The Committee received and noted the final report that outlined the evidence, findings and recommendations of the Transparency Commission (Appendix 1 of the report refers), which ran over the course of three Committee meetings in July, September and October 2015. The main points of the discussion maybe summarised as follows:

The Committee:

1.    Welcomed the report which was considered to be thorough and reflected well the key issues and findings of Members;

2.    Heard that in Tower Hamlets, a lack of transparency was an issue identified in the Best Value inspection of the Council in 2014, particularly in relation to decision-making on grants. While the specific problems highlighted in the inspection are being addressed through the Council’s Best Value Action Plan, transparency was also a key theme of the recent local mayoral election, and it remains a matter of real interest and concern to local people;

3.    Heard that The Commission’s evidence-gathering sessions took place at meetings on 27th July, 7th September and 5th October 2015, where it heard from the Mayor, officers, local journalists and bloggers, trade unions, and professional experts involved in improving transparency in other authorities and organisations. It also consulted other sources, and held a public consultation to gauge perceptions of council transparency;

4.    Acknowledged that transparent open data is essential for accountability, and providing access to Council held data can empower individuals, the media, civil society and businesses to achieve better outcomes for themselves and for public services;

5.    Welcomed the recommendation regarding a new process for deciding on the spending of planning contributions that is both open and transparent, and includes resident involvement;

6.    Heard that the challenges for the Council in the coming years are unprecedented. Therefore, there is a need to enhance the role of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to support the Council to meet these challenges, along with the requirements of the Best Value Improvement Plan; 

7.    Wished to see that there was a properly developed dialogue between the community; the Third Sector and the Council to ensure meaningful and lasting change; and

8.    Indicated that with regard to the draft Commission report the following changes be made:

1.    That "where it is appropriate" should be removed from Recommendation 1;

2.    Addition of an Open Data Champion recommendation;

3.    Addition of a recommendation on six-monthly progress updates on open data recommendations (Pages 5 and 25)

4.    Additional brief context on the Best Value Inspection and the Secretary of State's view within the introduction (Page 5).

Accordingly, the Chair Moved and it was:-

RESOLVED

To agree the report and recommendations included in Appendix 1 subject to the amendment referred to in 8 (1) above, for submission to the Mayor in Cabinet.

Melanie Clay, Director, Law, Probity and Governance, introduced the report. She explained that the Mayor had recently agreed this report at Cabinet and she felt that it was important that it be brought to the Standards (Advisory) Committee now for noting.

She highlighted that the report had been the Mayor’s own initiative and that it highlighted a number of issues such as:

·         Improving internal and external communications.

·         Clarity, speed and efficiency of decision making.

·         Public engagement and the role of Scrutiny.

During discussion of the report Members of the Committee raised a number of issues including:

·         Ensuring procurement was open and transparent with good opportunities for local businesses to get involved.

·         Whether the Scrutiny process was being properly supported.

Officers responded to a number of points raised including that:

·         They would look to find out whether the Tower Hamlets Safer Neighbourhood Board was attended by ward representatives and if so how those roles were appointed/selected.

·         Scrutiny should be able to rely on officer advice that was consistent with the advice given to Executive Members and that whilst resources were important, it was also necessary for Scrutiny to choose the areas where it could be most effective.

·         They would determine when a final decision had been taken on the status of the Local Area Partnerships (LAPs).

The Committee expressed the view that they wished to see regular progress updates in relation to the Transparency Protocol.

RESOLVED

1.    That the report be noted.