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 Rofique Ahmed, Shelina Aktar, Abdul Asad, Craig Aston, Lutfa Begum, Mizanur Chaudhury, Shafiqul Haque, Sirajul Islam, Rabina Khan and Ahmed Omer and for lateness from Councillor Harun Miah
Minutes: Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors Rofique Ahmed, Shelina Aktar, Abdul Asad, Craig Aston, Lutfa Begum, Mizanur Chaudhury, Shafiqul Haque, Sirajul Islam, Rabina Khan and Ahmed Omer and for lateness from Councillor Harun Miah.
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 27th October 2010. The draft minutes are attached. Decision: That the minutes of the ordinary Council meeting held on 27th October 2010 be confirmed as a correct record of the proceedings and the Chair of Council be authorised to sign them accordingly.
Minutes: Councillor Lesley Pavitt noted that the minutes indicated the Lead Member for Housing would be reporting back on progress in relation to Island Homes at this meeting. The Chair of Council advised Members that Mayor Rahman would be making reference to this matter during his report.
RESOLVED
That the minutes of the ordinary Council meeting held on 27th October 2010 be confirmed as a correct record of the proceedings and the Chair of Council be authorised to sign them accordingly.
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TO RECEIVE ANNOUNCEMENTS (IF ANY) FROM THE CHAIR OF COUNCIL OR THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE Decision: No announcements made at this meeting.
Minutes: No announcements were made at this meeting.
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TO RECEIVE ANY PETITIONS PDF 60 KB Details of the petitions received for presentation at this meeting are set out in the attached report. Decision: 5.1 Petition from Tower Hamlets Federation of Tenants and Residents Associations re: secure tenancies and other housing issues
Ms. Eileen Short addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners and responded to questions from Members. The Mayor 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)
5.2 Petition from Tower Hamlets Joint Trade Unions re: cuts in public spending
Mr. John McLoughlin addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners and responded to questions from Members. Councillor Alibor Choudhury, Cabinet Member for Resources, then responded to the issues raised.
DECISION
That the petition 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)
Additional Motion proposed by Councillor Rachael Saunders regarding cuts to public services
Councillor Rachael Saunders moved and Councillor Helal Abbas seconded the suspension of Procedure Rule 13.1 to enable the above motion to be considered without the notice required in the Constitution. The procedural motion was put to the vote and was agreed.
Councillor Rachael Saunders then moved and Councillor Helal Abbas seconded under Procedure Rule 14.1.3 that the order of business be varied to allow the additional motion to be considered as next business. The procedural motion was put to the vote and was agreed.
Motion re: Cuts to public services
Councillor Rachael Saunders moved, and Councillor Helal Abbas seconded a tabled motion.
Councillor Alibor Choudhury moved and Councillor Oliur Rahman seconded an amendment that was defeated.
The original motion was agreed, after a recorded vote, as follows:
DECISION
This Council Notes:
This Council believes
This Council resolves
(Action by: Chris Naylor, Corporate Director, Resources)
5.3 Petition re: Bed closures and job losses at Barts and the London Hospital
Ms. Jackie Turner addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners and responded to questions from Members. The Mayor then responded to the issues raised.
DECISION
That the petition stand referred to the Acting Corporate Director, Adults Health & Wellbeing for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days. ... view the full decision text for item 5. Minutes: 5.1 Petition from Tower Hamlets Federation of Tenants and Residents Associations regarding secure tenancies and other housing issues
At the invitation of the Chair of Council, Ms. Eileen Short addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners and replied to questions from Members of the Council.
Mayor Lutfur Rahman then responded to the petition. He said that during the two years he was Leader, housing was one of the administration's key priorities. He was appalled at the changes being pushed through by the coalition government and felt that with unprecedented cuts, rents rising and the economy still very fragile, residents had enough to worry about without the Government taking away their right to a permanent roof over their heads. The Mayor stated that he would be happy to meet with the petitioners and he and the Cabinet Member for Housing would be looking at ways to work together with members and residents to protect the community over the coming months and years.
RESOLVED
That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
5.2 Petition from Tower Hamlets Joint Trade Unions regarding cuts in public spending
At the invitation of the Chair of Council, Mr. John McLoughlin addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners and replied to questions from Members of the Council.
Councillor Alibor Choudhury, Cabinet Member for Resources then responded to the petition. He thanked Mr. McLoughlin for bringing the petition to the meeting and members of Unison, Unite and GMB for meeting with him and the Mayor recently. Councillor Choudhury stated that the cuts would be a major blow to the Council’s budget with a reduction in grants of 38% but that some Conservative councils would be getting a 30% increase. He would work with the Trade Unions and others who were willing to join him to protect services.
RESOLVED
That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Resources for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
Additional Motion proposed by Councillor Rachael Saunders regarding cuts to public services
At this point Councillor Rachael Saunders MOVED and Councillor Helal Abbas SECONDED - “That Procedure Rule 13.1 be suspended to enable the following motion to be considered without the notice required in the Constitution.
This Council Notes:
This Council believes
This Council resolves
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TO RECEIVE WRITTEN QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC PDF 44 KB The question(s) which have been received from members of the public to be put at the meeting are set out in agenda item 6 attached. A maximum of 20 minutes is allowed for this agenda item. Decision: 6.1 Question from Mrs. Joanne Sandell re: Child Performance Certificates
The above question and an oral supplementary question were put and were responded to by the Mayor
(Action by: Isobel Cattermole, Corporate Director, Children’s Services)
Minutes: 6.1 Question from Mrs. Joanne Sandell re: Child Performance Certificates
“Will the Mayor explain why Tower Hamlets Council takes 10 days to process an application for a Child Performance Certificate when most other Boroughs in London take seven days or less?”
Response of the Mayor
First of all, I think it is fantastic that our young people are taking up opportunities to perform. Helping young people reach their potential is one of my top priorities.
The legislation for the issuing of child performance licenses requires that an application is received at least 21 days before the date of performance. However, the Council is normally able to issue licenses within 10 days of receipt.
I will ask Officers on your behalf to look again at the process and see if there is any way it can be made quicker without compromising on the welfare of our young people.
Summary of supplementary question from Mrs. Sandell:
Most production companies cannot give you 10 days and other boroughs issue the certificates faster, which puts our young performers at a disadvantage.
Summary of the Mayor’s response:
I will definitely look at this again in consultation with the officers.
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ELECTED MAYOR'S REPORT In accordance with the changes to the Council’s Constitution agreed at the meeting on 27th October 2010, provision is made at each ordinary Council meeting for the Elected Mayor to give a report.
A maximum of five minutes is allowed for the Elected Mayor’s report, following which the Chair of Council will give the respective political group leaders an opportunity to respond for up to 1 minute each if they wish. Decision: The Mayor made his report to the Council meeting. The Leader of the Majority Group and the Leader of the Minority Group each responded briefly to the Mayor’s report.
Minutes: The Mayor made his report to the Council meeting. He referred to the cuts that the Government had imposed on Councils. The Mayor pledged his support to frontline services and stated that he had met with the Trade Unions to try and avoid compulsory redundancies. The Mayor reported that his draft budget proposals would be published on 22nd December.
The Mayor also reported back on discussions with Island Homes in accordance with the undertaking given at the last Council meeting. Following that meeting he had instructed officers to provide him with a full report on the issues that residents had been raising for some years. The Corporate Director, Development and Renewal had spoken to the Chief Executive of One Housing Group to express the Mayor’s concern that undertakings around board membership had not been kept and to advise that if this matter was not resolved speedily the Mayor would seek to apply sanctions. The Mayor would himself be meeting senior representatives of One Housing Group in mid January.
Finally, the Mayor informed the Council that, contrary to what had been stated by a Councillor earlier in the meeting, he had not made and then broken any arrangement to meet with the local MPs on a particular day and the Mayor expressed disappointment that the MPs had felt it necessary to issue a misleading press release on this matter.
The Leader of the Majority Group and the Leader of the Minority Group each responded briefly to the Mayor’s report.
Proposed additional motion
At this point, Councillor Ohid Ahmed MOVED and Councillor Alibor Choudhury SECONDED – “That Procedure Rule 13.1 be suspended to enable the following motion to be considered without the notice required by the Constitution:-
‘That the Council expresses its support for the elected Mayor and will work with the elected Mayor in the best interests of the community for the remainder of his term of office.”
The procedural motion was put to the vote and was defeated.
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TO RECEIVE WRITTEN QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL PDF 74 KB The questions which have been received from Councillors to be put at the meeting are set out in agenda item 8 attached. A maximum of 30 minutes is allowed for this agenda item.
The order of questions is as printed in the agenda item and provides for members of the majority and minority groups to put questions in turn. However as agreed by the Council on 27th October 2010, the Chair of Council has discretion, within the 30 minutes allocated for this item, to vary the printed order of questions in order to invite an ‘ungrouped’ Councillor to put his/her questions. Decision: 8.1 Question from Councillor Carlo Gibbs to the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Ohid Ahmed, re: Tower Hamlets Enforcement Officers and the Whitechapel Drinking Control Zone
8.2 Question from Councillor Tim Archer to the Cabinet Member for Resources, Councillor Alibor Choudhury, re: the Council’s Senior Management Team and prudent and effective cost control
8.3 Question from Councillor Amy Whitelock to the Mayor, Lutfur Rahman, re: funding and eligibility criteria for Decent Homes funding
8.4 Question from Councillor Peter Golds to the Mayor, Lutfur Rahman, re: staffing proposals in the Mayor’s Office
8.5 Question from Councillor Rachael Saunders to the Mayor, Lutfur Rahman, re: the Mayor’s correspondence and meetings with the PCT
8.6 Question from Councillor Zara Davis to the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Ohid Ahmed, re: East End Life
8.7 Question from Councillor Anna Lynch to the Mayor, Lutfur Rahman, re: the costs of setting up the Mayor’s Office
Motion: Referral to Overview and Scrutiny Committee
At this point, Cllr Bill Turner moved and Councillor Tim Archer seconded that under Procedure Rule 14.1.4 the matters raised in Councillor Lynch’s question be referred to the Overview & Scrutiny Committee at their next meeting.
The motion was put to the vote and was agreed.
DECISION
That the matters raised in Councillor Lynch’s question be referred to the next meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
(Action by: John S. Williams, Service Head, Democratic Services)
8.9 Question from Councillor Khales Uddin Ahmed to the Mayor, Lutfur Rahman, re: representation of local councillors on the board of Swan Housing Association. (No supplementary question was asked).
8.10 Question from Councillor Dr. Emma Jones to the Mayor, Lutfur Rahman, re: resources to deal with snow this winter
8.11 Question from Councillor Bill Turner to the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Councillor Oliur Rahman, re: Personal Care Contract for disabled children in the borough
The above questions and in each case (except where indicated) a supplementary question, were put and responded to by the Mayor or relevant Cabinet Member.
Question 8.8 was not put as the questioner was not present.
Questions 8.12 to 8.22 were not put as the time allowed for this agenda item had expired. Written responses will be provided to each question.
Motion: Referral to Overview and Scrutiny Committee
In response to a question from a Member, the Chief Executive confirmed that Members’ Enquiries are confidential communications between the Member raising an enquiry and the relevant Council directorate. In view of concerns expressed by some Councillors regarding a possible breach of this confidentiality, the Chief Executive undertook to look into the matters raised and report back to Councillors.
At this point, Cllr Peter Golds moved and Councillor Joshua Peck seconded under Procedure Rule 14.1.4 that following the Chief Executive’s report, the issue of confidentiality of Members’ Enquiries be referred to the Overview & Scrutiny Committee.
The motion was put to the vote and was agreed.
DECISION
That following the Chief Executive’s investigation and report on the matter, the issue of confidentiality ... view the full decision text for item 8. Minutes: 8.1 Question from Councillor Carlo Gibbs
“Can the Deputy Mayor give me an update on the effectiveness of the Tower Hamlets Enforcement Officers since the pilot programme began, particularly with regard to their policing of the Drinking Control Zone in Whitechapel, and whether the Mayor has considered extending the control zone to cover the whole borough?”
Response of the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Ohid Ahmed:
As you will know, Community Safety is one of my top priorities and I take the security of residents very seriously. The Tower Hamlets Enforcement Officers (THEOs) were launched in November 2009 and have been in operation for about a year. They were originally accredited by the Metropolitan Police for a probationary period of 1 year and that has now been extended by a further 3 due to their performance. The Home Office has also singled out THEOs for praise in a recent case study.
With specific reference to Drinking Control Zones, there have been 768 alcohol seizures and 5 persistent problem drinkers have been issued with ASBOs. More importantly, the presence of THEOs has freed Police resources to deal with other problems.
The idea of extending Drinking Control Zones has been considered by previous administrations and feedback from officers indicates that persistent street drinkers are now aware of where they can stand without being able to be moved on with the existing legislation. I am more than happy to meet with Councillors to discuss the pros and cons of this approach.
Summary of supplementary question from Councillor Carlo Gibbs:
We disagree on the general effectiveness of the THEOs but they are effective in Drinking Control Zones. However, displacement occurs in the Whitechapel area and also as a result of neighbouring boroughs’ initiatives. Would the Deputy Mayor look carefully at extending the Drinking Control Zones and giving the THEOs more scope to tackle street drinkers?
Summary of the Deputy Mayor’s response:
I will be very happy to meet with you to discuss this issue. I am sure that the THEO service provides good value for money.
8.2 Question from Councillor Tim Archer
“Will the Lead Member for Resources outline what the council's Senior Management Team is doing in these times of austerity to lead by example when it comes to prudent spending and effective cost control?”
Response of the Cabinet Member, Resources, Councillor Alibor Choudhury
The Mayor intends to drive the savings process to protect frontline services. Corporate Management Team is completely focused on managing our savings agenda so that our key priorities of protecting service outcomes and protecting frontline service jobs are delivered through these testing weeks and months.
As I reported to Cabinet last week, Management team have focused their attention first on delivering savings within the management and administration functions of the Council itself. Over the next three years we will deliver £20 million of savings from reducing management layers in the council, deleting vacant posts, reducing our reliance agency staff and consolidating functions and removing ... view the full minutes text for item 8. |
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REPORTS FROM THE EXECUTIVE AND THE COUNCIL'S COMMITTEES |
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Licensing Policy Review PDF 101 KB The report of the Corporate Director - Communities, Localities and Culture on the three year review of the Council’s Licensing Policy is attached. The draft policy has been subject to a statutory consultation process and was considered by the Licensing Committee on 2nd November 2010. Additional documents: Decision: DECISION
That the Statement of Licensing Policy be adopted and published as set out in Appendix B to the report.
(Action by: Stephen Halsey, Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture)
Minutes: The Council received a report of the Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture on the review of the Council’s Licensing Policy.
Councillor Kabir Ahmed, Chair of the Licensing Committee, MOVED and Councillor Anwar Khan SECONDED – “That the recommendation in the report of the Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture be agreed.”
After debate, the motion was put to the vote and was agreed. Accordingly it was:-
RESOLVED
That the Statement of Licensing Policy be adopted and published as set out in Appendix B to the report.
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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: 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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Mid-year review report on 2010/11 Treasury Management and Investment Strategy PDF 198 KB The mid-year report reviewing treasury management and investment strategy is presented for the Council’s information as recommended by the CIPFA Treasury Management Code of Practice. The report of the Corporate Director, Resources is attached. Decision: DECISION
That the report be noted.
(Action by: Chris Naylor, Corporate Director, Resources)
Minutes: The Council received a report of the Corporate Director, Resources which reviewed the Treasury Management and Investment Strategy that was adopted by the Council in March 2010, as prescribed by the CIPFA Code of Practice on Treasury Management.
A number of Members raised issues relating to the Investment Strategy in the context of the current difficult financial conditions. Councillor Alibor Choudhury, Cabinet Member for Resources, stated that he was continuing to keep this matter under review and would report back as necessary. It was then:-
RESOLVED
That the report be noted.
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Bancroft Local History Library and Archive PDF 79 KB The Council on 27th October 2010 resolved (inter alia) that a report on this matter be brought to the next meeting. The report of the Corporate Director – Communities, Localities and Culture is to follow. Decision: DECISION
That the report be noted.
(Action by: Stephen Halsey, Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture)
Minutes: The Council received a report of the Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture that described the significance of the Bancroft Local History Library and Archive and provided an update on progress regarding its development and future plans for the building and its services.
RESOLVED
That the report be noted.
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Strategic Development Committee: Appointment of Member PDF 66 KB To appoint an ‘ungrouped’ Councillor to serve on the Strategic Development Committee, pursuant to the review of proportionality carried out at the Council Meeting on 27th October 2010. The report of the Service Head, Democratic Services is attached. Decision: DECISION
That Councillor Stephanie Eaton be appointed to serve as an “ungrouped” member on the Strategic Development Committee for the remainder of the Municipal Year 2010/11 or until a successor is appointed, if sooner.
(Action by: John S. Williams, Service Head, Democratic Services)
Minutes: The Council received a report setting out two nominations for a vacant ‘ungrouped’ place on the Strategic Development Committee. No further nominations were made at the meeting and the Council therefore considered the respective nominations in the report.
Following a vote it was:-
RESOLVED
That Councillor Stephanie Eaton be appointed to serve as an “ungrouped” member on the Strategic Development Committee for the remainder of the Municipal Year 2010/11 or until a successor is appointed, if sooner.
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TO CONSIDER MOTIONS SUBMITTED BY MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL PDF 99 KB The motions submitted by Councillors for debate at this meeting are set out in agenda item 12 attached.
Note: Report back on location of meetings
The Council Meeting on 27th October 2010 considered a motion proposed by Councillor Dr. Emma Jones and seconded by Councillor David Snowdon regarding ‘location of meetings’.
Work is underway as set out in the resolution but it has unfortunately not been possible to complete this work in time for a report to be included on the agenda for this meeting. A report on this matter will therefore be presented to the next ordinary Council meeting. Decision: 12.1 Motion proposed by Councillor Denise Jones regarding Bancroft Local History Library & Archive
Councillor Denise Jones moved, and Councillor Bill Turner seconded, the motion as printed in the agenda.
Councillor Peter Golds moved, and Councillor Tim Archer seconded, a tabled amendment to the motion. This amendment was put to the vote and was defeated.
The original motion was put to the vote and was agreed as follows:-
DECISION
This Council believes that:
This Council notes that:
This Council further notes that:
Minutes: 12.1 Motion proposed by Councillor Denise Jones regarding Bancroft Local History Library & Archive
Councillor Denise Jones MOVED, and Councillor Bill Turner SECONDED, the motion as printed in the agenda.
Following debate, Councillor Peter Golds MOVED, and Councillor Tim Archer SECONDED, a tabled amendment to the motion as follows:-
“After ‘This Council believes’ to insert a further bullet point to read ‘The Rich Mix Centre has been an unmitigated disaster and poor value for money for taxpayers’.”
Following further debate, this amendment was put to the vote and was defeated.
Motion: Referral to Overview and Scrutiny Committee
At this point Councillor Tim Archer MOVED, and Councillor Peter Golds SECONDED – “That under Procedure Rule 14.1.4 the issues set out in Councillor Denise Jones’ motion be referred to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.”
This motion was put to the vote and was agreed. Accordingly it was:-
RESOLVED
That the issues set out in Councillor Denise Jones’ motion 12.1 ‘Bancroft Local History Library and Archive’ be referred to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
The original motion moved by Councillor Denise Jones was then put to the vote and was agreed. Accordingly it was:-
RESOLVED
This Council believes that:
This Council notes that:
This Council further notes that:
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