Agenda, decisions and minutes
Venue: C1, 1st Floor, Town Hall, Mulberry Place, 5 Clove Crescent, London, E14 2BG
Contact: Matthew Mannion, Democratic Services Tel: 020 7364 4651, E-mail: matthew.mannion@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Media
No. | Item | |
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE To receive any apologies for absence. Additional documents: Minutes: Apologies for absence were received on behalf of: · Councillor Sirajul Islam (Statutory Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Housing) · Councillor Abdul Mukit (Cabinet Member for Culture and Youth) · Councillor Denise Jones (Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee) for whom Councillor Danny Hassell was deputising. · Asmat Hussain (Corporate Director, Governance) for whom Sarah Williams (Team Leader Social Care, Legal Services) was deputising.
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DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTERESTS PDF 67 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.
Additional documents: Minutes: There were no Declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests.
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UNRESTRICTED MINUTES PDF 110 KB The unrestricted minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday 27 June 2017 are presented for approval.
Additional documents: Minutes: DECISION
1. That the unrestricted minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday 27 June 2017 be approved and signed by the Mayor as a correct record of proceedings.
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OVERVIEW & SCRUTINY COMMITTEE Additional documents: |
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Chair's Advice of Key Issues or Questions PDF 52 KB Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) to report on any issues raised by the OSC in relation to unrestricted business to be considered.
Additional documents:
Minutes: Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions were received in relation to the following Agenda Items: · 5.1 Housing Capital Projects · 5.5 Improvement and Transformation of Information Communications and Technology · 5.6 Strategic Performance Monitoring – Q4 2016/17
The questions, and responses, were taken as part of the consideration of each item.
In addition Councillor Danny Hassell, Vice-Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, provided an update on their most recent meeting held the previous week. The meeting had discussed a number of issues, including: · Agreeing appointments of Scrutiny Leads and Chairs of Scrutiny Sub-Committees. · Emergency Planning and Civil Contingency – Members were reassured in respect of the thorough systems the Authority had in place but did ask that speed of communication with Members when incidents occurred be examined. Guidance and training for Members would also be useful. · Scrutiny Spotlight on the Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Sirajul Islam. This discussion covered a wide range of issues including; fire risk assessments, procedures for supporting victims of domestic violence, medical priority for housing needs and the housing registration process. · Reviewing the Corporate Revenue and Capital Budget Outturn 2016/17 with the Cabinet Member for Resources, Councillor David Edgar and Neville Murton (Divisional Director, Finance, Procurement and Audit) · A report back from the Scrutiny Challenge Session on Community Cohesion. The report contained six recommendations for action and following discussion the Committee agreed the report for submission. · There had also been a verbal update from the Scrutiny Lead for Children’s Services on the work of the Children’s Improvement Board.
The Mayor thanked Councillor Danny Hassell for his update.
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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). Additional documents: Minutes: Nil items.
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Housing Capital Projects PDF 119 KB Additional documents:
Decision: The Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and responses were noted.
The Exempt Appendix was noted.
DECISION
1. To note the approach to community consultation for schemes in the pipeline;
2. To approve the allocation of a capital budget of £3.30 million for feasibility and preliminary works for the schemes listed in the Housing Capital Pipeline Programme;
3. To authorise the Corporate Director, Place, after consultation with the Corporate Director, Governance, to agree to proceed to award contracts and enter into any agreements required to implement recommendation 2 if so required, subject to tenders being within the approved capital budgets and progress the Housing Capital Pipeline Programme.
Action by: ACTING CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE) (Acting Divisional Manager, Strategic Housing (J. Coker) (Interim Project Manager, Capital Delivery (J. Abraham)
Minutes: The Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and responses were noted.
The Exempt Appendix was noted and agreed as exempt for the following reason as set out in the Appendix:
By virtue of paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 the information in this report is exempt as it relates to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information).
Councillor Rachel Blake, Cabinet Member for Strategic Development and Waste, introduced the report. She stated that this was a giant step forward for the authority in ensuring the provision of properly affordable new housing. The report also set out plans for meaningful engagement with residents and stakeholders as the Council were looking to them to help shape the proposals.
During discussion of the item Councillor Peter Golds, Leader of the Conservative Group, addressed Cabinet. He reported that his group welcomed the report and looked forward to the scheme moving forward as soon as possible.
The Mayor thanked Members for their contributions and welcomed the report. He agreed that it was important to get the consultation process right. He agreed the recommendations as set out in the report.
RESOLVED
1. To note the approach to community consultation for schemes in the pipeline;
2. To approve the allocation of a capital budget of £3.30 million for feasibility and preliminary works for the schemes listed in the Housing Capital Pipeline Programme;
3. To authorise the Corporate Director, Place, after consultation with the Corporate Director, Governance, to agree to proceed to award contracts and enter into any agreements required to implement recommendation 2 if so required, subject to tenders being within the approved capital budgets and progress the Housing Capital Pipeline Programme.
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IDF: Approval of S106 Funding to WorkPath Training PDF 143 KB Additional documents: Decision: DECISION
1. To approve the allocation of £530,244 of S106 funding to the WorkPath Training project as profiled in the PID attached at Appendix A, and in Table 1 of the report.
Action by: ACTING CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE) (Pre-Employment Manager, Growth and Economic Development (C. Coombe)
Minutes: Councillor Joshua Peck, Cabinet Member for Work and Economic Development introduced the report. He explained that the report set out how S106 money would be spent on training for 1,100 residents in skills for specific vocational industries that were currently recruiting. The expectation was that around 80% would be able to move straight into employment. He also specifically highlighted the ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) courses targeted those looking to work in particular industries.
The Mayor welcomed the report and thanked all for their work on this. He stated how important this work was in helping people to continue to live in the Borough as well as the health benefits to those involved. He agreed the recommendation as set out in the report.
RESOLVED
1. To approve the allocation of £530,244 of S106 funding to the WorkPath Training project as profiled in the PID attached at Appendix A, and in Table 1 of the report.
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Council Tax Exemption for Care Leavers PDF 109 KB Additional documents:
Decision: DECISION
1. To agree to fund the Council Tax payable by care leavers taking up accommodation within the Borough and which would be administered through a local council tax discretionary discount scheme under Section 13A(1)(c) of Local Government Finance Act 1992
2. To agree to fund the balance of any Council Tax payable by care leavers taking up accommodation outside the Borough after application of any financial assistance to which they may be entitled under the Local Council Tax Support Scheme of the borough in which they reside.
Action by: CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (Z. COOKE) (Head of Revenue Services (R. Jones)
Minutes: Councillor David Edgar, Cabinet Member for Resources, introduced the report. He highlighted the difficult start in life experienced by many young care leavers and how recent research had suggested this small change for the Council could make a big difference to these young adults.
Councillor Amy Whitelock-Gibbs, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, also welcomed the proposal as a valuable change in demonstrating support to these young people.
The Mayor welcomed the report and the work of Members in supporting the Council’s Corporate Parenting role. He agreed the recommendations as set out in the report.
RESOLVED
1. To agree to fund the Council Tax payable by care leavers taking up accommodation within the Borough and which would be administered through a local council tax discretionary discount scheme under Section 13A(1)(c) of Local Government Finance Act 1992
2. To agree to fund the balance of any Council Tax payable by care leavers taking up accommodation outside the Borough after application of any financial assistance to which they may be entitled under the Local Council Tax Support Scheme of the borough in which they reside.
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Additional documents: Decision: DECISION
1. To agree to the grant of a 125-year lease to the new academy trust for Clara Grant Primary School;
2. To agree to the grant of a 125-year lease to the new academy trust for Stepney Green Maths and Computing College;
3. To authorise the Corporate Director, Place, to agree final terms and conditions for the grant of the new leases for both schools;
4. To authorise the Corporate Director, Place, to agree final terms and conditions with Poplar Harca for the lease of the Clara Grant School nursery class accommodation and sub-lease to the academy trust;
5. To approve the Council to enter into commercial and staffing transfer agreements for both schools;
6. To approve the Council to enter into all other necessary documentation to ensure the liabilities under the PFI arrangements for both schools are transferred to the academies;
7. To authorise the Corporate Director, Children’s Services, after consultation with the Corporate Director, Governance and the Corporate Director, Resources to enter into all other necessary agreements and do all that is necessary for the purposes of the conversion of the two schools;
8. To authorise the Corporate Director, Governance to execute all documentation required to implement the decisions;
9. To authorise the Corporate Director, Resources to execute the Local Government (Contract) Act 1997 Certificate required to implement the decisions
Action by: CORPORATE DIRECTOR, CHILDREN’S SERVICES (D. JONES) (Service Manager, Policy, Programmes and Community Insight (L. Richards)
Minutes: Councillor Amy Whitelock-Gibbs, Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services, introduced the report. She explained that there had been a lot of community discussion about the plans by these schools to convert to Academies but that the Council’s role was restricted to agreeing the technical changes set out in this report. The Council had no power to block the decisions taken by the schools.
There was a general discussion during which local residents expressed concerns about the decisions and the way the consultation processes had been handled by the schools.
The Mayor expressed sympathy for the concerns of the residents but confirmed, following consultation with officers, that the Council had no powers in respect of reviewing the decisions of the schools. He confirmed that the Council would continue to work with these schools to ensure they remained part of the wider Borough community of schools. He agreed the recommendations set out in the report.
RESOLVED
1. To agree to the grant of a 125-year lease to the new academy trust for Clara Grant Primary School;
2. To agree to the grant of a 125-year lease to the new academy trust for Stepney Green Maths and Computing College;
3. To authorise the Corporate Director, Place, to agree final terms and conditions for the grant of the new leases for both schools;
4. To authorise the Corporate Director, Place, to agree final terms and conditions with Poplar Harca for the lease of the Clara Grant School nursery class accommodation and sub-lease to the academy trust;
5. To approve the Council to enter into commercial and staffing transfer agreements for both schools;
6. To approve the Council to enter into all other necessary documentation to ensure the liabilities under the PFI arrangements for both schools are transferred to the academies;
7. To authorise the Corporate Director, Children’s Services, after consultation with the Corporate Director, Governance and the Corporate Director, Resources to enter into all other necessary agreements and do all that is necessary for the purposes of the conversion of the two schools;
8. To authorise the Corporate Director, Governance to execute all documentation required to implement the decisions;
9. To authorise the Corporate Director, Resources to execute the Local Government (Contract) Act 1997 Certificate required to implement the decisions
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Improvement and Transformation of Information Communications and Technology PDF 189 KB Additional documents: Decision: The Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and responses were noted.
DECISION
1. To release up to £16.35m from the ICT Transformation Reserve to improve and transform ICT within the Council.
2. To delegate authority to the Corporate Director, Resources or their nominated officer, after consultation with the Cabinet Member Resources to approve expenditure against the £16.35m,
3. To note that progress on this improvement and investment programme will be reported to the Cabinet through existing performance monitoring and reporting.
Action by: CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (Z. COOKE) (Divisional Director, IT (A. Gorst)
Minutes: The Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and responses were noted.
Councillor David Edgar, Cabinet Member for Resources, introduced the report. He highlighted the importance of long term investment in the Council’s ICT in ensuring good quality services for the public.
The Mayor agreed the recommendations as set out.
RESOLVED
1. To release up to £16.35m from the ICT Transformation Reserve to improve and transform ICT within the Council.
2. To delegate authority to the Corporate Director, Resources or their nominated officer, after consultation with the Cabinet Member Resources to approve expenditure against the £16.35m,
3. To note that progress on this improvement and investment programme will be reported to the Cabinet through existing performance monitoring and reporting.
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Strategic Performance Monitoring - Q4 2016/17 PDF 188 KB Additional documents: Decision: The Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and responses were noted.
DECISION
1. To note progress in delivering the Strategic Plan at the year-end, including those activities that are flagged as delayed and overdue (appendix 2 to the report); and
2. To note the performance of the strategic measures at year-end, including those measures where the minimum expectation has been missed (appendix 3 to the report);
3. To note those activities and measures that require improvement will be referred to the Performance Improvement Board and Overview and Scrutiny Committee where appropriate;
4. To note the targets that have been set for the strategic measures for 2017/18 (appendix 4 to the report).
Action by: CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (Z. COOKE) (Divisional Director, IT (A. Gorst)
Minutes: The Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and responses were noted.
The Mayor introduced the report. He welcomed the performance improvements set out but also noted a number of challenging areas.
There was a general discussion around the Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions during which it was noted that officers had been working on a new performance management framework and it was important that it was clear why particular measures were being scored at particular levels.
The Mayor agreed the recommendations as set out.
RESOLVED
1. To note progress in delivering the Strategic Plan at the year-end, including those activities that are flagged as delayed and overdue (appendix 2 to the report); and
2. To note the performance of the strategic measures at year-end, including those measures where the minimum expectation has been missed (appendix 3 to the report);
3. To note those activities and measures that require improvement will be referred to the Performance Improvement Board and Overview and Scrutiny Committee where appropriate;
4. To note the targets that have been set for the strategic measures for 2017/18 (appendix 4 to the report).
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Contracts Forward Plan 2017/18 Q2 PDF 119 KB Additional documents: Decision: DECISION
1. To note the contract summary at Appendix 1 to the report.
2. To request further information on the following contracts:
a. PL5244 – Vehicle Fleet Procurement – a report to be presented to Cabinet b. AHS5016 – Day Opportunities for Older People – a briefing to be prepared for the Mayor’s Advisory Board who may request a report be presented to Cabinet
3. To agree that the remaining contracts can proceed to contract award after tender.
4. To authorise the Divisional Director, Legal Services to execute all necessary contract documents in respect of the awards of contracts referred to at Recommendation 3 above.
5. To note the procurement forward plan 2017-2022 as set out in Appendix 2 to the report.
Action by: CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (Z. COOKE) CORPORATE DIRECTOR, HEALTH, ADULTS AND COMMUNITY (D. RADLEY) ACTING CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)
Minutes: Councillor David Edgar, Cabinet Member for Resources, introduced the report. He asked Members to highlight which contracts they would wish to receive reports on before they were concluded.
Members discussed the report and requested further information on the contracts relating to the Vehicle Fleet Procurement and Day Opportunities for Older People. In relation to other contracts Members welcomed the planned purchase of two further refuse trucks.
Subject to the changes above, the Mayor agreed the recommendations in the report.
RESOLVED
1. To note the contract summary at Appendix 1 to the report.
2. To request further information on the following contracts:
a. PL5244 – Vehicle Fleet Procurement – a report to be presented to Cabinet b. AHS5016 – Day Opportunities for Older People – a briefing to be prepared for the Mayor’s Advisory Board who may request a report be presented to Cabinet
3. To agree that the remaining contracts can proceed to contract award after tender.
4. To authorise the Divisional Director, Legal Services to execute all necessary contract documents in respect of the awards of contracts referred to at Recommendation 3 above.
5. To note the procurement forward plan 2017-2022 as set out in Appendix 2 to the report.
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List of Individual Mayoral Decisions PDF 86 KB Additional documents:
Decision: DECISION
1. To note the Individual Mayoral Decisions set out in the Appendices to the report.
Action by: COMMITTEE SERVICES MANAGER (M. MANNION)
Minutes: The Mayor introduced the report and noted the Individual Mayoral Decisions set out.
RESOLVED
1. To note the Individual Mayoral Decisions set out in the Appendices to the report.
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ANY OTHER UNRESTRICTED BUSINESS CONSIDERED TO BE URGENT Additional documents: Minutes: Nil items.
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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)
Additional documents: Minutes: Nil items.
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EXEMPT / CONFIDENTIAL MINUTES Nil items.
Additional documents: Minutes: Nil items.
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OVERVIEW & SCRUTINY COMMITTEE Additional documents: |
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Chair's Advice of Key Issues or Questions in Relation to Exempt / Confidential Business Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) to report on any issues raised by the OSC in relation to exempt/confidential business to be considered.
Additional documents: 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). Additional documents: Minutes: Nil items.
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ANY OTHER EXEMPT/ CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS CONSIDERED TO BE URGENT Additional documents: Minutes: Nil items.
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