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

The Speaker of the Council provided his update to the Council. He firstly welcomed to the Council meeting, Councillor Kabir Ahmed following his recent election at the Weavers Ward by-election.

He was pleased to say that he had the honour of hosting and attending a number of events. These included:

·       The launch of the film festival as part of the programme of activities for the 50th Anniversary of Bangladesh.

·       Hosting his first in person civic event to celebrate this occasion in July – featuring an afternoon and evening of film, songs, dancing and food celebrating Bangladesh.

·       Attending community fun days in Bancroft and on the Isle of Dogs, as well as All Points East in Victoria Park.

·       Several other community events to celebrate achievements. The Speaker thanked  everyone in the community that had been working hard, to provide help where needed in this difficult times.

Looking forward, the Freedom of the Borough ceremony would be taking place in October, for only the second time in over 20 years, to give the highest honour to people who have given many years of service to Tower Hamlets.

Turning to some sad news – the Speaker expressed regret about the recent death of the former Weavers Ward and Liberal Democrat Councillor, Tim O'Flaherty. He would be remembered as a good Councillor and a nice person, who served as a Councillor whilst disabled.

The Council were also deeply saddened by the loss of another innocent young woman, Ms Sabina Nessa a school teacher, on our streets.

The Council observed a minutes silence to remember everyone that had been affected by this and had lost their lives [add ‘in similar circumstances’??]. 

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of:

·       Councillor Sufia Alam (maternity leave)

·       Councillor Rabina Khan

·       Councillor James King

·       Councillor Puru Miah

·       Councillor Krysten Perry and

·       Councillor Bex White

Apologies for lateness were received on behalf of Councillor Denise Jones.

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.

The Monitoring Officer report that under paragraph 32, of the Code of Conduct for Members, she had granted a dispensation to all Councillors in relation to Agenda item 12.3 (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)

Councillor Ayas Miah declared a Non - Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in Agenda Item 11.16, Member Question regarding the COVID restart grants. This was on the basis that he and other family Members owned businesses in the Borough, but they had not applied for a Covid restart grant.

Councillor David Edgar declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in Agenda Item 12.2, Motion regarding One Housing Group Takeover by Riverside Housing Association. This was on the basis that a family member had a leasehold property with the One Housing Group. He indicated that he would leave the meeting for the consideration of this item.

Councillor Candida Ronald declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in Agenda item 12.2 , Motion regarding One Housing Group Takeover by Riverside Housing Association. This was on the basis that Councillor Ronald was a tenant of the One Housing Group. She indicated that she would leave the meeting for the consideration of this item.

To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 21^st July 2021.

RESOLVED:

1.     That the unrestricted minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on Wednesday 21^st July 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 - 19 and Vaccines. He was pleased to report on the falling case numbers in the Borough. It now had one of the lowest infection rates in London. Further progress had also been made with the roll out of the vaccine programme in the community and in schools.  In addition, a booster, flu and evergreen vaccination programme was in place.

·       The Council had hosted the postponed visit by the Local Government Association Peer Review Team. A report would be published in due course

·       Staffing update. Amanda Harcus, Director of Workforce, Occupational Development & Business Support was leaving the Council to re-join the NHS. Ali Littlewood would be joining on 4^th October to cover the role. Richard Baldwin, Director of Supporting Families, would be leaving the Council to take up a new post of Director of Children’s Services in Bromley. He thanked both for all their hard work. The action to recruit to these posts was well in advance.

·       Emergency matters. The Council had been approached by Clarion Housing regarding the evacuation of Clare House in Bow due to concerns over building safety.

·       The Council was in a strong position regarding fuel supplies, but it was noted that staff, and those that deliver services on behalf of the Council, have been affected.

·       Education success. He congratulation students Fahim Miah and Saqif Chowdhury who have recently been accepted to study History at Oxford and Cambridge respectively and start in October.

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 Antisocial behaviour on Bishops Way.

Carole Boletti addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners and responded to questions from Members. Councillor Sirajul Islam, Cabinet Member for Community Safety then responded to the matters raised in the petition. He stated that he was sorry to hear about the Petitioner’s personal experiences with ASB that she had outlined. He reassured the Petitioner that the Council’s ASB team, the Police and relevant agencies were aware of these problems. They have undertaken a range of steps to address the problems. This included issuing a Community Protection Notice Warning with a view to issuing a closure order.

RESOLVED:

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

5.2 Petition regarding the pedestrianisation of Brick Lane and Liveable Streets

Matthew Hewitt 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 welcomed the residents contribution, and also stated that he was also aware of the divisions in the community in relation to traffic reduction schemes across London.

In view of this, the Council will continue to review the options for Brick Lane, and to carry out further consultation  and engagement where necessary. 

A more detailed announcement will be made in the next couple of days.

RESOLVED

1.     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 leaders of the opposition groups to respond for up to two minutes each should they so wish. Following those contributions, the Mayor may reply for up to two minutes.

The Mayor presented his report to the Council.

The Opposition Group Leader’s then responded briefly to the Mayor’s report.

•                Councillor Peter Golds, Leader of the Conservative Group,

•                Councillor Kabir Ahmed, Leader of the Aspire Group.

The Mayor provided concluding remarks.

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 Mufeedah Bustin moved and Councillor Motin Uz – Zaman seconded the motion as printed in the agenda.

Councillor Andrew Wood moved and Councillor Peter Golds seconded the following amendment to the motion as set out in the supplementary agenda:

Amendments underlined.

This council notes:

1.             The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) intends to close the JobCentre Plus branch based at Dod Street, Poplar.

2.             That the reasons for the closure are due to the landlord not renewing the lease due to the intended redevelopment of the site for much needed new housing.

3.             The submission in late 2019 of planning application PA/20/00123/A1 for 13-15 Dod Street to build an 8-storey residential building with 84 homes where the single storey job centre is now (plus the 3-storey office building behind it)

4.             The Applicant engaged in four meetings with the Council’s planning team. The pre-application meetings were held on 12th July 2019, 27th September 2019, and 22nd November 2019.

5.             That on the 5^th November 2020 the Development Committee voted unanimously to approve the application to re-develop the site. That in the Committee Report it said “The current occupiers are due to vacate the site and relocate their services to Mansell Street, E1”

6.             That on the 1^st November 2019 the Council approved an earlier permitted development application for 35 homes on this site.

7.             That in the DWP Estates Proposals 26.01.2017 v1.0 it was proposed to retain Dod Street as well as Mansell Street job centres in Tower Hamlets plus centres in Hackney, Stratford, and Canning Town.

8.             That the 29^th August 2019 update on job centre closures in 2018 by the DWP did not include any closures in London but did mention co-location with local authorities as a way of finding new premises.

9.             That in 2021 the DWP set up temporary jobcentres to deal with increased demand including at 100 Leman Street, this is to provide more space for safe meetings

10.          The failure since 2019 to identify and then offer an alternative location to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in one of the many planning applications to go through LBTH

11.          That the possibility of offering the DWP space in the new Town Hall at centre of Whitechapel has never been raised with Town Hall Steering Group

12.          That Tower Hamlets for the 2^nd year running has missed the housing delivery targets set by the Mayor of London as a result of which there is now greater pressures on us to deliver new housing.

13.          The closure transfer of this branch will result in longer travel times for some residents needing of a critical layer of support for our residents in Tower Hamlets, at a time when Universal Credit uplift ends, the furlough scheme closes, and the government imposes an increase in National Insurance.

14.          The central position of the Dod Street branch is located close to some of the areas of highest deprivation in our borough: the closure  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To debate a Motion submitted by the Opposition Conservative 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 printed in the agenda.

The motion was put to a vote and was defeated.

There were none

The Council considered the report of the Director of Legal and Monitoring Officer regarding the appointment of Independent Co-Opted Members of the Standards Advisory Committee

RESOLVED:

The Council considered the report.

Councillor Tarik Khan moved and Mayor John Biggs seconded the following:

·       A nomination for the position of the Chair of the Strategic Development Committee.

·       An additional recommendation to the report regarding the appointment of a Mayoral Advisor and a nomination to that position.

RESOLVED:

1.       That Councillor Kevin Brady be appointed as Chair of the Strategic Development Committee for the remainder of the 2021-22 municipal year

1.             That Councillor Eve McQuillan be appointed to act as a Mayoral Advisor until the point that Councillor Sufia Alam returns from maternity leave on 31^st January 2022.

The Council considered the report of the Director of Legal and Monitoring Officer regarding the Proportionality and Allocation of Places on Committees of the Council

The Council also noted the tabled allocations for opposition Members, published on the Council’s website in the supplementary agenda.

RESOLVED:

1.             To note the review of proportionality as at Section 3 of the report and the allocation of seats on Committees and Sub-Committees for the Municipal Year 2021/22 as set out at paragraph 3.6 of the report.

2.             To note the Committees set out for the municipal year 2021/22 listed in paragraph 3.6 as agreed at the Annual Council meeting held on Wednesday 19 May 2021.

3.             Agree the changes to the memberships as set out in the tabled allocations for opposition Members, and published in the supplementary agenda.

4.             Agree that the Monitoring Officer be authorised to approve the appointment of Councillors required to fill positions that fall vacant during the municipal year in line with the proportionality arrangements set out in this report.

5.             Agree that the Monitoring Officer be authorised to approve the appointment of ungrouped Councillors to any committee places not allocated by the Council to a political group, after consultation with those Councillors and the Speaker of the Council.

6.             Agree that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and General Purposes Committee should now consider any necessary proportionality changes to their sub-committees following this report.

The Council considered the report of the Director of Legal and Monitoring Officer regarding the appointment of political advisors.

Councillor Tarik Khan moved and Mayor John Biggs seconded a proposal that the existing second political advisor post should be retained by the Conservative Group. 

RESOLVED:

1.                    That the existing second political advisor post should be retained by the Conservative Group. 

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.

11.1 Question from Councillor Tarik Khan:

Will the Mayor provide an update on the Liveable Streets programme?

Response of Mayor John Biggs:

I continue to support the principles behind Liveable Streets for providing better, safer, calmer streets, reduce rat run traffic and to improve air quality and the street environment. However, the Administration now needs to take time to reflect on the impact of the scheme on residents, so the decision has been taken to pause the programme. The Council intended to complete the existing programmes in the seven areas, where the consultation had taken place, subject to undertaking any amendments necessary in light of the consultation or pause. The Council also remained committed to carrying out it’s Schools Streets programme.

No supplementary question was asked.

11.2 Question from Councillor Kabir Ahmed:

Can the Mayor give a break down of how much money has been spent to date on his liveable streets project? (This includes costs for; Consultants/ so called consultation, Planters, Transport costs, Council Officer time/cost, Any other cost for this project)

Response of Mayor Biggs:

Since the introduction of the programme, several years ago, £6.9 million had been spent on the project, from capital resources not from revenue resources. Most of which had been spent on physical works. As the programme was concluded, an even bigger amount will be spent on physical works.  I wish to emphasise that the aims of the programme were not just about closing roads but about improving the streets scene, cycle and motorist provision and providing pocket parks, as well as other services. It represented a good investment in the public realm.

Supplementary question from Councillor Kabir Ahmed:

Can the Mayor clarify the reasons for leaving the planters on Virginian Road?

Mayor Biggs response to supplementary question:

They were placed there at a time when the closure was due to go ahead.  This decision now forms part of the review. It was unlikely that this closure would take place as intended. In that case, they will need to be removed.

11.3 Question from Councillor Leema Qureshi:

How is the Mayor’s Covid Recovery Fund being used?

Response of Mayor John Biggs:

The Mayor’s Covid Recovery Fund will help initiate the Borough’s economic and social recovery from Covid 19. Nearly £3m of grants has been committed. The main heading for the funding comprised:

·       Community led recovery – almost £700,000.

·       Healthy recovery – almost £900,000.

·       Community recognised and celebrated - £44,500

·       Economic recovery programme - £500,000

It will provide support in the areas where Government programmes had failed to cover.

It offers good value and will help raise the capacity of the Borough and support the community, helping us ease our way out of a crisis.

No supplementary question was asked.

11.4 Question from Councillor Peter Golds:

Will the Mayor outline his plan to mitigate the anti-social behaviour at St Andrews  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

Councillor Amina Ali moved and Councillor Rachel Blake seconded the motion as printed in the agenda

The motion was put the vote and was agreed

RESOLVED

This council notes:

1.             The Tesco supermarket chain has embarked on a process of converting a number of Tesco Metro stores to Tesco Express.

2.             Tesco Express pricing excludes the supermarket price-match offers, increasing the pricing of regular shopping for residents.

3.             Many loose items (such as fruit and vegetables) sold in Tesco Express are charged per item rather than by weight, increasing the cost of healthy, staple food items for residents.

4.             That some residents have reported price increases of specific items up to 33 per cent higher than those items listed on the Tesco website and available within Tesco Extra stores.

5.             In Tower Hamlets, 44 per cent of our older residents live in low-income households, the highest proportion in England and more than double the national average.

6.             That Tower Hamlets has one of the highest levels of child poverty in the country, with, once housing costs are taken in to consideration, 56% of children living below the poverty line.

7.             Since 2017, this administration has invested £6.6 million in a Tackling Poverty programme to support: residents moving onto Universal Credit; financial inclusion; grassroots community and voluntary sector programmes; and, several ‘test and learn’ initiatives

8.             Tesco’s group sales rose by 8.8% to £53.4bn during the 52 weeks to 27 February 2021, while its UK sales increased by 7%.

9.             The Mayor, Lead Member, and councillors across London have written to the CEO of Tesco, Ken Murphy, asking he reverse the covert price increases caused by the store conversion.

This council believes:

10.   It is families and residents living in poverty who have been disproportionately affected by these price increases as many simply do not have an option to travel further afield to access larger stores.

11.   This position has become more common and acute during the pandemic, with residents restricted and discouraged from travel to protect public health.

12.   At the same time, travel costs may now be prohibitively expensive for those who have been pushing into unemployment.

13.   That many residents are feeling the triple whammy of the end of Universal Credit uplift, furlough scheme ending, and a looming increase in National Insurance contributions.

14.   Supermarkets have performed relatively well during the pandemic, compared to other retail businesses who have struggled through enforced closures.

This council resolves:

1.    To write to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee asking that they review the decision by Tesco to convert its Metro stores to Express, and the impact this has on residents.

2.    To ask the boroughs MPs to raise this issue in the House of Commons, raising national awareness of Tesco’s pricing strategy.

3.    To campaign to secure decent affordable food locally.

4.    To continue to invest in innovative anti-poverty programme

12.2      Motion regarding One Housing Group Takeover by Riverside Housing Association

Councillor Peter Golds moved and Councillor Andrew  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.