Issue - meetings
TO RECEIVE WRITTEN QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
Meeting: 23/01/2013 - Council (Item 6)
6 TO RECEIVE WRITTEN QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC PDF 59 KB
The questions which have been received from members of the public for this Council meeting are set out in the attached report.
A maximum period of 20 minutes is allocated to this agenda item.
Decision:
6.1 Question from Mr Brian Nicholson regarding progress in recruiting a CEO for the Council.
6.2 Question from Mr Victor William about Weavers Adventure Playground.
6.4 Question from Ms Claire Harrisson about the ‘Old Flo’ Henry Moore sculpture.
6.6 Question from Mr Muhammad Shafique Islam about the Local Government Boundary Review.
6.7 Question from Mr Mohammed Mufti Miah about the impact of the Government Housing Benefit cap.
6.8 Question from Ms Lilian Collins about Poplar Baths.
6.9 Question from Mr Muhammad Haque about the Tower Hamlets People’s Education Life and History Archive.
The above questions and in each case (except where indicated) a supplementary question were put and were responded to by the relevant Executive Member.
Questions 6.3 and 6.5 were not put at the meeting as the questioners were not present. Written responses would be provided to the questions.
(Action by: John S Williams, Service Head, Democratic Services – to arrange written responses)
Minutes:
6.1 Question from Mr Brian Nicholson regarding progress in recruiting a CEO for the Council.
Can the Mayor tell us how the council is progressing with the recruitment of the CEO?
Response by Councillor Alibor Choudhury, Cabinet Member for Resources
Thank you for your question Brian. After 18 months, numerous processes and a number of legal actions at great cost to the Council, the Council has not appointed a CEO despite having good candidates amongst our senior officers.
The good thing is the Council has coped well and the Mayor has been able to continue to deliver on his key priorities. Despite not having a CEO and with the help of a strong senior management team of officers the Mayor has been able to deliver his manifesto pledges, fight the Government cuts, protect front line services and protect residents’ pockets. He has:-
· reintroduced EMA
· frozen Council Tax for four years
· built more homes than any other council in the country
· introduced a replacement 'Aim Higher' scheme
· established an energy cooperative to save residents hundreds of pounds on utility bills; and
· become the first Living Wage borough and is now campaigning for a Living Rent
In these circumstances the Mayor has written to the Group Leaders suggesting that the Council consider saving money by reviewing the need for a CEO post and investing those savings in front line services.
Summary of Supplementary Question from Mr Brian Nicholson
Whilst I am glad to hear that savings are being made, can you confirm to me whether an elected member recently settled a case out of court for a six figure sum and who the officer and Member concerned were?
Summary of Councillor Alibor Choudhury’s response to the Supplementary Question
[Officer note: In responding to the supplementary question Cllr Choudhury proceeded to name a member of the Council and alluded to the identity of a member of staff so as to make them easily identifiable and set out what was a highly inaccurate account of a confidential employment matter to which he, as a member of the executive, was party.
Confidentiality rules prevent the replication of Cllr Choudhury’s answer verbatim.]
6.2 Question from Mr Victor William about Weavers Adventure Playground.
First of all I would like to thank the Mayor for supporting the Weavers Adventure Playground with the MSG grants. We provide an exciting and stimulating environment for children and young people to play, learn, develop and increase their health and wellbeing. We would obviously like to continue our work given the safe, secure and multi-cultural environment that we offer.
It is precisely because of the current climate that our provision is of increasing importance. The impact to families and the community if Weavers has to reduce their opening hours will be enormous. We provide training opportunities for volunteers, many of whom have moved on to full time employment and we encourage participation from parents at all times. Indeed, it is not simply a playground but a vibrant community resource.
In these times of ... view the full minutes text for item 6