*Councillors present in person in the Council Chamber.

(Remaining Councillors attended from remote locations).

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

The Speaker of the Council provided his update to the Council. He advised that he was pleased to have been able to participant in many events and activities in the community over the last couple of months. The highlights included:

·       A number of events celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Bangladesh independence, highlighting the richness of Bangladeshi culture, and the community’s close friendship with Britain and Tower Hamlets.

·       Celebrations to mark a number of other key events such as: the International Day of Persons with Disabilities and a cultural celebration of Malaysia.

·       Participation in tree planting activities across the Borough to commemorate those lost to Covid-19, to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Independence of Bangladesh and as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy.

·       Many festive celebrations in December. These included the lighting up of the Christmas Tree in Trafalgar Square, the switching on of the Aberfeldy Christmas Lights, Mayor of London’s Carol Service, Tower Hamlets Homes festive celebration and the LBTH staff carol service.

The Speaker was also pleased to report that he was finally able to hold the Speaker’s Charity Ball raising money for local charities. He thanked everyone who supported this event, in particular the sponsors: the Canary Wharf Group, Poplar HARCA and Hill Partnerships. The Speaker also looked forward to personally thanking those that had made such a difference to the community at the forthcoming Civic Awards.

The Speaker also noted that January marks Tamil Heritage Month, and that Pongal – the Harvest Festival – commenced on 14th January. It was hoped that the celebrations went well.

Finally, he was pleased to announce that the ICC World Cup Trophy was on display at the Town Hall this evening, as part of the Bowl Out Racism campaign. Members were welcomed to view and have their photographs taken with the trophy.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of:

•                Councillor Sufia Alam (maternity leave)

•                Councillor Shah Ameen

•                Councillor Ayas Miah

•                Councillor Puru Miah

•                Councillor Abdul Mukit MBE

•                Councillor Krysten Perry

Apologies for lateness were received on behalf of  Councillors Marc Francis and Danny Hassell

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 of interest were reported.

To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 17th November 2021.

RESOLVED:

1.     That the unrestricted minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on Wednesday 17^th November 2021 be confirmed as a correct record and the Speaker be authorised to sign them accordingly.

The Chief Executive provided his regular update regarding the following issues:

·       Covid - 19 and Vaccines.  Whilst the Council were mindful that the infection rates had generally declined in the Borough, concerns remained about the increase in rates of infections in primary school age ranges and the increase in hospital and critical admissions. 231,415 have been vaccinated and the Council continues to work hard with the NHS to encourage take up of the vaccine and the Booster Jabs, where necessary.

·       The Council has also been working hard to minimise the impact of Omicron on staff sickness levels. He apologised for any inconvenience this had caused, particularly in relation to the increased sickness rates in waste and recycling, home to school transport and those supporting vulnerable people.

·       Award Success – He was pleased to report on the strong performance of local schools in relation to the Healthy School Awards in London, and their appearance in the Sunday Times top 100. Victoria Park had also once again been named as one of the10 People’s Choice winners.

·       Peer Challenge revisit. He advised that a report on this matter will be submitted to the Cabinet shortly. Further service focused peer visits were also planned

·       Staffing update. He was pleased to confirm that the following senior officers will be joining the Council shortly:

·       Susannah Beasley-Murray, the new Director of Supporting Families.

·       Musrat Zaman,  as the Director of Workforce, OD and Business Support.

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.

Maya Nessa and others addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners, and responded to questions from Members.  Councillor Sabina Akhtar, Cabinet Member for Culture, Arts and Sports then responded to the matters raised in the petition.

She expressed apologies for any inconvenience that had been caused to the Petitioner and the customers of the facilities.

She  also stated that she was mindful of the use of the access route as a short cut by customers and the decision to take action to prevent any further loss of income from this practice.

She also noted that the female customers could still directly access the changing rooms and the female only facilities, under the new arrangements at minimal inconvenience. Customers may also use the mix changing facilities as well as the female changing only rooms available at the pool, if they wished.

She also emphasised that the Council placed great importance on the provision of women only facilities. This is why in Mile End, it had increased the  opening hours of these facilities.

She expressed a willingness to meet with the Petitioners to discuss the concerns further.

RESOLVED

1.     That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Children and Culture 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 Danny Hassellmoved and Mayor John Biggs seconded the motion as printed in the agenda.

Councillor Andrew Wood moved and Councillor Peter Golds seconded an amendment to the motion (as set out in the supplementary agenda).

Added text is underlined

Deleted text is scored out.

This Council notes that:

1.             The housing crisis is the greatest challenge facing London today. Having an affordable, secure home is difficult for many people due to rising private rents and a lack of genuinely affordable homes.

2.             That the population in the Tower Hamlets borough is one of the fastest growing in London.

3.             As of 6th December 2021, Tower Hamlets Council has delivered the following:

4.             Additionally, we are working on the next phase of new council homes, including:

5.             In total this would total 2,046 additional council homes including homes that would have been bought by or were already owned by housing associations so the net increase in affordable homes is a lot less then 2,046

6.             The successful securing of £32m in grant funding from the Mayor of London’s Affordable Housing Programme to fund an additional 194 new homes for social rent in the borough. London got £3,465 million for new affordable homes in the most recent round of government money given to the Mayor of London to allocate within London to Boroughs and housing associations. Tower Hamlets Council only got £32 million of this money (or 0.9% of the total) for 194 homes (0.7% of the total). By comparison Tower Hamlets has been set a target to deliver 6.6% of all new homes in London. Some other housing associations based in Tower Hamlets like Poplar Harca have got money as well. By contrast Barking & Dagenham Council got £171 million and Newham Council £92 million.

7.             The introduction of a local lettings plan where 25% of completed homes can be let to households on the Common Housing Register who already live on the estates where the new homes are built: for example; Jubilee Street.

8.             The development and launch of the Intermediate Housing Register of Interest (launched 1st October 2021), which will give initial priority and access to local residents for all new intermediate housing in the borough.

9.             The approval of the ‘Affordable Self-Build’ Programme with the first 2  ...  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 Peter Goldsmoved and Councillor Andrew Wood seconded the motion as printed in the agenda.

The motion was put to a vote and was defeated.

To consider the report of the Cabinet in relation to the Annual Plan for the Youth Justice Board 2021/22.

The Council considered the report of Cabinet setting out the Annual Plan for the Youth Justice Board 2021/22 under the Budget and Policy Framework Procedures.

RESOLVED:

1.             Approve the Annual Youth Justice Plan 2021-22 for Tower Hamlets and the City of London.

Procedural Motion.

Under Council Procedure Rule 12.1 (c), Councillor Rabina Khan moved and Councillor Peter Golds seconded a  proposal  that the order of business be changed to consider Item 12.3, Motion regarding the Re-Opening of St Georges Swimming Pool as the next item of business, (on urgency grounds). This was put to the vote and was defeated.

To consider the report of the Audit Committee on the Treasury Management Mid-Year Report for 2021-22.

The Council considered the Treasury Management Mid-Year Report for 2021-22

RESOLVED:

1.             To note the Treasury Management Mid-Year Report for 2021-22

To consider the report of the General Purposes Committee on the post-election polling places review 2021.

The Council considered the report of the General Purposes Committee setting out the post-election polling places review 2021.

RESOLVED:

1.             To note the conclusions of the post-election review of polling places in Tower Hamlets.

2.             To note the responses received and to approve the polling place proposals set out in the report.

3.             To agree that where the allocation of a polling place has yet to be determined that the Returning Officer make the final decision to allocate places for the polls to be held in May 2022.

To consider a report from the Monitoring Officer asking Council to note changes to the Executive Scheme of Delegation.

The Council considered the report setting out updates to the Mayor's Executive Scheme of Delegation

RESOLVED:

1.             Note the changes to the Executive Scheme of Delegations.

To consider the report of the Monitoring Officer asking Council to approve the appointment of a new Independent Person and the reappointment of a second Independent Person in respect of the Standards Advisory Committee and Code of Conduct.

The Council considered the report regarding the Appointment of Independent Persons

RESOLVED:

1.             Appoint Amanda Orchard as an Independent Person with effect from 20 January 2022 for a four year term of office.

2.             Re-appoint Rachael Tiffin as an Independent Person for a second four-year term of office with effect from 20 January 2022.

3.         To note that the remuneration for an Independent Person is currently set at £1000/year.

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 Amina Ali:

Given the on-going Omicron wave, can the Lead Member provide an update on what the Council is doing to ensure all residents are provided with the opportunity to receive two doses of the vaccination along with the booster jab?

Response of Councillor Rachel Blake, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing:

Thank you for your work with people in encouraging the take up of the vaccine in the Borough.

In December, the Government announced a rapid expansion of the Covid – 19 booster programme. We had already by then established important relationships and partnerships with grass root organisations to encourage take up of the vaccine.

As at last week, the Partnership had administered over 109,000 booster doses, which was the equivalent of 53% of the eligible population.

The Council has played a really critical role in terms of making buildings available, and working in partnership with the NHS.

I am particularly proud of the work we have done to provide culturally competent engagement with grass root organisations to support our diverse community.

No supplementary question was asked.

11.2Question from Councillor Kabir Ahmed:

The Mayor will have seen reports circulating on social media that in response to an FOI request the Council has revealed that it has spent some £156 million over the last three years via the “AP1” voucher procedures.  Will the Mayor please explain to the Council the following:

a)  what the procedures for authorising an AP1 payment  are?

b)  whether there are any caps on the sums which may be spent via the AP1 procedure?

c)  whether it is correct that AP1 procedures are used for spending in “exceptional circumstances”?

d)  whether the Mayor was made or became aware of this level of spending using the AP1 procedure before the FOI response was made public?

Response of Mayor John Biggs:

It’s not as sensational as suggested by the question. This was a fairly routine process, by which the Council manages payments. API payments are authorised by the budget holder, based on the Council’s Scheme of Delegation. There are additional levels of authorisation rather than an upper limit – with the   larger decisions taken by more Senior Officers.

There are limits on how a BACs or a CHAPs payment may take place.  They are not only used for exceptional payments, but in  incidences where there are no invoices, where it’s a non regular payment. Property transactions is a fairly significant example of that. Other examples would be ad hoc foster career allowances, grants paid out by the Council’s refunds and long service awards.

The procedures are used for a wide variety of purposes. Every council had such procedures. I welcome scrutiny on this matter and public and press interest in this.

Supplementary question from Councillor Kabir Ahmed:

Can you explain the circumstances  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

12.1   Motion regarding Memorial to the Matchwomen and Matchgirls

Councillor Sabina Akhtar moved and Councillor Rachel Blake seconded the motion as printed in the agenda

RESOLVED:

This Council believes:

1.             We have a proud modern history in Tower Hamlets of championing diversity and standing up to discrimination, but there is more we can do

2.             That historically under-represented groups should be remembered in the public realm

3.             That the women and girls who took part in the Match Factory Strike of 1888 were pioneers of the Labour Movement (see notes)

This Council notes:

1.             The Council has pro-actively undertaking a review of race and equality in the public realm.

2.             The purpose of the review was to share thoughts about under-representation in public spaces – not only in terms of race, but also on issues across the equalities landscape including but not limited to civil rights, workers’, women’s and LGBTQ+ rights and more.

3.             The review asked the community identify and nominate other names, particularly of under-represented groups, who have done something memorable and who we should celebrate.

This Council resolves:

1.             To welcome ideas for remembering the Matchwomen and Matchgirls who fought for their employment rights

2.             To work with the Matchgirls Memorial Trust to remember the struggle of the Matchwomen and Matchgirls

(Motions 12.2- 12.3 were not considered due to lack of time).