DECISION

1.    To approve the Tower Hamlets Council Strategic Plan for 2022 - 2026 (Appendix 1 to the report), and annual delivery plan for 2022/23 (Appendix 2 to the report).

2.    Note the specific equalities considerations as set out in the plan and paragraph 4 of the report.

3.    Delegate to the Director of Strategy, Improvement and Transformation in consultation with the Mayor and Chief Executive the development of indicators to monitor the impact of the annual delivery plan.

Councillor Saied Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Resources and the Cost of Living, introduced the report which explained how the Mayor's vision and the administration's manifesto was to be translated into a high level policy framework which would also demonstrate how they would be delivered alongside the council’s statutory duties. Councillor Ahmed summarised the eight priorities of the Plan; explained that the Plan is aligned with the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) and that the Mayor would approve a one-year delivery plan for each of the four years covered by the Plan.

Cabinet discussed the report and heard submissions from Councillors. They noted a number of points including:

·         Priority 4: Boost culture, business, jobs and leisure - the focus on boosting local business was welcome. It was important such efforts also included self-employed residents such as taxi drivers.

·         Priority 6: Empower Communities and Fight Crime – this was especially important given that statistics suggest LBTH levels of some crime and ASB categories are amongst the highest in London.

·         Priority 2: Homes for the future – the focus on tackling the housing crisis was welcome. The Council would be supported in its efforts by partners.

The Mayor welcomed the report, thanked officers and lead members for their hard work and expressed a desire that the plan would ensure a high performing Council over the next four years. The Mayor agreed the recommendation as set out in the report.

RESOLVED:

1.    To approve the Tower Hamlets Council Strategic Plan for 2022 - 2026 (Appendix 1 to the report), and annual delivery plan for 2022/23 (Appendix 2 to the report).

2.    To note the specific equalities considerations as set out in the plan and paragraph 4 of the report.

3.    To delegate to the Director of Strategy, Improvement and Transformation in consultation with the Mayor and Chief Executive the development of indicators to monitor the impact of the annual delivery plan.