Agenda, decisions and minutes
Venue: The Council Chamber, 1st Floor, Town Hall, Mulberry Place, 5 Clove Crescent, London, E14 2BG
Contact: John S Williams, Service Head, Democratic Services Tel: 020 7364 4204, E-mail: johns.williams@towerhamlets.gov.uk
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE To receive any apologies for absence. Decision: NB: The order of business was varied during the course of the meeting but, for ease of reference, the decision sheet is in the same order as the agenda.
Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors Lutfa Begum, Carli Harper-Penman and Shelina Aktar (for lateness).
Minutes: Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors Lutfa Begum and Carli Harper-Penman; and apologies for lateness from Councillor Shelina Aktar.
RESOLVED
That the apologies received be noted.
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DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST 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.
Decision: Please see minutes.
Minutes: Councillors made declarations of interest on items included on the agenda as follows:-
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To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the Annual Council Meeting held on 18th May 2011. Decision: DECISION
That the minutes of the Annual Council Meeting held on 18th May 2011 be confirmed as a correct record of the proceedings and the Chair of the Council be authorised to sign them accordingly.
(Action by: John S Williams, Service Head, Democratic Services)
Minutes: RESOLVED
That the minutes of the Annual Council Meeting held on 18th May 2011 be confirmed as a correct record of the proceedings and the Chair of the Council be authorised to sign them accordingly.
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TO RECEIVE ANNOUNCEMENTS (IF ANY) FROM THE CHAIR OF COUNCIL OR THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE Decision: 4.1 Mr Barry Blandford
The Chair of Council made an announcement regarding the death on 2nd July 2011 of Mr Barry Blandford, a former Councillor for Lansbury Ward and Mayor of Tower Hamlets in 1991/92. He outlined Mr Blandford’s work and achievements for the Borough.
Tributes to Mr Barry Blandford were also paid by Councillors Stephanie Eaton, Joshua Peck and Peter Golds.
The Council then rose for a minute’s silence in Mr Blandford’s memory.
Minutes: 4.1 Mr Barry Blandford
The Chair of Council made an announcement regarding the death on 2nd July 2011 of Mr Barry Blandford, a former Councillor for Lansbury Ward and Mayor of Tower Hamlets in 1991/92. He outlined Mr Blandford’s work and achievements for the Borough.
Tributes to Mr Barry Blandford were also paid by Councillors Stephanie Eaton, Joshua Peck and Peter Golds.
The Council then rose for a minute’s silence in Mr Blandford’s memory.
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TO RECEIVE ANY PETITIONS The deadline for receipt of petitions to be presented to this meeting is noon on Thursday 7th July 2011.
However, at the time of agenda despatch the maximum number of three petitions had already been received and details of these are set out in the attached report. Decision: 5.1 Petition from Mr A. Bentham and Mr Terry McGrenara regarding Budget Savings
Mr Terry McGrenara addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners and responded to questions from Members. Councillor Alibor Choudhury, Cabinet Member for Resources, then responded to the issues raised.
DECISION
That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Resources, for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
(Action by: Chris Naylor, Corporate Director, Resources)
5.2 Petition from East London Teachers’ Association regarding Academy Status
Mr Paul McGarr addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners and responded to questions from Members. Councillor Oliur Rahman, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, then responded to the issues raised.
DECISION
That the petition be referred to the Acting Corporate Director, Children, Schools & Families, for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
(Action by: Isobel Cattermole, Acting Corporate Director, Children, Schools & Families)
5.3 Petition from Mr Ernest Dawe and others regarding Council properties in Bruce Road, E3
Mr Ernest Dawe addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners and responded to questions from Members. Councillor Rabina Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing, then responded to the issues raised.
DECISION
That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Development & Renewal, for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
(Action by: Aman Dalvi, Corporate Director, Development & Renewal)
Additional Petition
The Council agreed to suspend Procedure Rule 19.2 to enable the following additional petition to be heard:-
5.4 Petition from Mr Glyn Robbins and others regarding the English Defence League (EDL)
Mr Glyn Robbins addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners and responded to questions from Members.
Minutes: 5.1 Petition from Mr A. Bentham, Mr Terry McGrenara and others regarding Budget Savings
Mr Terry McGrenara addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners and replied to questions from Members.
Councillor Alibor Choudhury, Cabinet Member for Resources, then responded to the issues raised. He shared the petitioners’ disgust and objection to the cuts forced on to the Borough by the Coalition Government. Whilst it was a legal requirement to ensure a balanced budget, the Mayor and Cabinet were working hard to ensure that the centrally driven cuts did not impact on frontline services and those who needed support most. Children’s centres, THEOs and the Youth Service had been protected and building of social housing had continued. Compulsory redundancies were some of the lowest in London and savings were being made through more efficient working practices.
RESOLVED
That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Resources, for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
5.2 Petition from East London Teachers’ Association regarding Academy Status
Mr Paul McGarr addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners and responded to questions from Members.
Councillor Oliur Rahman, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, then responded to the issues raised. He regretted that the Chair of the Labour Party in the borough was a key player in the Bethnal Green Technology College vote to apply for academy status. The Mayor’s position against academy status was clear. Educational results in Tower Hamlets had improved at a faster rate that any other area in the country over the past ten years and this had been achieved through collective work between schools and the local authority.
RESOLVED
That the petition be referred to the Acting Corporate Director, Children, Schools & Families, for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
Change to Order of Business
Councillor Motin Uz-Zaman MOVED and Councillor Joshua Peck SECONDED a procedural motion – “That under Procedure Rule 14.1.3 the order of business be varied to allow motion 12.1 to be considered after item 5.2.”
The procedural motion was put to the vote and agreed.
12.1 Motion proposed by Councillor Bill Turner regarding Academy Schools – Bethnal Green Technology College
Councillor Bill Turner MOVED, and Councillor Amy Whitelock SECONDED, the motion as printed in the agenda and as amended by their own tabled amendment, the terms of which are incorporated hereunder.
Councillor Peter Golds MOVED, and Councillor Zara Davis SECONDED, a further tabled amendment as follows: –
“Delete all and insert:
This Council notes:
· That Academy Schools were first established under the Tony Blair Government in 2000 and there are now 629 throughout England.
· The Mossbourne Academy in neighbouring Hackney, the venue for a joint promotional meeting by Tony Blair and Gordon Brown in 2005, is now one of the most popular and successful state schools in the entire country, a vast difference from its days as the failing Hackney Downs School.
This Council further notes:
· That ... view the full minutes text for item 5. |
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TO RECEIVE WRITTEN QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC The questions which have been received from members of the public to be put at this meeting are set out in the attached report.
A maximum period of 20 minutes is allocated to this agenda item. Decision: 6.1 Question from Mr Sheikh Raquib to Mayor Lutfur Rahman regarding Major Works charges made by housing associations in the borough.
6.2 Question from Ms Myra Garrett to Mayor Lutfur Rahman regarding housing benefit payments.
6.3 Question from Mr Saif Uddin to Mayor Lutfur Rahman regarding housing benefit payments.
6.4 Question from Ms Sultana Ali to Mayor Lutfur Rahman regarding King Edward Memorial Park.
6.5 Question from Ms Kerstyn Comley of The Wapping and Shadwell Secondary Education Trust to Mayor Lutfur Rahman on the matter of an application submitted by the Trust to provide a comprehensive, inclusive free school.
NB: The above questions were not put due to the time limit of the meeting being reached. Written responses will be provided to each question.
(Action by: John S Williams, Service Head, Democratic Services)
Minutes: 6.1 Question from Mr Sheikh Raquib to Mayor Lutfur Rahman regarding Major Works charges made by housing associations in the borough.
6.2 Question from Ms Myra Garrett to Mayor Lutfur Rahman regarding housing benefit payments.
6.3 Question from Mr Saif Uddin to Mayor Lutfur Rahman regarding housing benefit payments.
6.4 Question from Ms Sultana Ali to Mayor Lutfur Rahman regarding King Edward Memorial Park.
6.5 Question from Ms Kerstyn Comley of The Wapping and Shadwell Secondary Education Trust to Mayor Lutfur Rahman on the matter of an application submitted by the Trust to provide a comprehensive, inclusive free school.
The above questions were not put due to the time limit of the meeting being reached. Written responses would be provided to each question.
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MAYOR'S REPORT In accordance with the Council’s Constitution as amended, provision is made at each ordinary Council meeting for the Elected Mayor to give a report.
A maximum of five minutes is allowed for the Elected Mayor’s report, following which the Chair of Council will give the respective political group leaders an opportunity to respond for up to one minute each if they wish. Decision: No report was made due to the time limit for the meeting being reached.
Minutes: No report was made due to the time limit for the meeting being reached.
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TO RECEIVE WRITTEN QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL The questions which have been received from Councillors to be put at this meeting are set out in the attached report.
A maximum period of 30 minutes is allocated to this agenda item. Decision: 8.1 Question from Councillor Judith Gardiner to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“Can the Mayor tell me why the Council is selling large, family sized homes at auction to the highest bidder when there is a desperate shortage of this type of social housing across the Borough?”
8.2 Question from Councillor David Snowdon to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“In the course of his duties on behalf of Tower Hamlets Council has the Mayor ever consulted the Islamic Forum for Europe on Council policy? Does he believe they are an appropriate organisation to consult on Council matters?
8.3 Question from Councillor Kosru Uddin to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“Does the Mayor share my concerns over potential police counter closures and changes to Safer Neighbourhood Teams in Tower Hamlets?”
8.4 Question from Councillor Harun Miah to the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Councillor Oliur Rahman:
“Whilst acknowledging that it is ignorance rather than knowledge which leads young people into unfortunate, inappropriate and abusive sexual relationships, is the Cabinet Member for Education aware of the widespread concern amongst many parents about the current practices in teaching Sex and Relationship Education (SRE) in the borough, particularly in relation to some aspects of SRE being taught to those under the age of 11 and being taught with a particular DVD which has provoked concern, and could he outline what measures the Council is taking to reassure parents that Sex and Relationship Education in this borough is taught appropriately, using the appropriate materials and at the appropriate ages?”
8.5 Question from Councillor David Edgar to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“Can the Mayor tell me how many jobs so far have been taken up by Tower Hamlets residents as a result of the deal made between him and LOCOG?”
8.6 Question from Councillor Zara Davis to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“In 2010 how many GCSE students in LBTH schools achieved 5 A* grades including English and Maths, and how many A2 students at LBTH colleges and sixth forms achieved at least 1 A* and 2 A grades? What is being done to ensure that the brightest students in our borough are being stretched?”
8.7 Question from Councillor Denise Jones to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“Can the Mayor tell me what negotiations the Council has had with LOCOG over the Olympic Route Network?”
8.8 Question from Councillor Fozol Miah to the Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Rabina Khan:
“Is the Cabinet Member for Housing aware that many homes, including large family homes, built in recent years have been built in “car free zones”, that large and poorer families in particular need large family cars for cheap and secure transport and to transport foodstuffs in bulk and that “car free” homes therefore discriminate against larger and poorer families and will she therefore agree to lobby central government to repeal legislation and to seek changes to strategic planning which has imposed these “car free” homes on Tower Hamlets residents, to seek any loopholes that may exist to reduce the ... view the full decision text for item 8. Minutes: 8.1 Question from Councillor Judith Gardiner to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“Can the Mayor tell me why the Council is selling large, family sized homes at auction to the highest bidder when there is a desperate shortage of this type of social housing across the Borough?”
8.2 Question from Councillor David Snowdon to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“In the course of his duties on behalf of Tower Hamlets Council has the Mayor ever consulted the Islamic Forum for Europe on Council policy? Does he believe they are an appropriate organisation to consult on Council matters?
8.3 Question from Councillor Kosru Uddin to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“Does the Mayor share my concerns over potential police counter closures and changes to Safer Neighbourhood Teams in Tower Hamlets?”
8.4 Question from Councillor Harun Miah to the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Councillor Oliur Rahman:
“Whilst acknowledging that it is ignorance rather than knowledge which leads young people into unfortunate, inappropriate and abusive sexual relationships, is the Cabinet Member for Education aware of the widespread concern amongst many parents about the current practices in teaching Sex and Relationship Education (SRE) in the borough, particularly in relation to some aspects of SRE being taught to those under the age of 11 and being taught with a particular DVD which has provoked concern, and could he outline what measures the Council is taking to reassure parents that Sex and Relationship Education in this borough is taught appropriately, using the appropriate materials and at the appropriate ages?”
8.5 Question from Councillor David Edgar to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“Can the Mayor tell me how many jobs so far have been taken up by Tower Hamlets residents as a result of the deal made between him and LOCOG?”
8.6 Question from Councillor Zara Davis to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“In 2010 how many GCSE students in LBTH schools achieved 5 A* grades including English and Maths, and how many A2 students at LBTH colleges and sixth forms achieved at least 1 A* and 2 A grades? What is being done to ensure that the brightest students in our borough are being stretched?”
8.7 Question from Councillor Denise Jones to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“Can the Mayor tell me what negotiations the Council has had with LOCOG over the Olympic Route Network?”
8.8 Question from Councillor Fozol Miah to the Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Rabina Khan:
“Is the Cabinet Member for Housing aware that many homes, including large family homes, built in recent years have been built in “car free zones”, that large and poorer families in particular need large family cars for cheap and secure transport and to transport foodstuffs in bulk and that “car free” homes therefore discriminate against larger and poorer families and will she therefore agree to lobby central government to repeal legislation and to seek changes to strategic planning which has imposed these “car free” homes on Tower Hamlets residents, to seek any loopholes that may exist to reduce the ... view the full minutes text for item 8. |
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REPORTS FROM THE EXECUTIVE AND THE COUNCIL'S COMMITTEES |
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Tower Hamlets Community Plan Refresh 2011 To approve the Tower Hamlets Community Plan 2011. The draft plan and the recommendations of the Cabinet Meeting on 8th June 2011 are attached. Additional documents:
Decision: DECISION
1. That the Tower Hamlets Community Plan 2011 be approved as attached at Appendix 1 to the report (CAB 005/112) (Attached at Appendix A to the Council report).
2. That the Chief Executive, after consultation with the Mayor, be authorised to make appropriate and necessary amendments to the Tower Hamlets Community Plan 2011 prior to publication.
(Action by: Isabella Freeman, Assistant Chief Executive [Legal Services]) Minutes: The Council considered the draft Tower Hamlets Community Plan 2011 and the recommendations of the Cabinet in this regard.
RESOLVED
1. That the Tower Hamlets Community Plan 2011 be approved as attached at Appendix 1 to the report (CAB 005/112) (Attached at Appendix A to the Council report).
2. That the Chief Executive, after consultation with the Mayor, be authorised to make appropriate and necessary amendments to the Tower Hamlets Community Plan 2011 prior to publication.
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Responsible Drinking Borough To consider designating the Borough of Tower Hamlets as a Responsible Drinking Borough. The report of the Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture is attached and the recommendations of the Cabinet on this matter will be circulated after the Cabinet Meeting on 6th July 2011. Additional documents: Decision: DECISION
That the London Borough of Tower Hamlets be designated by means of a Designated Public Place Order under Section 13 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001, to be known as a Responsible Drinking Borough, as set out in the circulated Cabinet report (CAB 014/112).
(Action by: Stephen Halsey, Corporate Director, Communities, Localities & Culture) Minutes: The Council considered a proposal to designate the London Borough of Tower Hamlets as a Responsible Drinking Borough. The report of the Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture was included in the agenda papers and an addendum report was tabled setting out the Cabinet’s decision on the matter and giving further information on the Equalities Impact Assessment that had been carried out.
RESOLVED
That the London Borough of Tower Hamlets be designated by means of a Designated Public Place Order under Section 13 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001, to be known as a Responsible Drinking Borough, as set out in the circulated Cabinet report (CAB 014/112).
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Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report To receive the Annual Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2010/11. The Annual Report is attached. Additional documents: Decision: DECISION
That the annual report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2010/11 be noted.
Minutes: The Council considered the annual report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2010/11.
RESOLVED
That the annual report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2010/11 be noted.
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TO RECEIVE REPORTS AND QUESTIONS ON JOINT ARRANGEMENTS AND EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS (if any) There is no business to conduct under this agenda item. Decision: There was no business under this agenda item.
Minutes: There was no business under this agenda item.
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OTHER BUSINESS |
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Treasury Management Outturn Report 2010-11, Update to 31 May 2011 The outturn report reviewing treasury management activity for the financial year 2010/11 is presented for the Council’s information as recommended by the CIPFA Treasury Management Code of Practice. The report of the Corporate Director, Resources is attached. Decision: DECISION
That the report be noted.
(Action by: Chris Naylor, Corporate Director, Resources)
Minutes: RESOLVED
That the report be noted.
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TO CONSIDER MOTIONS SUBMITTED BY MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL The motions submitted by Councillors for debate at this meeting are set out in the attached report. Decision: 12.1 Motion proposed by Councillor Bill Turner regarding Academy Schools – Bethnal Green Technology College
Councillor Bill Turner moved, and Councillor Amy Whitelock seconded, the motion as printed in the agenda and as amended by their own tabled amendment.
Councillor Peter Golds moved, and Councillor Zara Davis seconded, a further tabled amendment to the motion. This amendment was put to the vote and defeated.
Councillor Fozol Miah moved, and Councillor Harun Miah seconded, a further tabled amendment to the motion. This amendment was put to the vote and defeated.
The substantive motion as amended was then put to the vote and was agreed as follows:-
This Council notes:
1. That education results in Tower Hamlets have improved at a faster rate than in any other area of the country over the last 10 years.
2. This significant improvement in attainment has been achieved through collective working between schools and the Local Authority, under previous Labour administrations.
3. That the previous Labour Government initiated the academy programme as a way of levering funding for improvements in failing schools.
4. That the Tory-led coalition Government’s policy to allow outstanding schools to automatically become academies and others to apply for academy status is an extension of their policy of opt-outs in the 1990s and will allow thousands of privately owned and managed schools to operate, fully funded by the taxpayer.
5. That Tower Hamlets Council has consistently maintained its support for non-selective comprehensive education and has previously declined the prospect of an academy in the borough, believing our schools are stronger together than apart.
This Council further notes:
1. The Governors of Bethnal Green Technology College (BGTC) voted apply to become an academy with the intended conversion date of 1st January 2012.
2. BGTC has moved rapidly from special measures and made significant progress in the last three years with exam results rising from 27% 5+ A* to C including English and Maths in 2007 to 59% in 2010.
3. This improvement has been achieved with support from the Local Authority, including £17 million of funding from Building Schools for the Future (BSF).
4. Officers at Tower Hamlets Council are committed to working closely with the leadership and governors of BGTC to achieve the highest aspirations of the school, and the Lead Member for Children’s Services has stated his own commitment in this regard.
5. That the leadership of the school however has identified a problem with high levels of midterm admissions, that they believe the Council has failed to resolve.
6. Sir William Burrough and Ian Mikardo schools have also registered interest in academy status.
7. Many local groups and individuals are opposed to BGTC’s and other schools’ applications for academy status, including the National Union of Teachers, East London Teachers’ Association and local headteachers, several of whom have publicly made a convincing case for the damage academy status would do to the community of schools in our borough, with few tangible benefits for the schools in question.
This Council ... view the full decision text for item 12. Minutes: Motions 12.1, 12.5 and 12.12 had been considered earlier in the meeting.
Motions 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.6, 12.7, 12.8, 12.9, 12.10, 12.11, 12.13 and 12.14 were not considered due to the time limit for the meeting being reached. |