improved on last year’s, but we know there is still more to do. We are working with schools and with Tower Hamlets college to develop an improvement plan which promotes improved teaching and learning, better tracking and use of data and a wider course offer. We meet termly for 16-19 Planning and Review sessions which review performance and agree improvement priorities. We are also using data better to track areas of concern, and have widened the work of the School Improvement Partners (who have helped make a big difference to school results) to include an agreed focus on post-16 performance. As well as this, we have been expanding the provision in the borough, with the establishment of the Cambridge Heath Sixth Form, and plans developing for another sixth form collaborative in the east of the borough, which you ... 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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LDF Core Strategy: Adoption of the Plan PDF 89 KB To adopt the Local Development Framework Core Strategy to be a part of the Borough’s Development Plan. The report of the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal is attached.
The Core Strategy forms part of the Council’s Policy Framework and will be considered by the Overview & Scrutiny Committee (7 September) and Cabinet (8 September) before adoption by Council. Any further comments or recommendations arising from those meetings will be circulated to Members before the Council meeting.
Appendix 1 to the attached report (the Core Strategy document itself) was circulated separately to all Councillors prior to the cycle of meetings at which it is scheduled for consideration. Members are requested to bring this document with them to the Council meeting as it forms part of the agenda papers for the meeting. The document is also available for public inspection at the Town Hall, Mulberry Place, E14 and on the ‘Council Meetings’ section of the Council’s website at www.towerhamlets.gov.uk. Additional documents:
Decision: Councillor Marc Francis moved and Councillor Helal Abbas seconded the recommendations in the report circulated with the agenda. The report of the Cabinet meeting held on 8th September was tabled.
DECISION
1. That the Council note the Inspector’s Report and Annexes and the tabled report of the Cabinet meeting held on 8th September; and
2. That the Local Development Framework Core Strategy (including the Inspector’s required amendments) be adopted to be a part of the borough’s Development Plan.
(Action by: Aman Dalvi, Corporate Director, Development and Renewal)
Minutes: The report of the Cabinet meeting held on 8th September was tabled.
Councillor Marc Francis MOVED and Councillor Helal Abbas SECONDED - “That the recommendations in the report circulated with the agenda be agreed.”
Following discussion, the recommendations were put to the vote and were agreed. Accordingly it was:-
RESOLVED
1. That the Council note the Inspector’s Report and Annexes and the tabled report of the Cabinet meeting held on 8th September; and
2. That the Local Development Framework Core Strategy (including the Inspector’s required amendments) be adopted to be a part of the borough’s Development Plan.
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Review of the Constitution: Recommendations of the Constitution Working Party PDF 256 KB The report of the Constitution Working Party proposing amendments to the Council’s Constitution is to follow. Decision: DECISION
That the report of the Constitution Working Party be withdrawn for further work and consultation to be carried out prior to re-submission to the Council meeting to be held on 27th October 2010.
(Action by: John S. Williams, Service Head, Democratic Services)
Minutes: Councillor Helal Abbas MOVED and Councillor David Edgar SECONDED – “That the item be withdrawn for further work and consultation to be carried out prior to re-submission to the Council meeting to be held on 27th October 2010.”
RESOLVED
That the report of the Constitution Working Party be withdrawn for further work and consultation to be carried out prior to re-submission to the Council meeting to be held on 27th October 2010.
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TO RECEIVE REPORTS AND QUESTIONS ON JOINT ARRANGEMENTS AND EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS (if any) Decision: There was no business under this heading.
Minutes: There was no business to be considered under this heading.
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OTHER BUSINESS |
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London Local Authorities (Travel Concessions) Bill PDF 109 KB To consider a proposal by London Councils that the authority, alongside the other London Boroughs, approve the deposit and passage of the above Private Bill in Parliament. The report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Legal Services) is attached. Decision: DECISION
That the Council adjourn the consideration of the report until the next meeting on 27th October 2010.
(Action by: John S. Williams, Service Head, Democratic Services)
Minutes: The Chief Executive informed Members that the Council had been contacted by London Councils advising that following discussions between the Mayor of London, TfL and London Councils that there was now a need for further dialogue on this matter. He therefore asked that the Council agree to adjourn consideration of the report until the next meeting on 27th October 2010.
The Mayor asked if Members agreed to this adjournment of consideration. On being put to the vote, this was agreed.
RESOLVED
That the Council adjourn consideration of the report until the next meeting on 27th October 2010.
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Local Government Ombudsman findings against the Council PDF 72 KB The report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Legal Services) is attached. Additional documents:
Decision: DECISION
1. That the report and the findings of maladministration against the Authority by the Local Government Ombudsman in respect of the investigation attached to the report to the Strategic Development Committee of the 10th November 2009 be noted.
2. That the Authority accepts the recommendations in full and instructs officers to make the relevant payments of compensation to the complainant and to instruct independent valuers to carry out the comparative valuation set out in the Ombudsman’s report.
(Action by: Isabella Freeman, Assistant Chief Executive (Legal Services)
Minutes: Councillor Marc Francis MOVED and Councillor Helal Abbas SECONDED – “That the recommendations set out in the report be agreed.”
The recommendations were put to the vote and were agreed, with no Member voting against, Accordingly it was:-
RESOLVED
1. That the report and the findings of maladministration against the Authority by the Local Government Ombudsman in respect of the investigation attached to the report to the Strategic Development Committee of the 10th November 2009 be noted.
2. That the Authority accepts the recommendations in full and instructs officers to make the relevant payments of compensation to the complainant and to instruct independent valuers to carry out the comparative valuation set out in the Ombudsman’s report.
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TO CONSIDER MOTIONS SUBMITTED BY MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL PDF 56 KB The motions that have been submitted by Councillors for debate at this meeting are set out in agenda item 11 attached. Decision: 11.1 Motion proposed by Councillor Tim Archer regarding the Henry Moore sculpture
Councillor Denise Jones moved, and Councillor Anwar Khan seconded, a tabled amendment to the motion. This was agreed and the substantive motion as amended was then agreed as follows:
DECISION
This Council notes that:
This Council believes that:
This Council resolves:
(Action by: Stephen Halsey, Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture)
11.2 Motion proposed by Councillor Zara Davis regarding publication of Council expenditure
Councillor David Edgar moved, and Councillor Helal Abbas seconded, an amendment to the motion to add additional text under “Council notes” and replace the first bullet point under “Council resolves”. This was agreed and the substantive motion as amended was then agreed as follows:
DECISION
This Council notes:
· The Government will soon require all councils to publish expenditure above £500; · Many councils across London including Islington, Wandsworth, Hammersmith & Fulham and Richmond Councils are already publishing all payments over £500. · The Government set out its intention in the summer to issue a draft Code of Practice on payments over £500 in September for consultation followed by a final Code of Practice in November so that councils are able to publish this information in January 2011. · Draft Local Spending Data Guidance on publishing this data was issued on 10 September and this guidance is expected to be revised in six month’s time. Councils are expected to publish data to the minimum standards within six months of the publication of the guidance.
This Council believes:
· That residents have a right to know how the Council is spending taxpayers’ money and to be able to access this information quickly and easily; · That ... view the full decision text for item 11. Minutes: 11.1 Motion proposed by Councillor Tim Archer regarding the Henry Moore sculpture
The motion as printed in the agenda was MOVED by Councillor Tim Archer and SECONDED by Councillor Peter Golds.
Councillor Archer tabled a letter from the Canary Wharf Group confirming that the Group would be prepared in principle to provide a site for the statue and pay the cost of its relocation, which would therefore be facilitated at no cost to the authority.
Councillor Denise Jones MOVED and Councillor Anwar Khan SECONDED a tabled AMENDMENT to the motion as follows:
“Delete all and replace with
This Council notes that:
This Council believes that:
This Council resolves:
At this point, Councillor Lutfur Rahman MOVED and Councillor Ohid Ahmed SECONDED – “That under paragraph 15.11.4 the question be now put.”
The procedural motion was put to the vote and was agreed.
The amendment moved by Councillor Denise Jones was put to the vote and was agreed, with no Member voting against.
The substantive motion as amended was then put to the vote and was agreed with no Member voting against. Accordingly it was:-
RESOLVED
This Council notes that:
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