The Speaker of the Council, Councillor Victoria Obaze in the Chair

The Speaker of the Council reported that since the previous Council meeting in September, she had participated in a variety of engagements. These included:

•           The London in Bloom Awards, where Tower Hamlets received a number of awards.

•           Black History Month events - including attending the opening of the Nollywood Film Festival and holding a charity dinner.

•           National Democracy week events to highlight the importance of democracy and what it means.

•           A sea cadet event commemorating the Battle of Trafalgar followed by the Annual Civic Service in Westminster Abbey.

•           Participating in Remembrance Services and fundraising activities for the Poppy Appeal.

•           A meeting with the Princess Royal, Princess Anne at a lunch to mark the Corporation of Trinity House links with the City of London.

•           Meeting with the Duchess of Cornwall on her visit to Mulberry School for Girls.

•           A range of other events, including the Costermongers’ Harvest Festival and parade and a charity cycle ride for the 2021 census.

Looking ahead, the Speaker drew attention to her forthcoming Charity Ball on Wednesday 4th December 2019, and looked forward to visiting schools in the Borough.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of:

•           Councillor Mufeedah Bustin

•           Councillor James King

•           Councillor Ehtasham Haque

•           Councillor Kyrsten Perry

•           Councillor Eve McQuillian

•           Councillor Dan Tomlinson

Apologies for lateness were received on behalf of Councillor John Pierce.

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.

The following Councillors declared a Non - Disclosable Pecuniary interest that the Council has decided should be registered

•           Councillor Asma Begum - agenda item 8.1, Member Question regarding the London City Airport. This was on the basis that Councillor Begum was an Authority appointed Member of the London City Airport Consultative Committee.

•           Councillor Asma Islam - agenda item 8.1, Member Question regarding the London City Airport. This was on the basis that Councillor Islam was a Trustee of the London City Airport Fund

•           Councillor Bex White agenda item 8.1, Member Question regarding the London City Airport. This was on the basis that she lived under the flight path of the airport.

Following a request from a large number of Members who had interests in agenda item 11.1 (Motion regarding restoring Fairness to the Leaseholder System)  the Monitoring Officer agreed to grant a dispensation to Councillors with a leaseholder Interest in respect of the Item,  under Section C, Paragraph 32 of the Code of Conduct for Members.

As a result of this, Councillors with a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in this item did not need to declare this and would be able to stay in the meeting room, participate in the discussion and vote on the item

To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 18^th September 2019.

RESOLVED:

1.         That the unrestricted minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on Wednesday 18 September 2019 be confirmed as a correct record the Speaker be authorised to sign them accordingly.

On behalf of Chief Executive, the Corporate Director, Health, Adults and Community, Denise Radley made a number of announcements.

With great regret, she reported the sad passing of Andy Scott, the Council’s Head of Economic Development. His funeral took place yesterday.

Turning to staffing matters, she was pleased to welcome to the Council, Michael Rourke - as the new Divisional Director, Property and Major Programmes.

She was also pleased to report that the Council had been shortlisted for:

•           A number of Local Government Chronical Awards covering: the Council’s Air Quality Action Plan, care services, the Exploitation Team, the Communities Driving Change programme, the Public Health Asthma Partnership and communications for Children’s Services

•           An award for Communications Team of the year.

It was also reported that the Commination Team recently won a Government Communication Service award for their Summer Activities Campaign.

The Council Procedure Rules provide for a maximum of four petitions to be discussed at an Ordinary Meeting of the Council.

The attached report presents the received petitions to be discussed. Additional petitions received are listed to be noted but not discussed.

5.1 Petition regarding Save Our Youth Centre

Geneva Blissett addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners, and responded to questions from Members.

Councillor Danny Hassell, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Young People then responded to the matters raised in the petition. He advised of a new initiative to deliver street based activities in the Bow West area to ensure the continued availability of youth services, following the decommissioning of the provider for the Youth Centre

He also advised that the Council is currently carrying out a review of  youth services, with the longer term aim of providing more detached youth work as well as youth hubs.

RESOLVED:

1.         That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Children and Culture, for a written response within 28 days.

5.2 Petition regarding Trees for Mile End

Nicholas Caulkett addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners, and responded to questions from Members. Councillor David Edgar, Cabinet Member for Environment then responded to the matters raised in the petition.

He reported that the Council recognised the importance of tree planting in helping address climate change. A tree survey had been carried out by the Council recently. This revealed that some of the areas identify in the petition would require additional work.

He also noted that the Liveable Streets programme contained measures to improve the look and feel of the Borough’s streets. He welcomed the petitioners involvement in the next phase of the programme.

RESOLVED:

 1.        That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Place for a written response within 28 days.

5.3 Petition regarding Anti - Social Behaviour issues in Jolly's Green Areas.

RedwanShuhel and Tony Harrison addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners, and responded to questions from Members. Mayor John Biggs then responded to the matters raised in the petition. The Mayor expressed a commitment to take action to address the issues raised in the Petition given the impact that the issues highlighted had on people lives. He undertook to arrange a meeting with the Petitioners to further look at the issues.

RESOLVED:

1.      That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Health, Adults & Community for a written response within 28 days.

5.4 Petition regarding residential permits for all Electric Car Drivers

Love Oyeniran addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners, and responded to questions from Members. Councillor David Edgar, Cabinet Member for Environment then responded to the matters raised in the petition.

He advised that the Council recognised the need to improve air quality and remained committed to carrying out a wide range of measures to achieve this Recent initiatives included:

• Working with partners to implement the Council’s Air Quality Action Plan to prevent such activities as engine idling outside schools. 
• Redesigning street layouts through the Liveable Street programme.
• Measures to promote the use of low emission vehicles.

He also advised that there was simply a lack of space in the Borough to allow additional vehicles to park outside car free developments as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

The Council’s Constitution provides for the Elected Mayor to give a report at each Ordinary Council Meeting.

A maximum of six minutes is allowed for the Elected Mayor’s report.

Following which the Speaker of the Council will invite:

·         The leader of the opposition group to respond for up to two minutes should he so wish.

·         The Mayor to respond to the leader of the opposition for up to two minutes.

The Mayor presented his report to the Council. Following which:

•           Councillor Andrew Wood, Leader of the Conservative Group, responded briefly to the Mayor’s report.

•           The Mayor responded briefly

To debate a Motion submitted by the Opposition Group in accordance with Rules 11 and 13 of the Council’s Constitution. The debate will last for a maximum of 30 minutes.

7. Opposition Motion for Debate from the Conservative Group - regarding the Isle of Dogs and South Poplar Opportunity Area Planning Framework

Councillor Andrew Wood moved and Councillor Peter Golds seconded the motion as printed in the agenda.

Councillor Rachel Blake moved and Councillor Danny Hassell seconded the following amendment to the motion to be debated as tabled:

Added text underlined

Deleted text scored out.

This Council notes:

The publication by the Mayor of London on the 21^st November 2019 of the Isle of Dogs and South Poplar Opportunity Area Planning Framework (OAPF).

That the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said in his introduction “without a plan in place, this growth is causing unacceptable impacts on existing local communities from construction in the short term to provision of the necessary supporting facilities for these developments in the long term.”

The introduction also said, “Unique amongst London’s Opportunity Areas, the Isle of Dogs and South Poplar is currently experiencing intense development pressure, mainly in the form of new, very high density housing.” 

That the OAPF contains three growth scenarios for new homes in the area (the wards of Island Gardens, Canary Wharf, Blackwall & Cubitt Town and Poplar):

• Baseline 31,000 extra homes
• High growth 38,000 extra homes
• Maximum growth 49,000 extra homes

+ office space for an additional 110,000 jobs in each scenario

That these are the largest combined OAPF targets in London.

That the new London Plan has a target of 29,000 new homes in the same area + 110,000 new jobs.

That the new Tower Hamlets Council Local Plan has a minimum target of 30,601 new homes between 2016 and 2031 in the same Area (56% of all new housing in Tower Hamlets)

This Council further notes:

• The council’s youth service operates a dedicated youth hub at Andrews Wharf, which has over the last summer been supplemented by additional capacity from the Rapid Response Team.  In addition there are services and activities provided by the voluntary sector at Alpha Grove Community Centre.  Isle of Dogs is also home to Streets of Growth who will be receiving money from the LCF.  More specifically the LCF also includes funding for the Canaan Project which provides activities for young women aged 11-19 on the Isle of Dogs. Working with George Green’s school and Café Forever we offer activities including cooking, craft, sports, and inspirational workshops at our weekly lunch and after school clubs as well as opportunities to join us for regular trips.

• That the Alpha Square primary school is no longer required by this Council although construction started in October

• The government commitment to fund 60 capital costs for new youth centres nationally but sadly not the ongoing staffing costs for hardworking youth workers who provide life-changing support and services

• That the Isle of Dogs & South Poplar area has only two small youth centres, at St Andrews Wharf in Island Gardens and Poplar Spotlight. There are none planned in Canary Wharf and Blackwall & Cubitt Town wards despite both wards being the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

The questions which have been received from Councillors to be put at this Council meeting are set out in the attached report.  A maximum period of 30 minutes is allocated to this agenda item.

The following questions and in each case supplementary questions were put (except where indicated) and were responded to by the Mayor or relevant Executive Member.

8.2 Question from CouncillorAndrew Wood:

The government has announced funding nationally for 60 new youth centres, we have primary schools with planning permission that we do not want anymore and only two small youth centres in the Isle of Dogs and South Poplar area, it is not now time to build a new youth centre for the fastest growing place in the UK?

Response of Councillor Danny Hassell, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Young People:

First of all we covered the difference between capital and revenue. The Government has announced funding for 60 new youth centres. I am not quite sure how they think they are going to run, presumably on empty. But it is important to note that even according to DfE’s analysis, the new investment they are providing for youth centres falls far short of the cuts in youth services that have been made since 2010. Because of the choices made by this Administration, Tower Hamlets still has one of the biggest and best funded youth services in London. In dozens of venues across the Borough, we offer over 400 hours of high quality activity every single week,  including  from eight hubs,  10 additional commissioned services, three specialist youth projects and 16 additional grant funded youth projects, which will be funded from the Local Community Fund. We are always looking at suitable options for delivering youth work.  We would be happy to consider any options that Councillor Wood would like to suggest to be fed into our review of youth services so we can continue to provide a good quality youth service for all of our young people across the Borough.

No supplementary question was asked.

8.3 Question from Councillor Kahar Chowdhury:

Can the lead member please provide information on primary school results this year?

Response of Councillor Danny Hassell, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Young People:

I am very pleased to report an excellent set of results for Tower Hamlets Primary schools this year. The results provisionally for key stage two show  71% of pupils have achieved the expected level of results in reading writing and maths compared to 65% nationally and 61% in London. Once again, we are beating London and the national average. We continue to close the gap in the early years foundation stage with the national average and for the first time, we have exceeded the national results in reading Year 1. We are incredibly proud of everything that our schools continue to achieve. Despite the fact that in Tower Hamlets, schools will be on average £730 per pupil worse off than they were in 2015/16 despite the Governments pledges on school funding.

Supplementary question from Councillor Kahar Chowdhury:

Thanks for providing an overview of the overall picture. When we look at individual schools, some are below the national average in terms of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To consider the report of the Mayor in Cabinet on the proposed revised Gambling Policy for 2019-22.

The Council considered a report of the Mayor in Cabinet on the proposed revised Gambling Policy for 2019-22.

RESOLVED:

1.         That the revised Gambling Policy for 2019-22 be adopted.

To consider the report of the Corporate Director, Governance and Monitoring Officer on the proposal to waive the 6-month attendance rule for Councillor Mufeedah Bustin’s maternity leave.

The Council considered a report on the proposal to waive the 6-month attendance rule for Councillor Mufeedah Bustin’s maternity leave.

RESOLVED:

1.         That Councillor Mufeedah Bustin’s period of office be extended beyond the six month period of non-attendance provided for within Section 85 (1) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds of being on maternity leave.

2.         That Council approve the requested extension of time to expire on 31 May 2020.

3.         That Councillor Eve McQuillan be appointed as the Mayoral Advisor for Tackling Poverty and Inequalities for the duration of Councillor Mufeedah Bustin’s maternity leave.

11.1    Motion regarding Restoring Fairness to the Leasehold System.

Councillor Peter Golds moved and Councillor Andrew Wood seconded the motion as printed in the agenda.

Councillor Sirajul Islammoved and Councillor Rachel Blake seconded the following amendment to the motion to be debated as tabled:

Added text underlined

Deleted text scored out.

This Council notes:

There is a need for Tower Hamlets Council to promote fairness and transparency for the growing number of leaseholders in our borough and to address the unfair practices that exist in the leaseholder market. 

For over two decades issues regarding the unfairness of leasehold tenure in England and Wales have been raised by ministers from all governments.

Currently the Law Commission are considering a range of options for reforming the law on enfranchisement to make it easier, quicker, and cheaper for leaseholders to buy their freehold or extend their lease, for future implementation. 

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched an investigation into the leasehold system in June 2019 following concerns from MPs and consumer groups, looking at potential mis-selling and potential unfair terms.

The council notes the number of leasehold properties within the borough and fully supports a fairer, more transparent system for leaseholders nationally.

This council further notes:

Problems with some leases are becoming increasingly onerous to those purchasing a leasehold flat or house. While a leasehold may be presented as a cheaper option than buying the freehold, it is not always clear to the leaseholder what additional medium or long-term costs they may face. 

Some of the problems experienced by leaseholders are:

• Doubling ground rents: paying an increasing and continuing ground rent, which makes some leaseholders unable to sell their home due to difficulties securing a mortgage;
• Excessive and unjustified service or administration fees: paying potential fees for permissions to make alterations to a property or covenants in a lease; and
• Difficulty buying the freehold: the financial impact of extending the lease or buying the freehold from the developer after moving in;
• Lack of transparency: information is not always clear to leaseholders when purchasing to leaseholds.
   

These costs can total thousands of pounds more than envisaged at the point of sale. 

In addition, where developers sell on the freehold interest to a third party after a leaseholder has moved into a new build house, consumers can find that they are faced with significant legal and surveyor costs where they want to purchase the freehold. Such transfers can take place without the leaseholder being informed. 

The council supports a small number of leaseholders who contact officers directly however in the vast majority of cases leaseholders are advised to raise issues with their freeholder or managing agent, and to contact the Leasehold Advisory Service who provide free advice on service charges, extending a lease, and buying the freehold. Where there is a dispute, the leaseholder is advised to contact the Housing Ombudsman.

Tower Hamlets Homes launched its ‘New Deal for Leaseholders’ in June 2017 to give better payment terms and consultation for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.