The Speaker of the Council brought the Council up to date with some of her activities since the previous Council meeting.

She advised that she was very pleased to have hosted and attended a variety of events. This included:

·         A variety of awards ceremonies since the last Council meeting from food, horticulture and sports to community involvement – a perfect snapshot of Tower Hamlets (i) the Asian Curry Awards in November; (ii) the 2019 Community Champions in Canary Wharf; (iii) Tower Hamlets in Bloom (iv) Tower Hamlets Homes Community Awards; and (v) the Youth League cup final at Mile End;

·         A Commendation Ceremony at the Tower of London to honour Police Officers, staff and members of the public across the borough for outstanding work, dedication to duty and acts of courage;

·         Carol services at (i) All Saints in Poplar, (ii) the Town Hall with staff who made a donation to the Speakers charity; and (iii) Queen Victoria Seamen's Rest, which included the unveiling ceremony for the new Roe Wing;

·         Christmas celebrations at the Canary Wharf community Christmas Reception;

·         The Council staff bake-off to judge all the cakes entered;

·         The Speaker’s the Annual Charity Ball on 4th December, 2019 held at the East Wintergarden in Canary Wharf where over 200 people came together to support the fundraising on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Society, BPCA and Providence Row.   This event was sponsored by the Canary Wharf Group, Ballymore and Mulalley as well as the wonderful performers who did a great job and are all linked to Tower Hamlets; the Sir John Cass and Redcoat School Steel Orchestra, IMD Legion, Adanta Dance and the James Uglow Lion Group;

·         Music performances from THAMES the Tower Hamlets Arts and Music Education Service, at their Music Centre Concert;

·         The performance of the London International Choral Festival on the 2nd January, 2020;

·         Attending a Dementia Friends refresher which is something all Members of the Council are urged to support as it is of growing importance in our society which is why the Speaker had chosen the Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Project as one of her charities this year;

·         Attending the Swanlea School and Raines Foundation, to speak with the students about knife crime.  This resulted in a very interesting and lively discussion with a number of very useful ideas to take forward.

In addition to the above it was noted that the Speaker continues to attend citizenship ceremonies at the Borough’s Register Office and to support community events across Tower Hamlets.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of:

•       Councillor Asma Begum;

•       Councillor Mufeedah Bustin;

•       Councillor Kevin Brady;

•       Councillor Marc Francis; and.

•       Councillor Abdul Mukit M.B.E.

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.

Following a request from a large number of Members who had interests in agenda item 12.1 (Motion regarding NJC Pay) the Monitoring Officer agreed to grant a dispensation to Councillors as an increase in NJC Pay could have an impact on the allowances of all Members 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.

There were no their declarations of interest received at the meeting.

To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the Ordinary Council meeting held on 13^th November 2019.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the unrestricted minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on Wednesday 13 November, 2019 be confirmed as a correct record the Speaker be authorised to sign them accordingly.

The Chief Executive:

Reported that Jenny Peters would shortly be taking up her appointment to the post of Divisional Director of Planning and Building Control and expressed his thanks to David Williams who had been acting in the role.

Placed on record his thanks to Theresa Heaney Interim Director Customer Programme for covering since Shazia Hussain had moved to Brent.

Was pleased to report the following success stories:

·         Djamila Aggabi had won the 2019 Practice Educator of the Year; and

·         Communications Team for winning the LGcommunications - Public Sector Excellence Award.

Finally thanked those members of staff who had worked the 2019 General Election.

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. Should any additional petitions be received they will be listed to be noted but not discussed.

Sybil Cock 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. Whilst he understood the passion the topic raised he stated he did not consider it appropriate to add a caveat to the internationally recognised IHRA definition. In respect of events in parks he had asked for a review of the events in parks policy to ensure it was appropriately balanced.

DECISION

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

Gina Hayden 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 acknowledged the mixed views on the changes but highlighted how the bus gate had cut rat-running and improved air quality and safety.

DECISION

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

It was noted that the petitioner Sumaia Begum was not present. The petition was therefore referred to the Corporate Director, that the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Place for a written response within 28 days.

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; and

·         The Mayor responded briefly.

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

Councillor Rachel Blake moved and Councillor Dipa Das seconded the motion as set out in the agenda

Accordingly, it was RESOLVED that:

This Council notes:

1. That Universal Credit (UC) has fundamentally failed as a social security system and has caused hardship wherever it is rolled out;

2. Councils are not recognised partners for Universal Credit in the way they are for Housing Benefit and receive no funding to check Universal Credit claims as they are managed by Department for Work and Pensions (DWP);

3. New figures and case studies from Tower Hamlets Council which highlight just how flawed the Universal Credit system is:

4. The Council commissioned the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) to research the experiences of Tower Hamlets’ families with children in receipt of universal credit. A qualitative research study between October 2018 and July 2019 found:

5. That Tower Hamlets Council has established a multi-million pound Tackling Poverty Fund and is working in partnership with CPAG to understand the impact of Universal Credit in Tower Hamlets and to deliver welfare advice in a local food bank which delivered £230k in income maximisation for residents in its first 5 months.

This Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

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.

Councillor Andrew Wood moved and Councillor Peter Golds seconded the motion as set out in the agenda

Councillor Mayor John Biggs moved and Councillor Sabina Akhtarseconded the following amendment to the motion to be debated as tabled:

Added text underlined

Deleted text scored out.

This Council notes:

• The election on the 12^th December 2019 of a new majority Conservative government.
• A Queens Speech on the 19^th December 2019 containing a large number of proposed Bills, some of direct relevance and interest to Tower Hamlets Council.
• That the government was elected with a new manifesto containing a number of sections of direct relevance and interest to Tower Hamlets Council as noted below.
• The increase in the Public Works Loan Board interest rate from 1.82% to 2.82% in October 2019.

This Council further notes:

Voters in both constituencies in Tower Hamlets voted overwhelmingly for Labour Members of Parliament to represent them.

That the new Conservative manifesto & Queens Speech contains a number of sections directly relevant to Tower Hamlets. Some examples (but not limited to) include measures relating to Right to Buy, social housing, development infrastructure, Brexit and electric vehicle infrastructure:

“We will maintain our commitment to a Right to Buy for all council tenants. We will also maintain the voluntary Right to Buy scheme agreed with housing associations. Following the successful voluntary pilot scheme in the Midlands, we will evaluate new pilot areas in order to spread the dream of home ownership to even more people.”

For example we in Tower Hamlets could ask to be one of the new pilot areas in order to ensure that the new voluntary scheme works in London.

“As Boris Johnson has promised, we will bring forward a Social Housing White Paper which will set out further measures to empower tenants and support the continued supply of social homes. This will include measures to provide greater redress, better regulation and improve the quality of social housing.”

We in Tower Hamlets need to be influencing this White Paper given both the large stock of existing as well as the large number of new build social homes we have which bring with them unique issues.

“Infrastructure first. We will amend planning rules so that the infrastructure – roads, schools, GP surgeries – comes before people move into new homes”

Given that Tower Hamlets is the most important deliverer of new homes in the country (exemplified by a record 10^th year of New Homes Bonus receipts) this is a critically important for us to ensure that those new planning rules work for us here in Tower Hamlets.

“In particular, we will make the UK the leading global hub for life sciences after Brexit.”

We should work with the government to make the Life Sciences centre in Whitechapel the leading centre in London if not the country.

“We will invest £1 billion in completing a fast-charging network to ensure that everyone is within 30 miles of a rapid electric vehicle charging station.”

With more  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

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.

9.1       Question from Councillor Dipa DasCan the Mayor update members on the pledge to welcome 10 unaccompanied child refugees to our borough, under the Dubs scheme?

The response of Mayor John Biggs:

•           I am pleased to say that all 10 young people that we pledged to accommodate via the Dubs arrangements have arrived and are being actively supported.

•           The young people have a range of complex needs and trauma from their life within an active war-zone.

•           Despite these challenges most have settled well and are engaged in education and training with a view to obtaining employment in the coming months.

•           The Government provides only a fraction of the cost to host unaccompanied refugees. We estimate that the shortfall is over £2,500 a week and so my budget proposals include a growth bid to meet this.

•           Despite the squeeze on the Council’s budget I’m proud we are doing the right thing continuing the legacy of the East End welcoming refugees.

•           In contrast last week the government voted to water down their commitments. Children should not be bargaining chips in any EU negotiations: child refugees should be with their families and the UK government should be fighting for them.

•           We will continue to lobby government through London councils to properly fund this scheme in the future.

No supplementary question was asked.

9.2       Question from CouncillorPeter Golds Will the Mayor comment on how the Council will use the recently announced £5.1 million homeless grant from the Government?

•           The response of Councillor Sirajul Islam Statutory Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Housing:This funding is to support the implementation of the Homelessness Reduction Act and the new responsibilities that fall on councils as a result of the Act as well as to tackle rough sleeping. This funding is used for various purposes including staffing, homelessness prevention initiatives and securing temporary accommodation. This includes the conversion of empty/redundant buildings for use as temporary accommodation.

Supplementary question from Councillor Peter Golds: (i) In 2018/2019 the Council used £140m from reserves to buy new properties please can we be provided with the details on the outcome of that expenditure; and (ii) Can we also be provided with details of what the £5.1 million Homeless Grant from Government will be spent on.

Response of Councillor Sirajul Islam: I will undertake to provide you with that information.

9.3       Question from Councillor Sufia Alam How is the Council preparing for any forthcoming inspection of Youth Justice Services?

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

·                We are committed to ensuring that the work of the Youth Offending Team ensures that young people leave the service with improved circumstances and aspirations, in line with our ambition to give ‘Every Chance for Every Child’.

·                Since the new inspection  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.1      Report of Cabinet: Adoption of the Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2031: Managing Growth and Sharing the Benefits

The Council considered a report that recommended the adoption the Local Plan recommendations as set out in the main report.

RESOLVED

1. To note that the Local Plan has been subject to further amendments (following its submission to the Inspector in February 2018) as part of the independent public examination, as described in:

a. the Inspector’s Final Report (see appendix 1), and;

b. schedule of main and additional modifications (see appendix 2).

2. To agree the recommendation stated in the Inspector’s Final Report.

3. To adopt the Local Plan, including the modifications recommended by the Inspector and the additional minor modifications proposed by officers, in accordance with Section 23 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act.

4. To authorise the Corporate Director of Place to prepare and publish an Adoption Statement and the final Integrated Impact Assessment Report, in accordance with S26 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.

5. To authorise the Corporate Director of Place in consultation with the Mayor and Lead Member for Planning, Air Quality and Tackling Poverty to make typographical amendments to the plan prior to its publication to improve cross-referencing (e.g. paragraph numbering, page re-numbering) and typographical errors.

6. To agree to revoke the Council’s current adopted Core Strategy (2010) and Managing Development Document (2013). It is recommended that the current adopted Plans are revoked following the statutory six week legal challenge period of the Local Plan adoption.

7. To note that Cabinet has agreed to revoke the following Council’s supplementary/Interim planning documents, subject to adoption of the Local Plan by the full Council (see appendix 3 for a full SPD review). The following documents will be removed as planning policy guidance to ensure an effective and efficient development management process. It will be revoked following the statutory six week legal challenge period of the Local Plan adoption.

a. Wood Wharf Masterplan (2003)

b. Aldgate Masterplan (2007)

c. Former Whitechapel Masterplan (2007)

d. Bishopsgate Goods Yard (2009)

e. Bromley-by-Bow Masterplan (2012)

f. Whitechapel Vision Masterplan (2013)

g. South Quay Masterplan (2015)

h. Millennium Quarter Public Realm Guidance Manual (2008)

The Council considered a report that recommended the adoption of a new schedule subsequent to three separate public consultations and examination in public. The newly proposed Charging Schedule aims to increase the rates that the Council currently charges.

DECISION

1.    To formally adopt the new CIL Charging Schedule in accordance with the Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010, Regulation 25.

(Action by: Ann Sutcliffe, Corporate Director, Place)

Council considered a report that advised Members of two new items being adopted by London Councils and sought Council’s approval to both. The first related to establishing a London wide partnership to assist boroughs in the management and delivery of Electric Vehicle Charging Points (for residential and car club use) and the second to the development of a London wide bye-law to control Dockless Cycle Hire Schemes.

DECISION

1.    To approve the delegation of authority to London Councils to enable them to better support the boroughs in managing and delivering the provision of Electric Charge Points as set out in 3.5 of the main report;

2.    To approve in principle the development of a new London-wide byelaw to control the operation of Dockless Cycle Hire Schemes within the Borough; and

3.    To authorise the Divisional Director, Public Realm to sign authorisation forms for both the above matters.

(Action by: Ann Sutcliffe, Corporate Director, Place)

The Council noted that (i) this report sets out recommendations for changes to polling districts and polling places as a result of the statutory review of polling districts and polling places undertaken in 2019; (ii) it also set out a small number of recommendations arising from the review but that do not fall within the scope of a statutory review; (iii) the report also incorporated comments on draft recommendations made by the General Purpose Committee on 10 December 2019.

The Council considered a report that updates members on both the borrowing and investment decisions made by the Corporate Director, Resources under delegated authority in the context of prevailing economic conditions and considers the Council’s Treasury Management performance.

There were no other items of business for consideration.

There was no other items of business for consideration.

Accordingly, it was UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that:

The Council noted:

1. That the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government has gone against the views of the Council, many local residents and the Planning Inspectorate and granted planning permission for redevelopment of the Westferry Printworks site;
2. That the proposed development was initially refused by Tower Hamlets Strategic Development Committee in March 2016. This was then overturned by the then Mayor of London in April 2016;
3. In 2018, the developer submitted a new application more than doubling the amount of housing, increasing further the density and heights of buildings and reducing the amount of open space, with no significant change in the proportion of affordable housing. The developer appealed before the Council was able to make a decision. However the SDC agreed clear and robust planning reasons for refusal. A public inquiry took place last year.  The Secretary of State has however now granted planning permission, against the recommendation of his appointed inspector, who broadly supported the Council’s case and despite clear opposition of the Council, Mayor of London and local residents;
4. That the Secretary of State’s decision comes only 24 hours before tonight’s meeting where the Council will vote on the new Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) charging schedule. By doing this the new development avoids the CIL liability and hence the Secretary of State has deprived the Council of an estimated £30m-£50m in CIL contributions.

Therefore this Council believes that:

1. Developments on the Isle of Dogs – which has seen decades of intensive development – must be sensitive to ensure developments strike a balance between realising opportunities for growth and respecting local context;
2. The plans for the site are unacceptable due to their height and density as well as the low level of affordable housing;
3. The decision by the Secretary of State to grant planning permission goes against the considerable views and professional opinions that were presented in opposition to the permission being granted;
4. Decisions of this magnitude should not be taken by the Government behind closed doors and this decision completely disregards local democracy.

This Council:

Condemns the unilateral decision taken by the Secretary of State and to ask Council officers to examine what options are available to the Council to challenge this decision, including the option of a judicial review.