During the meeting the Council agreed to vary the order of business. To aid clarity, the Minutes are presented in the order that the items originally appeared on the agenda.

The Speaker of the Council, Councillor Mohammed Ahbab Hossain in the Chair

Councillor John Pierce

With great regret, the Speaker reported that we were all very sad to hear  the news about Councillor John Pierce who had unexpectedly passed away.  He reported that he would always be remembered as a genuinely good person who was a strong voice in the community. He worked hard within his ward both alongside the residents and on their behalf and was truly an excellent Councillor.

At the invitation of the Speaker, the Mayor John Biggs and a number of other Councillors paid tribute to Councillor Pierce:

The Mayor and Councillors paid the following tributes:

·       Councillor Pierce was a great friend to fellow Councillors, the Council and the community. He will be remembered in this chamber for his work as an elected Councillor- but also his work outside the council including volunteering work.

·       Councillor Pierce had made a significant contribution to the local community and was an excellent ward Councillor for the Weavers Ward. His loss will be greatly felt in the ward and he would be very difficult to replace.

·       Councillors also reflected on Councillor Pierce’s success at the hard fought by-election in 2012, where he first became a Councillor. He was an outstanding Councillor from the onset and was clearly an expert on housing matters.

·       They also welcomed the way in which he chaired the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, particularly his work in holding to account the previous Administration. 

·       It was also stated that he was an excellent Chair of the Strategic Development Committee (SDC) and had brought many qualities to that role. He would be a hard example to follow.

·       Councillors also paid tribute to the way, as Chair of the SDC, he helped new Members to learn this role in such a kind and supportive way. He was a great mentor. He enjoyed making people feel welcome and providing support and advice. Particularly to new Councillors.

·       They also praised in particular, the way he worked to engage and involve local residents and to make sure their views were heard and acted on.

·       Members also praised Councillor Peirce’s good character, his powerful speeches and his community and voluntary work.

·       It was noted that we could all try to learn from his example and apply his many personal qualities to how we conduct our lives.

·       Councillors also reflected on how much he contributed to the work of Tower Hamlets Homes.

·       It was noted that he enjoyed being a parent and he was just commencing on a new chapter in life. This felt like a huge injustice and we will never forget his personal qualities and his commitment to the Borough.

The Mayor and Councillors stated that they were proud to have known him  and thanked Councillor Pierce for his service to Tower Hamlets and the lasting impact he has made on the Borough. He will be greatly missed.

The Council observed a minutes silence to remember Councillor Pierce.

The Speaker of the Council provided an update of his activities since the previous Council meeting.

He was pleased to say that, with the easing of restrictions, he had the honour of attending in person community events. Some of the key highlights included:

·       Celebrations and sporting events to acknowledge the achievements of local residents.

·       Traditional annual events such as the Lord Mayor’s visit to Billingsgate for the annual rent payment of one salmon.

·       The London Mayors Association Civic Service at St Paul’s Cathedral.

·       Engaging with the community and volunteers to express gratitude in person for all they had done over the past year and more.

In addition, the Speaker had addended a number of online events.

The Speaker also thanked all those in the NHS for continuing to work so tirelessly to get residents vaccinated and caring for those who had become ill.

The Speaker also reminded the Council of a number of forthcoming events

These were as follows:

·       The Freedom of the Borough Award. The Council were reminded that nominations were still open for the Award until 31^st July, and were encouraged to nominate any worthy nominee.     

·       The continuing celebrations to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Independence of Bangladesh - with the next event on Thursday 29th July 2021.

·       The Speaker’s reception which traditionally takes place after the Council AGM will finally be going ahead. Should the date need to be changed, the Council would be notified.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of:

•         Councillor Sufia Alam

•         Councillor Dipa Das

•         Councillor Candida Ronald

Apologies for lateness were also received on behalf of Harun Miah.

Members are reminded to consider the categories of interest, identified in the Code of Conduct for Members to determine; whether they have an interest in any agenda item and any action they should take. For further details, see the attached note from the Monitoring Officer.

Members are also reminded to declare the nature of the interest at the earliest opportunity and the agenda item it relates to. Please note that ultimately it is the Members’ responsibility to identify any interests and also update their register of interests form as required by the Code.

If in doubt as to the nature of an interest, you are advised to seek advice prior to the meeting by contacting the Monitoring Officer or Democratic Services.

No declarations on interest were reported.

The Monitoring Officer reported that under paragraph 32, of the Code of Conduct for Members, she had granted a dispensation to all Councillors in relation to Agenda item 11.3 (Motion on Local Government pay to council).

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. (This motion was not considered)

To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Council held 19^th May 2021

RESOLVED:

1.        That the unrestricted minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Council held on 19^th May 2021 be confirmed as a correct record and the Speaker be authorised to sign them accordingly.

The Chief Executive provided an update regarding the following issues:

·       Covid/Vaccines. By end of week nearly 200,000 TH residents, will have received their first dose of the vaccine - with 110,000 having received both.   The Council were continuing to work hard with the NHS to reach the target of vaccinating 100% of the most vulnerable cohorts.

·       The SEND Inspection taking place at the Town Hall.

·       Progress with delivering Children’s Social Care services and preparing for the next focused Ofsted Visit.

·       Staffing. He welcomed Raj Chand to the Council as the new Director of Customer Services.

·       He also thanked Claudia Brown, Director of Adult Social Care who would be leaving the Council soon and wished her well in her new role at Brent Council.

·       He also reported that Nisar Visram would be joining the Council as the new Director of Finance.

·       Awards. He was pleased to report on the Council’s success in winning the Local Covid – 19 Partnership Award at the HSJ Awards. This was in respect of its work on family focused multi- agency shielding support for clinically extremely vulnerable children.

·       The Weavers Ward by – election. This would take place on 12^th August. The count would take place at the Town Hall that evening.

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.

5.1 Petition regarding Objection to the one way system in Shadwell and carry out a new consultation.

Ruhul Amin addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners. Councillor Dan Tomlinson, Cabinet Member for Environment and Public Realm, (Lead on Public Realm), then responded to the matters raised in the petition. He thanked the Petitioner for raising the issues.

The Petition referred to two schemes as follows:

·       The public realm improvements in Dellow Street, Lowood Street and Bewley Street in Shadwell in relation to the one - way system. Consultation had been carried out on the proposals. Most of the respondents supported the improvements. These works had almost been completed. He felt that these changes had improved the area. 

·       As part of this, the Council also sought to carry out improvements to walking routes to Shadwell station from Wapping. He emphasised that resident access to the area would not be unduly affected by the changes.

·       Proposals in respect of Martha Street and Tarling Street. It was noted that the Council will carry out further consultation on these proposals as part of the forthcoming Shadwell Liveable Streets consultation.

RESOLVED:

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

5.2 Petition requesting a Moratorium on The Felling of Trees

Geoffrey Juden addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners, and responded to questions from Members.  Councillor Asma Islam, Cabinet Member for Environment and Public Realm, (Lead on Environment) then responded to the matters raised in the petition. The Council recognised the  need to retain and continue to plant new trees for the benefit of the public -  in accordance with it’s tree retention policy, it’s legal duty and the commitments in the Mayor’s Manifesto. The Council only felled trees under specific circumstances as set out in its criteria, generally when  trees were dead or dying or dangerous. Due to this, consultation did not need to be carried out on such works, but the Council did however provide felling notices

RESOLVED:

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

5.3 Petition regarding Bring Back the Basketball courts at Wapping Gardens

Fernando Saravia Rajal addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners.   Councillor Sabina Akhtar, Cabinet Member for Culture, Arts and Brexit then responded to the petition. The Council noted that it was important to help keep people physically active and provide  space for this.

Nevertheless, it must also be recognised that the Council had received a large number of complaints about noise nuisance from the basketball courts, which has impacted residents amenity. To address this, the decision had been taken to keep the courts open – but to the remove basketball hoops. Consideration had been given to alternative measures to mitigate the noise.  No solution had been found to be practical.

The Council were also exploring the option of opening a new facility nearby. The Council will consult on this in September 2021, before  ...  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 presented his report to the Council. Following which:

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

•         The Mayor responded briefly

An opportunity for the Mayor and the Councillors to give their views on the ‘State of the Borough’.

The Mayor gave his state of the Borough address, highlighting a number of issues.

The Mayor gave his state of the Borough address, providing a summary of the Administration’s achievements and future challenges. The issues covered included:

•         The impact of Covid on the community and the Council’s recovery plans.

•         The Council’s approach to keeping people safe, including the retention of social distancing measures and the work to increase vaccine take up.

•         Council’s budget and the ongoing activities to protect services and lobby for additional funding.

•         Waste services and recycling.

•         Measures to address pollution and promote sustainable transport including the Liveable Streets scheme and to make the Borough cleaner.

•         Community safety measures.

•         Children’s and young people’s services.

•         Anti - poverty and equalities measures.

•         The delivery of housing and raising housing standards.

•         Housing safety.

•         Activities to celebrate the Boroughs’ heritage

•         The need to continue to engage with the community and partners.

Councillor Peter Golds, Leader of the Conservative Opposition Group responded to the Mayor’s report. He raised the issue of ASB in the Borough, particularly in the Isle of Dogs and the need for further action to address this. Regarding the issue of HMOs, he noted the need to better regulate this type of accommodation in Tower Hamlets.

The following Councillors also responded to the Mayor’s report, highlighting a range of issues:

•         Councillor Mufeedah Bustin

•         Councillor Kyrsten Perry

•         Councillor Marc Francis

•         Councillor Andrew Wood

•         Councillor Gabrielle Salva Macallan

•         Councillor Danny Hassell

•         Councillor David Edgar

•         Councillor Eve McQuillan

•         Councillor Puru Miah

•         Councillor Kevin Brady

•         Councillor Motin Uz–Zaman

•         Councillor Rachel Blake 

•         Councillor Abdul Ullah

•         Councillor Tarik Khan

•         Councillor Rabina Khan

In closing the debate, the Mayor summarising the key theme running through the discussion, relating to the impact of Covid  - particularly in terms of strengthening community solidarity.  He closed by highlighting the pressing need for the Council to continue to stand up for and support the community.

Procedural Motion

Councillor Tarik Khan movedand Mayor John Biggs seconded, a procedural motion “that under Council Procedure Rule 12.1, (c) the order of business is changed to consider Motion 11.4 regarding the purchase of 64 metre or Taller Turntable Ladder for Tower Hamlets Residents as the next item of the business. The procedural motion was agreed.

To consider the annual report of the Standards Advisory Committee.

The Council considered the report of the Standard’s Advisory Committee setting out it’s Annual report and presented at the meeting by John Pulford MBE, Chair of the Standards Advisory Committee.

RESOLVED:

1.             To note the Annual Report of the Standards Advisory Committee for 2020/21.

To consider the annual report of the Audit Committee.

The Council considered the Annual report of the Audit Committee for 2020/21

RESOLVED:

1.       To note the Annual Report of the Audit Committee for 2020/21

To consider the annual report of the Corporate Parenting Board.

The Council considered the Annual report of the Corporate Parenting Board for 2020/2021

RESOLVED:

1.       To note the Annual Report of the Corporate Parenting Board for 2020/2021

To consider the annual report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The Council considered the Annual report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee

RESOLVED:

1.             To note the Annual Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2020/21.

To consider the Overview and Scrutiny work programme for the 2021-22 municipal year.

The Council considered the report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee setting out it’s work programme for 2021/22

RESOLVED:

1.      To note the draft Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme for 2021/22, as set out at Appendices 1-6 of the report.

Procedural Motion

At this point in the meeting the Speaker advised that the time limit for the meeting had been reached. In accordance with Paragraph 9.1 of the Council Procedure Rules, the Council considered the remaining reports, Items 9.1 and 9.2 under the guillotine procedure

To consider appointments for the vacant Chair of the Strategic Development Committee.

The Council considered the report of the Director of Legal and Monitoring Officer regarding the appointment of a member and a Chair of the Strategic Development Committee.

As no nominations had been received before the guillotine fell, no decisions were taken on this item

To consider a request for an extension to the 6-month attendance rule for Councillors.

The Council considered the report of the Director of Legal and Monitoring Officer regarding a request to extend Councillor Sufia Alam’s period of office on the grounds of maternity leave.

This report was considered under the guillotine in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9.1. As no nominations for the Mayoral Advisor position had been received by the time the guillotine fell, no decision was taken on that item.

RESOLVED

1.             Agree to extend Councillor Sufia Alam’s period of office 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 January 2022.

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.

Questions 10.1 – 10. 2 and 10. 4 – 10. 17 were not put due to lack of time. Question 10.3 was not put due to the absence of the questioner. A written response would be provided to these questions. (Note the written responses will follow)

11.4   Motion on The Purchase of a 64-Metre or Taller Turntable Ladder for Tower Hamlets Residents

Councillor Rabina Khan moved the motion as printed in the agenda

Councillor Eve McQuillan moved and Mayor John Biggs seconded an amendment to the motion as published in the supplementary report, as follows;

The Council Notes:

• June 14^th marked the day four years ago when a fire broke out at Grenfell Tower killing 72 and leaving many more injured, traumatised, and homeless.
• This motion puts on record the bravery of our firefighters and recognises the especially important work that they do. In our own borough, crews were on site within 4 minutes of the first 999 call from New Providence Wharf and we are immensely grateful for the work they did to protect residents’ lives.
• Tower Hamlets has more tall residential buildings that anywhere in the country. These buildings are predominately located on the Isle of Dogs and in Aldgate.
• Whilst blocks should be designed to ensure that fires are contained within the area of the building in which they begin, we know that 293 high-rise buildings have applied to the government’s building safety fund because surveys have found that they are not fully fire safe. This is the highest number for any local authority in England. Mitigation has been put in place to reduce risk to residents and their homes in the event of a fire.
• As we saw with the New Providence Wharf incident of May 7th, fires in tower blocks can start at any time.
• As more high-rise schemes are built which individually house many occupiers, the need to locate a Turntable Ladder of at least 64m or taller where the supertall residential buildings are, i.e. Isle of Dogs and Tower Hamlets, is urgent. 
• 292 high-rise privately-owned blocks in Tower Hamlets are in need of fire safety remedial work, having applied to the government’s Building Safety Fund, the highest number of any Local Authority in England.
• Residents living in social housing across the borough are also in high rise towers.
• LFB is responsible for ensuring that fire fighters have the equipment and infrastructure they need in the event of a fire. LFB holds the expertise necessary to do this properly.
• Council officers and THHF meet regularly with the LFB to work in partnership to protect residents in the event of a fire, and to do all we can to prevent fires starting. There was also a briefing held for councillors following the New Providence Wharf Fire.
• LFB have told councillors that fires in high-rise blocks are fought using their internal systems in the overwhelming majority of cases.
• Tower Hamlets councillors had a meeting with the Tower Hamlets London Fire Brigade Commander on the 30th of June 2021 regarding fire safety infrastructure in the Borough and lessons learnt from the New Providence Wharf incident of May 7th.
• This motion puts on record the bravery of our firefighters and recognises the especially important work that they do.
• London Fire Brigade are working  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.