To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillor Carli Harper-Penman and Councillor Mohammed Mamun Rashid.

DECISION

That the apologies for absence be noted.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillor Carli Harper-Penman and Councillor Mohammed Mamun Rashid.

RESOLVED

That the apologies for absence be noted.

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 Chief Executive.

Please see minutes.

Councillors made declarations of interest in items included on the agenda as follows:

To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Council held on 25^th June 2008.

DECISION

That subject to amendments to (i) correct the spelling of Cllr Shahed Ali’s name; and (ii) record the declaration of interest by Cllr Philip Briscoe, the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 25^th June 2008 be amended as indicated and confirmed as a correct record of the proceedings and the Mayor be authorised to sign them accordingly.

RESOLVED

That subject to amendments to (i) correct the spelling of Cllr Shahed Ali’s name; and (ii) record the declaration by Cllr Philip Briscoe of a personal interest in agenda item 10.1 as the Director of a company that provides advice on property development; the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 25^th June 2008 be confirmed as a correct record of the proceedings and the Mayor be authorised to sign them accordingly.

Please see minutes.

(i)                 Former Councillors Dan Kelly and Brian Son

At the invitation of the Mayor the Council, officers and members of the public stood for a minute’s silence in memory of former Councillors Dan Kelly and Brian Son, who had each passed away recently.

Councillor Lutfur Rahman, Leader of the Council, paid tribute to the work that the two former Councillors had undertaken on behalf of the people of Tower Hamlets.  Councillors Alex Heslop, Tim Archer, Abjol Miah, Stephanie Eaton and Peter Golds endorsed Councillor Rahman’s comments and added their own tributes to Councillors Kelly and Son and condolences to their respective families.

(ii)               Local Democracy Week

The Mayor said that Councillors were aware that this week was Local Democracy Week and he welcomed Faiza Mukeith, Deputy Young Mayor to the meeting.  A full programme of Local Democracy Week activities was taking place in the Town Hall and in schools across the borough to promote young people’s awareness of and participation in democracy.  There was a display of School Council declarations outside the Chamber and Local Democracy Week also marked the opening of nominations for the Young Mayor elections 2009.

(iii)             Children’s Services announcements - Councillor Clare Hawkins

Councillor Clare Hawkins, Lead Member for Children’s Services,  announced that figures to be published shortly showed that there had been a significant increase this year in the proportion of young people from Tower Hamlets achieving 5 or more GCSEs at A*-C grades including English and Maths. Councillor Hawkins also informed the Council that the Government had uplifted the funding for the Building Schools for the Future Programme to £300 million; and that Tower Hamlets had been shortlisted for Beacon Status for tackling child poverty.

(iv)             Bancroft Library - Councillor Lutfur Rahman

Councillor Lutfur Rahman, Leader of the Council, announced that following consultation and consideration of expert advice in relation to the Local History Library and archive, it had been decided that the Bancroft Library would not be sold to Queen Mary College but would be retained by the Council for the Library and Archive.   Councillor Peter Golds welcomed the Leader’s announcement on this matter.

(v)       Assistant Chief Executive

The Leader of the Council welcomed Mr Lutfur Ali, recently appointed to the post of Assistant Chief Executive, to the meeting.

The deputations and petitions that have been received for presentation to the Council Meeting are set out in the attached agenda item 5.  Any further requests received before the deadline of Thursday 9^th October will be circulated separately to Members.

DEPUTATIONS

5.1.1       Deputation: Leaseholder Services

Mr. Andrew Coles addressed the meeting in support of the deputation.

DECISION

That the deputation be referred to the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal for a written response on outstanding matters within 28 days.

(Action by:  Paul Evans, Interim Corporate Director, Development and Renewal)

Change to order of business agreed

11.3         Motion submitted by Councillor Tim Archer regarding Leaseholder Services

An amendment moved by Cllr Marc Francis and seconded by Cllr Lutfur Rahman was agreed.  The substantive motion as amended was then agreed as follows:-

DECISION

This Council supports the principle of leaseholders only being charged for services they actually receive.

It further notes the need to drive up the performance of Arms Length Management under Tower Hamlets Homes to be confident of achieving a two-star rating from the Audit Commission when it is inspected;

It also notes the continuing dissatisfaction of some leaseholders with the overall service they receive, particularly in respect of:

• Information and consultation on both major works and annual service charges
• The overall level of both major works and annual charges, particularly the management and administration element
• The value for money that these charges represent and the quality of services that leaseholders are asked to pay for

This Council welcomes the constructive role Tower Hamlets Leaseholders Association has played in representing the interests of individual leaseholders in dispute with LB Tower Hamlets and in helping to shape council policy.

Furthermore, this council welcomes the following recent developments:

• The decision to issue a £50 rebate on the administration charge for 2006/07, and repeat this £50 rebate in the 2007/08 “actuals”
• The Scrutiny Review of Leasehold Services, including its key recommendation of the need for greater transparency and accountability in the calculation and apportionment of charges
• The Leasehold Valuation Tribunal’s judgements on Lister House, the 2006/07 “estimates” and the Aurora House test case
• The early signs of improvement in the day-to-day caretaking, management and maintenance since the establishment Tower Hamlets Homes.

Nevertheless, believes that further measures are needed to ensure sustained improvements in performance, greater value for money and improve satisfaction amongst leaseholders.  And therefore resolves to request the Cabinet to:

• Commission an independent audit of the processes used by Tower Hamlets Homes to determine the leasehold service charge “actuals” for 2007/08 to ensure these are accurately calculated in accordance with best practice
• Instruct the Lead Councillor for Housing and Development to urgently draw up the remit for this audit following consultation with Tower Hamlets Leaseholders Association, Opposition Parties and other representative bodies
• Ensures that this review is carried out in accordance with the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Regeneration Act 1993 in respect of management audits
• Require this audit to be completed in time to inform the 2009/10 “estimates” and the 2008/09 “actuals”.

PETITIONS

5.2.1       Petition re: Muslim graveyard

Mr. Rabbi Ashfak Hussain addressed the meeting in support of the petition.

DECISION

That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal for  ...  view the full decision text for item 5.

DEPUTATIONS

5.1.1       Leaseholder Services

At the invitation of the Mayor, Mr. Andrew Coles addressed the meeting about leaseholder services and charges.

After Mr Coles had addressed the meeting, Councillor Tim Archer MOVED and Councillor Peter Golds SECONDED – “That under Rule 14.1.3 (to change the order of business in the agenda), agenda item 11.3 (motion on leaseholder services) be moved forward to follow immediately the deputation from the Tower Hamlets Leaseholders Association.”

The procedural motion to change the order of business was put to the vote and was agreed with no Member voting against.

Mr. Coles then responded to questions from Members of the Council.

Councillor Marc Francis, Lead Member for Housing and Development, then responded to the matters raised by the deputation.     

RESOLVED

That the deputation be referred to the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal for a written response on outstanding matters within 28 days.

Change to order of business

11.3         Motion submitted by Councillor Tim Archer regarding Leaseholder Services

Councillor Tim Archer MOVED and Councillor Peter Golds, SECONDED the motion as set out at agenda item 11.3.

Councillor Marc Francis MOVED and Councillor Lutfur Rahman SECONDED an amendment to the motion as follows:-

‘Delete from “This Council notes ….” To “… firm of auditors.” and replace with the following text

“This Council supports the principle of leaseholders only being charged for services they actually receive.

It further notes the need to drive up the performance of Arms Length Management under Tower Hamlets Homes to be confident of achieving a two-star rating from the Audit Commission when it is inspected;

It also notes the continuing dissatisfaction of some leaseholders with the overall service they receive, particularly in respect of:

• Information and consultation on both major works and annual service charges
• The overall level of both major works and annual charges, particularly the management and administration element
• The value for money that these charges represent and the quality of services that leaseholders are asked to pay for

This Council welcomes the constructive role Tower Hamlets Leaseholders Association has played in representing the interests of individual leaseholders in dispute with LB Tower Hamlets and in helping to shape council policy.

Furthermore, this council welcomes the following recent developments:

• The decision to issue a £50 rebate on the administration charge for 2006/07, and repeat this £50 rebate in the 2007/08 “actuals”
• The Scrutiny Review of Leasehold Services, including its key recommendation of the need for greater transparency and accountability in the calculation and apportionment of charges
• The Leasehold Valuation Tribunal’s judgements on Lister House, the 2006/07 “estimates” and the Aurora House test case
• The early signs of improvement in the day-to-day caretaking, management and maintenance since the establishment Tower Hamlets Homes.

Nevertheless, believes that further measures are needed to ensure sustained improvements in performance, greater value for money and improve satisfaction amongst leaseholders.  And therefore resolves that Cabinet:

• Commission an independent audit of the processes used by Tower Hamlets Homes to determine the leasehold service charge “actuals  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

No written questions from members of the public have been submitted for response at this meeting.

No public questions received.

No public questions were received.

(Maximum of 30 minutes allowed)

The questions which have been received from Members of the Council are set out in agenda item 7.

7.1             Question from Councillor Ahmed  Omer to the Lead Member for Children’s Services, Councillor Clair Hawkins re: investment in Youth Services in the Borough.

7.2             Question from Councillor Tim Archer to the Lead Member for Resources and Performance, Councillor Joshua Peck re: the current position regarding securing the future of Poplar Baths.

7.3             Question from Councillor Abjol Miah to the Leader of the Council, Councillor Lutfur Rahman re: child poverty.

7.4             Question from Councillor Stephanie Eaton to the Lead Member for Cleaner, Safer, Greener, Councillor Abdal Ullah re: National Indicator N135 (Building resistance to violent extremism).

7.5             Question from Councillor Fazlul Haque to the Lead Member for Cleaner, Safer, Greener, Councillor Abdal Ullah re: plans to increase the number of Police officers in the borough over the next two years.

7.6             Question from Councillor Dr. Emma Jones to the Lead Member for Cleaner, Safer, Greener, Councillor Abdal Ullah re: what the council is doing to ensure that a fuller use is made of the river as part of the public transport network.

7.7             Question from Councillor Fozol Miah to the Leader Member for Housing and Development, Councillor Marc Francis re: the number of Council and RSL properties that have not had heat insulating refurbishment.

The above questions, and oral supplementary questions where put, were responded to by the relevant lead members.

Due to the lack of time, questions 7.8 to 7.27 were not put.  Written responses will be forwarded to the questioners.

(Action by John Williams, Service Head, Democratic Services)

Twenty seven questions were submitted by Councillors for response by members of the Cabinet as listed in agenda item 7.  The questions, together in each case with the response of the relevant Lead Member and a summary of any supplementary question and response, are set out below.

Councillor Ahmed Hussain MOVED and Councillor Peter Golds SECONDED, “That under Procedural Rule 14.1.14, rule 11.3 be suspended to allow an urgent question to be put as follows:-  ‘Can the Leader let us know why is the Council helping Poplar HARCA to continually bully us the residents of Burdett and implementing policies that are not consulted with or in favour of the local residents’.”

The procedural motion was put to the vote and was defeated.

7.1             Question from Councillor Ahmed  Omer to the Lead Member for Children’s Services, Councillor Clair Hawkins

Can the Lead Member for Children’s Services tell us whether there will be any much-needed investment in Youth Services in the borough?

 Response of the Lead Member:

            An additional £1Million funding has been agreed to uplift the annual revenue stream of the youth contracted services which will bring significant benefit to all young people across the borough.  This funding will provide an opportunity for more young people to be engaged in structured, positive activities across all LAP areas.  This will bring the following benefits;

·        an increase in provision in each LAP including week-end provision with at least one centre open to 12.00 midnight on Saturday and 10.30pm on week nights

·        engagement with the Duke of Edinburgh Award offering at least one Award Club in each LAP,

·        additional skills and expertise so that all remaining unqualified staff become qualified youth workers and all staff take up specialist curriculum training such as Duke of Edinburgh, drugs education, or sex and relationships education

·        an increase in the proportion of accredited outcomes by 20% on the current targets, to include at least 15 Duke of Edinburgh bronze award level achievers in each LAP

·        outreach work with targeted under-represented groups, particularly young people with disabilities and girls, to ensure a 10% annual uplift on the existing contract target for the number of young people engaged in activities leading to accredited outcomes

·        work with parents to market and advertise activities in every centre, to attract a wider range of young people and the development of parent-led and parent-supported activity.

·        In addition to this unprecedented increase in revenue support resources have also been allocated to improve the centres.  The Osmani Centre in Spitalfields will be rebuilt and we have submitted a bid to secure government funding to create a world class centre at the Haileybury site.

Summary of supplementary question from Councillor Ahmed Omer 

Can the Lead Member tell me the proposed level of investment in Bow and the LAP 5 area?

Summary of Lead Member’s response

LAP 5 has been allocated an uplift of nearly £80k per year.  Hitherto Bow has not had many youth centres and I am pleased that this money will deliver for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

1.         Crime and Drugs Reduction Partnership Plan 2008-2011

DECISION

That the Crime and Drugs Reduction Partnership Plan 2008-11, attached at Appendix 1 to the report (CAB 041/089) be approved.

(Action by:  Stephen Halsey, Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture)

Crime and Drugs Reduction Partnership Plan 2008-2011

The meeting considered the report of the Cabinet meeting on 10^th September 2008 in relation to the above item.

Councillor Abdal Ullah, Lead Member for Safer, Greener, Cleaner introduced the report and commented in particular on the work that had been undertaken on reducing drug problems in the borough. 

Councillor Abdal Ullah MOVED and Councillor Lutfur Rahman SECONDED the recommendations as set out in the report. 

After discussion Councillor Peck MOVED and Councillor Sirajul Islam SECONDED “That the question be now put.” 

The procedural motion was put to the vote and was agreed with no Member voting against.

The recommendations as moved by Councillor Adbal Ullah and seconded by Councillor Lutfur Rahman were then put to the vote and were agreed.  Accordingly it was:-

RESOLVED

That the Crime and Drugs Reduction Partnership Plan 2008-11, attached at Appendix 1 to the report (CAB 041/089) be approved.

No business under this heading to be considered.

There was no business under this heading to be considered.

There was no business under this heading to be considered.

No business under this heading to be considered.

There was no business under this heading to be considered.

There was no business under this heading to be considered.

Councillor Joshua Peck moved and Councillor Sirajul Islam seconded an amendment to delete recommendation 2.3 as set out in the report.  This amendment was agreed. The substantive recommendations as amended were then agreed as follows:-

DECISION

1.                  That the review of proportionality at paragraph 3 in the report be noted and the Council agree the allocation of seats on committees and panels established for the remainder of the Municipal Year 2008/09 as set out in paragraph 4 of the report.

2.                  That Members and deputies be appointed to serve on the committees and panels affected by this change in accordance with the nominations from the political groups to be notified to the Assistant Chief Executive.

(Action by:  John Williams, Service Head, Democratic Services)

Councillor Lutfur Rahman MOVED and Councillor Sirajul Islam SECONDED the recommendations as set out in the report.

After discussion, Councillor Joshua Peck MOVED and Councillor Sirajul Islam SECONDED an amendment as follow:- “That recommendation 2.3 as set out in the report be deleted.” 

After further discussion the amendment moved by Councillor Peck and seconded by Councillor Islam was put to the vote and was agreed.

The substantive recommendations as amended were then put to the vote and were agreed.  Accordingly it was:-

RESOLVED

1.                  That the review of proportionality at paragraph 3 in the report be noted and the Council agree the allocation of seats on committees and panels established for the remainder of the Municipal Year 2008/09 as set out in paragraph 4 of the report.

2.                  That Members and deputies be appointed to serve on the committees and panels affected by this change in accordance with the nominations from the political groups to be notified to the Assistant Chief Executive.

The motions submitted by Members of the Council for debate at this Council Meeting are set out in agenda item 11.

Motions 11.1, 11.2 and 11.4 to 11.10 as listed below were not considered due to lack of time, the meeting having closed following item 10.1 above (and motion 11.3 being considered earlier in the meeting) in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9 (Duration of meeting).

11.1         Motion submitted by Councillor Abjol Miah regarding Utilities Charges.

11.2         Motion submitted by Councillor Stephanie Eaton regarding Community Cohesion and ID Cards

11.4    Motion submitted by Councillor Alex Heslop regarding support for the Co-operative and Social Enterprise Sector

11.5         Motion submitted by Councillor Dulal Uddin regarding the Recession

11.6         Motion submitted by Councillor Ahmed Hussain regarding Webcasting Council committee meetings

11.7         Motion submitted by Councillor Rania Khan regarding Ghurka Rights

11.8         Motion submitted by Councillor Harun Miah regarding Child Poverty

11.9         Motion submitted by Councillor Mohammed Abdul Munim regarding Policing

11.10    Motion submitted by Councillor Maman Rashid regarding Tarling Estate

Motions 11.1, 11.2 and 11.4 to 11.10 as listed below were not considered due to lack of time, the meeting having closed following item 10.1 above in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9 (Duration of meeting) and motion 11.3 having been considered earlier in the meeting.

11.1         Motion submitted by Councillor Abjol Miah regarding Utilities Charges.

11.2         Motion submitted by Councillor Stephanie Eaton regarding Community Cohesion and ID Cards

11.4    Motion submitted by Councillor Alex Heslop regarding support for the Co-operative and Social Enterprise Sector

11.5         Motion submitted by Councillor Dulal Uddin regarding the Recession

11.6         Motion submitted by Councillor Ahmed Hussain regarding Webcasting Council committee meetings

11.7         Motion submitted by Councillor Rania Khan regarding Ghurka Rights

11.8         Motion submitted by Councillor Harun Miah regarding Child Poverty

11.9         Motion submitted by Councillor Mohammed Abdul Munim regarding Policing

11.10    Motion submitted by Councillor Mamun Rashid regarding Tarling Estate