Agenda, decisions and draft minutes
Venue: Committee Room, 1st Floor, Town Hall, Mulberry Place, 5 Clove Crescent, London, E14 2BG
Contact: Angus Taylor, Democratic Services Tel: 020 7364 4333, E-mail: angus.taylor@towerhamlets.gov.uk
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MR L. RAHMAN (MAYOR) IN THE CHAIR
ADJOURNMENT
At this juncture the Mayor informed those present that before he and his Cabinet proceeded to consideration of the substantive business set out in the agenda, there would be an opportunity for the public to put questions to himself, the Deputy Mayor, and other Members comprising the Cabinet who were present. Accordingly the Mayor agreed the following:
Decision
That the Cabinet adjourn for a short period at 5.40pm, and that the meeting reconvene thereafter.
The meeting adjourned at 5.40pm The meeting reconvened at 5.55pm
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE To receive any apologies for absence.
Decision: Apologies for absence were received on behalf of:
· Councillor Oliur Rahman, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services. · Mr Kevan Collins, Chief Executive, for whom Mr Aman Dalvi, Corporate Director Development and Renewal, was deputising. · Ms Helen Taylor, Corporate Director Adult Health and Wellbeing, for whom Ms Deborah Cohen, Service Head Commissioning and Strategy - Adult Health and Wellbeing, was deputising. · Mr Chris Holme, Service Head Resources - Development and Renewal, deputising for Mr Aman Dalvi, Corporate Director Development and Renewal.
Noted.
Minutes: Apologies for absence were received on behalf of:
· Councillor Oliur Rahman, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services. · Mr Kevan Collins, Chief Executive, for whom Mr Aman Dalvi, Corporate Director Development and Renewal, was deputising. · Ms Helen Taylor, Corporate Director Adult Health and Wellbeing, for whom Ms Deborah Cohen, Service Head Commissioning and Strategy - Adult Health and Wellbeing, was deputising. · Mr Chris Holme, Service Head Resources - Development and Renewal, deputising for Mr Aman Dalvi, Corporate Director Development and Renewal.
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: Councillor S. Haque declared a personal interest in Agenda item 6.1 “Decent Homes Funding Gap Options for 2011-2015“. The declaration of interest was made on the basis that the report contained recommendations relating to funding of the Decent Homes Backlog Programme (a programme of works to bring the condition of the Authority’s housing stock up to the Decent Homes Standard) and Councillor Haque was an LBTH Leaseholder.
Noted.
Action by: ASSISTANT CHIEF EXECUTIVE - LEGAL SERVICES (I. FREEMAN) Interim Committee Services Manager (Operational), Democratic Services, Chief Executive’s (A. Taylor)
Minutes: Councillor S. Haque declared a personal interest in Agenda item 6.1 “Decent Homes Funding Gap Options for 2011-2015“. The declaration of interest was made on the basis that the report contained recommendations relating to funding of the Decent Homes Backlog Programme (a programme of works to bring the condition of the Authority’s housing stock up to the Decent Homes Standard) and Councillor Haque was an LBTH Leaseholder.
Noted.
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UNRESTRICTED MINUTES PDF 159 KB The unrestricted minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Cabinet held on 3rd August 2011 are attached.
Decision: The unrestricted minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Cabinet held on 3rd August 2011 had been circulated for information (Agenda – 7th September Cabinet).
Minutes: The unrestricted minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Cabinet held on 3rd August 2011 had been circulated for information (Agenda – 7th September Cabinet).
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PETITIONS To receive any petitions.
Decision: Nil items.
Minutes: The clerk advised that the Assistant Chief Executive (Legal Services) had received no requests for petitions in respect of the business contained in the agenda.
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OVERVIEW & SCRUTINY COMMITTEE |
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Chair's advice of Key Issues or Questions in relation to Unrestricted Business to be considered To receive any advice of key issues or questions in relation to the unrestricted business to be considered, arising from the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 6th September 2011.
Decision: Nil items.
Minutes: Councillor Jackson, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC), addressed members of the Cabinet: · Advising of key elements of OSC consideration of the report “Strategic Performance and Corporate Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring – Quarter 1 2011/12 (Month 3) report to end of June 2011” to inform Cabinet consideration of the same report: · Reporting OSC deliberations/ response to consultation on a new Sex Establishments Policy for the Authority.
The Mayor thanked Councillor Jackson for presenting the contribution of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
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Any Unrestricted Decisions "Called in" by the Overview & Scrutiny Committee (Under provisions of Article 6 Para 6.02 V of the Constitution).
The following item has been “called in” for further consideration by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its meeting to be held on 6th September 2011. Should the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, upon consideration, refer the item back to the Cabinet for further consideration Members will receive a copy of the report and the decision/ recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at the Cabinet meeting.
(i) The Baishakhi Mela in Banglatown, Brick Lane: transfer to community management.
Decision: 5.2(i) Cabinet Decision “Called in” The Baishakhi Mela in Banglatown, Brick Lane: transfer to community management (CAB 035/112)
Reference from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, held on 6th September 2011, Tabled by the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
Response of Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture to the reference from Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 6th September 2011, Tabled.
Decision
1. That the comments/ advice/ recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, as detailed in the Tabled Reference (CAB 035/112), be noted; and
2. That the provisional decision of the Mayor/Cabinet, made on 3rd August 2011, in relation to theThe Baishakhi Mela in Banglatown, Brick Lane: transfer to community management report (CAB 021/112) be reaffirmed.
Action by: CORPORATE DIRECTOR COMMUNITIES LOCALITIES AND CULTURE (S. HALSEY) Interim Service Head Culture Learning and Achievement, Communities Localities and Culture (H. Bonfield)
Minutes: 5.2(i) Cabinet Decision “Called in” The Baishakhi Mela in Banglatown, Brick Lane: transfer to community management (CAB 035/112)
The Mayor informed members of the Cabinet that: · Councillor Jackson, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC), had Tabled a reference (CAB 035/112) setting out the deliberations of the OSC, held on 6th September 2011, in respect of the decision of the Executive Mayor at Cabinet, on 3rd August 2011, made in relation to the report “The Baishakhi Mela in Banglatown, Brick Lane: transfer to community management” (CAB 021/112), a copy of which would be interleaved with the minutes. · A detailed response to the matters raised by the OSC set out in the tabled reference regarding this agenda item, had been Tabled by the Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture, a copy of which is interleaved with the minutes.
Councillor Jackson, Chair of the OSC, addressed the Mayor and Cabinet members in relation to the tabled reference of the OSC (CAB 035/112), and recommendations made by OSC to refer this matter back to the Cabinet for further consideration as set out in paragraph 6.2 of the reference.
Councillor Asad [Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing] commented that it was acknowledged that were the Authority to continue to run the Baishakhi Mela [“the Mela”] the costs would be considerable, and in this context sought and was given clarification as to the OSC deliberation of alternatives to returning the Mela to community management.
Mr Halsey, Corporate Director Communities Localities and Culture, at the request of the Mayor, addressed the Mayor and Cabinet members in relation to the matters raised by the OSC in the tabled reference and also his tabled response to this, as follows: · Emphasising that what was proposed was not a “contract” for a tendered service, but rather an arrangement granting an organisation the right to manage an event in a park with transitional support from the Authority. · Emphasising that further steps would follow this decision (advertising the opportunity to manage the Mela, detailed bids and shortlisting thereof, selection of an independent panel to assess these and subsequently recommend award to an organisation, allocation of Section 106 funding, agreement of management arrangements) and the process would conclude with submission of a further detailed report for the consideration of the Mayor and Cabinet seeking approval of the final arrangements and award of the right to manage the Mela. · Setting out the rationale for the length of the agreement and confirming the robust monitoring arrangements and inclusion of break clauses (whereby the Authority could terminate the arrangement by withholding use of the open space for the event).
The Mayor: · Thanked Councillor Jackson for presenting the contribution of the OSC. · Commented that he had noted the comments of the OSC, but having reconsidered the previous decision he considered that it was the right decision and rejected the proposals in the reference from the OSC. Accordingly the Mayor agreed the following: ... view the full minutes text for item 5.2 |
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A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE |
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Decent Homes Funding Gap Options for 2011-2015 (CAB 031/112) PDF 144 KB Additional documents: Decision: Decision
1. That the options being proposed to bridge the funding gap for the Decent Homes Backlog Programme in 2011/12, 2012/13, 2013/14 and 2014/15, as outlined in Table 1, paragraph 6.11.2 of the report (CAB 031/112), be agreed;
2. That the Corporate Director Development and Renewal be authorised after consultation with the Corporate Director Resources and Cabinet Members for Housing and Resources to resolve the financing of the Decent Homes funding gap with a view to maximising use of available capital resources both to the HRA business plan and the Authority as a whole and subject to any required confirmation in the annual budget going forward;
3. That the projected overspend on the Donegal and Sovereign phase 2 scheme be noted, and the adoption of an increase of £398,000 in the capital estimate, to be funded from savings elsewhere in the programme, as set out in paragraph 7 of the report (CAB 031/112), be approved; and
4. That the Corporate Director Development and Renewal be authorised, with the agreement of the Assistant Chief Executive (Legal Services), to enter into all necessary documents to implement the decisions made in respect of the report (CAB 031/112). Action by: CORPORATE DIRECTOR DEVELOPMENT AND RENEWAL (A. DALVI) Service Head Housing Strategy Regeneration and Sustainability, Development and Renewal (J. Odunoye) Housing Partnerships Manager, Housing Strategy Regeneration and Sustainability, Development and Renewal (J. Kiwanuka)
Minutes: Councillor S. Haque declared a personal interest in Agenda item 6.1 “Decent Homes Funding Gap Options for 2011-2015“. The declaration of interest was made on the basis that the report contained recommendations relating to funding of the Decent Homes Backlog Programme (a programme of works to bring the condition of the Authority’s housing stock up to the Decent Homes Standard) and Councillor Haque was an LBTH Leaseholder.
Councillor Rabina Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing, at the request of the Mayor, in introducing the report, summarised the key points contained therein. Councillor Khan commended the proposals contained in the report as essential to fulfilling the Mayor’s pledge to fund the entire Decent Homes Backlog Programme thereby ensuring that all those living in the Authority’s housing stock enjoyed housing of a decent standard. It was also important to take up the grant funding as this was likely to be a last opportunity to secure Government funding for investment in social housing.
An option was proposed that the Mayor/ Cabinet agree an additional recommendation to those contained in the report as follows:- · To refer the decisions on the allocation of capital to the Decent Homes Backlog Programme to Full Council, as required by the Authority’s Financial Regulations/ Constitution and set out in paragraph 3.1 of the report.
The Mayor considered and rejected the option proposing the additional recommendation as this was covered in the report which referred to the funding being included in the budget proposals going forward, and agreed the recommendations as set out in the report.
Decision
1. That the options being proposed to bridge the funding gap for the Decent Homes Backlog Programme in 2011/12, 2012/13, 2013/14 and 2014/15, as outlined in Table 1, paragraph 6.11.2 of the report (CAB 031/112), be agreed;
2. That the Corporate Director Development and Renewal be authorised after consultation with the Corporate Director Resources and Cabinet Members for Housing and Resources to resolve the financing of the Decent Homes funding gap with a view to maximising use of available capital resources both to the HRA business plan and the Authority as a whole and subject to any required confirmation in the annual budget going forward;
3. That the projected overspend on the Donegal and Sovereign phase 2 scheme be noted, and the adoption of an increase of £398,000 in the capital estimate, to be funded from savings elsewhere in the programme, as set out in paragraph 7 of the report (CAB 031/112), be approved; and
4. That the Corporate Director Development and Renewal be authorised, with the agreement of the Assistant Chief Executive (Legal Services), to enter into all necessary documents to implement the decisions made in respect of the report (CAB 031/112).
Reasons for Decisions
These are detailed in paragraphs 3.1 to 3.2 of the report (CAB 031/112)
Alternative Options Considered
These are detailed in paragraphs 4.1 to 4.2 of the report (CAB 031/112); and that proposed at the Cabinet meeting in the body of the minute relating to ... view the full minutes text for item 6.1 |
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A PROSPEROUS COMMUNITY Nil items.
Decision: Nil items.
Minutes: The Clerk advised that there were no business to be considered under this section of the agenda.
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A SAFE AND COHESIVE COMMUNITY Nil items.
Decision: Nil items.
Minutes: The Clerk advised that there were no business to be considered under this section of the agenda.
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A HEALTHY AND SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY |
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Additional documents:
Decision: Decision
1. That the contents of the report (CAB 032/112) be noted;
2. That the award of five year contracts for the provision of care and support services in respect of the Extra Care Sheltered Housing schemes at St Thomas House, Stepney and Shipton Street, Bethnal Green to Bidder A, commencing on a date to be determined by the Corporate Director Adults Health and Wellbeing, be agreed;
3. That the Corporate Director, Adults Health and Wellbeing be authorised, after consultation with Assistant Chief Executive (Legal Services), to agree the terms of the contracts referred to at decision 2. above, and
4. That the Assistant Chief Executive (Legal Services) be authorised to enter into all necessary documents to implement the decisions in Section 2 (paragraphs 2.1 to 2.4) of the report (CAB 032/112).
Action by: ACTING CORPORATE DIRECTOR ADULT HEALTH AND WELLBEING (H. TAYLOR) Service Head Commissioning and Strategy, Adults Health and Wellbeing (D. Cohen) Service Manager, Strategic Commissioning, Adults Health and Wellbeing (B. Disney) Strategic Commissioning Manager, Adults Health and Wellbeing (N. Langley)
Minutes: Councillor Abdul Asad, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, at the request of the Mayor, in introducing the report, summarised the key points contained therein.
The Mayor agreed the recommendations as set out in the report.
Decision
1. That the contents of the report (CAB 032/112) be noted;
2. That the award of five year contracts for the provision of care and support services in respect of the Extra Care Sheltered Housing schemes at St Thomas House, Stepney and Shipton Street, Bethnal Green to Bidder A, commencing on a date to be determined by the Corporate Director Adults Health and Wellbeing, be agreed;
3. That the Corporate Director, Adults Health and Wellbeing be authorised, after consultation with Assistant Chief Executive (Legal Services), to agree the terms of the contracts referred to at decision 2. above, and
4. That the Assistant Chief Executive (Legal Services) be authorised to enter into all necessary documents to implement the decisions in Section 2 (paragraphs 2.1 to 2.4) of the report (CAB 032/112).
Reasons for Decisions
These are detailed in paragraphs 3.1 to 3.2 of the report (CAB 032/112)
Alternative Options Considered
These are detailed in paragraphs 4.1 to 4.2 of the report (CAB 032/112)
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ONE TOWER HAMLETS |
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Additional documents:
Decision: Decision
1. That Quarter 1 2011/12 performance be noted;
2. That the Council’s financial position, as outlined in paragraphs 3 and 4 and Appendices 1-4 of the report (CAB 033/112), be noted; and
3. That the budget virements detailed in Appendix 3 to the report (CAB 033/112) be approved.
Action by: CORPORATE DIRECTOR RESOURCES (C. NAYLOR) Service Head Financial Services, Risk & Accountability, Resources (P. Hayday) ASSISTANT CHIEF EXECUTIVE (LEGAL SERVICES) Service Head One Tower Hamlets, Chief Executive’s (M. Keating) Service Manager, Strategy Policy and Performance, One Tower Hamlets, Chief Executive’s (K. Kewin)
Minutes: Councillor Alibor Choudhury, Cabinet Member for Resources, at the request of the Mayor, in introducing the report, summarised the key points contained therein, as follows:- · Highlighting headlines for significant improvements in the Authority’s performance and overall performance. · Indicating the action being taken by the Mayor’s Administration to mitigate underperformance in respect of three high risk measures/ improvement plans where performance was over 10 per cent off target. · Summarising that the Authority was on target to meeting agreed savings targets and therefore deliver services pledges within budget. · Highlighting that growth risks provided for within the Medium Term Financial Plan had materialised and it was now necessary to draw down the provision with the recommended virement. · Advising that significant work remained to be done to monitor/ ensure delivery of £30 million of savings in 2011/12, but also to identify further savings necessary against a backdrop of a 7.8 per cent cut in grant from Central Government and the Government’s failure to deliver promised economic growth.
The Mayor agreed the recommendations set out in the report with the following amendment in relation to recommendation 2.1: “That Quarter 1 2011/12 performance be noted.”
Decision
1. That Quarter 1 2011/12 performance be noted;
2. That the Council’s financial position, as outlined in paragraphs 3 and 4 and Appendices 1-4 of the report (CAB 033/112), be noted; and
3. That the budget virements detailed in Appendix 3 to the report (CAB 033/112) be approved.
Reasons for Decisions
These are detailed in paragraph 2.3 of the report (CAB 033/112)
Alternative Options Considered
These are detailed in paragraph 2.3 of the report (CAB 033/112)
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Recording/ Webcasting Council Meetings (CAB 034/112) PDF 90 KB Decision: Decision
That in relation to future recording and/or webcasting of Council meetings, Option 4, as set out in Section 6 of the report (CAB 034/112), be agreed.
Action by: ASSISTANT CHIEF EXECUTIVE – LEGAL SERVICES (I. FREEMAN) Service Head Democratic Services, Chief Executive’s (J. Williams)
Minutes: Ms Freeman, Assistant Chief Executive (Legal Services), at the request of the Mayor, in introducing the report, summarised the key points contained therein: · Drawing the attention of the Mayor/ Cabinet to the assessment of the positives / negatives of the four options set out in Section 6 of the report and budgetary considerations set out in Section 8. · Advising that were the Mayor to agree Option 3 “full webcasting service” there would be a need to examine the security of this, such as the potential for editing or tampering with the footage on You Tube; and also a need to train councillors so it was used effectively.
An alternative option was proposed that the Mayor/ Cabinet agree Option 3 “full webcasting service”, set out in paragraphs 6.8 to 6.13 of the report, with the associated costs resourced by the reallocation of funding used to provide the Mayoral car and maintain communications posts within the Mayoral Office.
Councillor Ahmed, Deputy Mayor, emphasised that in the context of current financial constraints facing the Authority additional expenditure necessary to implement recording or webcasting Council meetings could not be justified.
The Mayor, considered and rejected the alternative option proposed, and in relation to recommendation 2.1 agreed Option 4 contained in paragraph 6.14 of the report,noting that this decision made it unnecessary to consider the subsequent recommendations 2.2 and 2.3.
Decision
That in relation to future recording and/or webcasting of Council meetings, Option 4, as set out in Section 6 of the report (CAB 034/112), be agreed.
Reasons for Decisions
These are detailed in paragraph 3.1 of the report (CAB 034/112)
Alternative Options Considered
These are detailed in paragraph 4.1 of the report (CAB 034/112); and that proposed at the Cabinet meeting in the body of the minute relating to this item.
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ANY OTHER UNRESTRICTED BUSINESS CONSIDERED TO BE URGENT To consider any other unrestricted business that the Chair considers to be urgent.
Decision: Nil items
Minutes: The Clerk advised that there were no business to be considered under this section of the agenda.
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UNRESTRICTED REPORTS FOR INFORMATION Nil items.
Decision: Nil Items.
Minutes: The Clerk advised that there were no business to be considered under this section of the agenda.
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EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC In view of the contents of the remaining items on the agenda, the Committee is recommended to adopt the following motion:
“That, under the provisions of Section 100A of the Local Government Act, 1972 as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act, 1985, the Press and Public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting for the consideration of the Section Two business on the grounds that it contains information defined as Exempt in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government, Act 1972”.
EXEMPT/CONFIDENTIAL SECTION (PINK)
Decision: The agenda circulated contained no Section Two business (business containing information defined as exempt or confidential in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government, Act 1972). There was therefore no requirement to exclude the press and public, under the provisions of Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985, to allow for consideration of such business prior to the conclusion of the meeting.
SUMMARY OF EXEMPT PROCEEDINGS
Minutes: The agenda circulated contained no Section Two business (business containing information defined as exempt or confidential in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government, Act 1972). There was therefore no requirement to exclude the press and public, under the provisions of Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985, to allow for consideration of such business prior to the conclusion of the meeting.
SUMMARY OF EXEMPT PROCEEDINGS
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EXEMPT / CONFIDENTIAL MINUTES The exempt / confidential minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Cabinet held on 3rd August 2011 are attached.
Decision: Exempt / confidential minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Cabinet held on 3rd August 2011 had been circulated for information (Agenda 7th September 2011 Cabinet).
Minutes: Exempt / confidential minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Cabinet held on 3rd August 2011 had been circulated for information (Agenda 7th September 2011 Cabinet).
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OVERVIEW & SCRUTINY COMMITTEE Decision: Nil items.
Minutes: Nil items.
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Chair's advice of Key Issues or Questions in relation to Exempt / Confidential Business to be considered. Nil items.
Decision: Nil items.
Minutes: Nil items.
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Any Exempt / Confidential Decisions "Called in" by the Overview & Scrutiny Committee (Under provisions of Article 6 Para 6.02 V of the Constitution).
Nil items.
Decision: Nil items.
Minutes: Nil items.
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A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE Nil items.
Decision: Nil items.
Minutes: Nil items.
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A PROSPEROUS COMMUNITY Nil items.
Decision: Nil items.
Minutes: Nil items.
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A SAFE AND COHESIVE COMMUNITY Nil items.
Decision: Nil items.
Minutes: Nil items.
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A HEALTHY AND SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY Nil items.
Decision: Nil items.
Minutes: Nil items.
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ONE TOWER HAMLETS Nil items.
Decision: Nil items.
Minutes: Nil items.
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ANY OTHER EXEMPT/ CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS CONSIDERED TO BE URGENT To consider any other exempt/ confidential business that the Chair considers to be urgent.
Decision: Nil items.
Minutes: Nil items.
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EXEMPT / CONFIDENTIAL REPORTS FOR INFORMATION Nil items.
Decision: Nil items.
Minutes: Nil items.
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