Agenda and minutes
Venue: MP701, 7th Floor, Mulberry Place, 5, Clove Crescent, London E14 2BG
Contact: Elizabeth Dowuona, Democratic Services Tel: 020 7364 4207 E-mail: elizabeth.dowuona@towerhamlets.gov.uk
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DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTERESTS PDF 64 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 Monitoring Officer.
Minutes: There were none.
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To agree the unrestricted minutes of the previous meetings held on 9 December 2015 and 8 February 2016.
Additional documents: Minutes: The minutes of the previous meetings held on 9 December 2015 and 8 February 2016 were agreed as a correct record of the proceedings.
Matters Arising
With respect to the meeting held on 8 February 2016, Councillor Aminur Khan ask that it be put on record that he had confirmed his attendance, however due to transportation delays, the meeting had just ended on his arrival at the Town Hall
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REPORTS FOR CONSIDERATION |
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The report outlines the position at the end of the annual canvass 2015 and provides statistics upon publication of the revised Register of Electors 2016; The detailed preparations in place for the Greater London Authority (GLA) election and EU Referendum 2016; and Identifies the registration plans and activities in place for the Annual Canvass 2016.
Additional documents: Minutes: Louise Stamp, Head of Service, Electoral Services) introduced the report which outlined the position at the end of the annual canvass 2015 and provided statistics upon publication of the revised Register of Electors 2016; The detailed preparations in place for the Greater London Authority (GLA) election and EU Referendum 2016; and Identified the registration plans and activities in place for the Annual Canvass 2016.
ANNUAL CANVASS FEEDBACK 2015
She took Members through the details in the report and highlighted a number of points including that, in relation to the introduction of Individual Electoral Registration in June 2014 the annual canvass in 2015 under the Individual Electoral Registration (IER) during the transitional period.
She reported on the different stages of the canvass, in particular the trial use of mobile tablet devices to capture the information directly into the software system to assist with completing the reminder household enquiry forms. Members asked a number of questions and made various comments on the report. The following points were noted:
· Members found the high return rate from the use of the tablet devices as compared with the traditional paper forms very interesting, noting the high level of confidence the electorate placed on new technology, particularly the perception that it was professional and safe in terms of personal information.
· Members expressed concern about the requirement for residents to confirm people living at an address, then for any new residents to register individually without the provision of identification. They considered that given the allegations of a high level of fraud in the borough, it was important that requesting identification in the registration process should have been routine. Louise Stamp undertook to take on board that it would be prudent to request identification from the registering electorate in order to safeguard the integrity of the process.
· It was noted that it was legal to request identification in the voter’s registration process.
· That residents were contacted by phone or email and data mining with council tax records to ensure that all residents who should be registered at the property were captured before the property could be confirmed as data complete.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE GLA ELECTION – 5 MAY 2016
It was noted that the elections in Tower Hamlets in May and June 2015 were delivered successfully and without challenge. A joint report was prepared in order to provide a legacy of recommendations for future elections in Tower Hamlets. Preparations were underway and are based on best practice and lessons learnt from the two elections conducted in 2015. A number of successful initiatives piloted in the past would be employed for the polls in 2016 and a number of other enhancements introduced.
It was noted that four London boroughs made up the City and East Constituency for the GLA election, Newham (lead), Barking and Dagenham, Tower Hamlets and The City. The Chief Executive was the Borough Returning Officer responsible for the conduct of the election in Tower Hamlets and reports to the Constituency Returning Officer at Newham.
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Application for membership on the Standing Advisory Council for Education PDF 109 KB Additional documents:
Minutes: The report was presented by Hania Franek, Head of School Governance & Information. The report set out for Members the details of an application from Zelda Bailey, on behalf of the British Humanist Association (BHA), for the consideration for full membership of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets SACRE (Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education).
The Committee noted the reasons for the request in a letter dated 17 October 2015, attached at Appendix A of the report. It was underlined that the British Humanist Association wished to be fully involved in discussions and decisions Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education.
RESOLVED -
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Local Authority Governor Applications PDF 95 KB The report sets out for Members the details of applicants who have expressed an interest in being appointed to local authority school governor positions at Tower Hamlets schools. The Committee is asked to endorse or reject the nominations for appointments set out in the report.
Minutes: The report was introduced by Hania Franek, Head of School Governance & Information, who advised that none of the applications before the Committee was contentious.
It was noted that Members had no objections to the applications submitted.
RESOLVED -
(1) That the applicants for re-appointment to Local Authority School Governor positions as set out in the report be noted.
(2) That the applications for Local Authority
Governors as detailed in the report be approved as
follows: · That Rob Crothers be nominated for re-appointed as a governor at Morpeth School under the 2012 School Governance (Constitution) Regulations.
· That Darren Milgate be nominated for re-appointed as a governor at Cyril Jackson School under the 2012 School Governance Regulations.
· That Mr Mohammed Abdur Rahman be nominated for appointment as a governor at Bow School under the 2012 School Governance Regulations.
· That Ms Catherine Fisher be nominated for appointment as a governor at Harry Gosling School under the 2012 School Governance Regulations.
· That Ms Alexandra Ploussard be nominated for appointment as a governor at St Agnes School under the 2012 School Governance Regulations.
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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 SECTION (Pink Papers)
The exempt committee papers in the agenda will contain information, which is personally sensitive and should not be divulged to third parties. If you do not wish to retain these papers after the meeting, please hand them to the Committee Officer present.
Minutes: RESOLVED –
That in accordance with 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 on the grounds that the remaining agenda item contained information defined as exempt or confidential in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.
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LOCAL AUTHORITY GOVERNOR APPOINTMENTS EXEMPT APPENDICES The report sets out for Members the details of applications of applicants who have expressed an interest in being appointed to local authority school governor positions at Tower Hamlets schools.
Minutes: The appendices were noted.
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