The Chief Executive addressed the meeting.

He thanked the outgoing Speaker, Councillor Ayas Miah and congratulated the new Speaker Councillor Victoria Obaze.

He also congratulated Tower Hamlets Homes on winning landlord of the year and gaining other accolades at the UK Housing Awards.  Poplar HARCA and Swan Housing were also recognised. He also reported that Ofsted were due to commence their Inspection of Children’s social care services in June.

He also advised of the progress that had been made with recruitment to the posts of:

•           Divisional Director, Housing.

•           Divisional Director, Planning and Building Control.

•           Divisional Director, Finance, Audit and Procurement.

Turning to the European Elections, he provided a brief update in respect of the preparation work underway.

The Chief Executive addressed the meeting.

He thanked Members, officers and political parties for ensuring that the milestones for the 2018 Mayoral and local election were reached and overcome successfully. The Council had also received a positive visit from Ofsted, had been shortlisted for two MJ awards and were preparing for the Local Government Association Peer challenge in June

He welcomed Warwick Tomsett to the Council as the new Joint Director of Integrated Commissioning who would start in July 2018. This was a joint appointment with the Clinical Commissioning Group. He also welcomed Richard Baldwin, the new Director of Children’s Social Care. He thanked Nancy Meehan for her significant contributions to the Council as the Interim Divisional Director of Children’s Social Care