Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors Harun Miah, Carli Harper-Penman and Oliur Rahman.

Procedural Motion

Councillor Anwar Khan moved, and Councillor Bill Turner seconded, a procedural motion – “That under Procedure Rule 14.1.3 the order of business be altered such that when Item 12 is reached the following motions be the first to be considered, Motions 12.9, 12.1, 12.2, 12.7, 12.4 in that order.

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

No declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests were made.

No declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests were made.

To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 23^rd January 2013 and the Budget Council Meetings on 27^th February and 7^th March 2013.

Councillor Anwar Khan moved and Councillor Denise Jones seconded the following amendments to the draft unrestricted minutes of the Ordinary Council meeting held on 23 January 2013:

Under:  Summary of Councillor Alibor Choudhury’s response to the Supplementary Question

Delete:

“Unfortunately confidentiality rules mean I cannot confirm those matters.” - Due to inaccuracy

And replace with:

“[Officer note: In responding to the supplementary question Cllr Choudhury proceeded to name a member of the Council and alluded to the identify of a member of staff so as to make them easily identifiable and set out what was a highly inaccurate account of a confidential employment matter to which he, as a member of the executive, was party.

Confidentiality rules prevent the replication of Cllr Choudhury’s answer verbatim.]”

Under:  Summary of Supplementary Question from Ms Clare Harrisson

Add before the current:

“I don't see how my time at university has any bearing on my right to come to this council as a resident of Tower Hamlets and to be honest I am accustomed to members of the public being afforded a little more respect by Councillors and members of the executive.”

The amendment was put to the vote and was agreed.

The Speaker suggested to the Council that if there were no queries in relation to the accuracy of the draft restricted (Part 2) minutes of the Council meeting of 23^rd January, then the Council may wish also to agree those draft minutes under the current agenda item so as to avoid the need to move into confidential session later in the meeting.  The Council agreed the draft restricted minutes accordingly.

RESOLVED

That subject to the amendments above, the unrestricted minutes of the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 23 January 2013 and of the Budget Council Meetings on 27 February 2013 and 7 March 2013; and the restricted minutes of the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 23 January 2013, be confirmed as a correct record and the Speaker be authorised to sign them accordingly.

[Note:  The following Councillors each requested that their vote be recorded against the amendment of the draft minutes:-  Councillors Kabir Ahmed, Ohid Ahmed, Shahed Ali, Abdul Asad, Lutfa Begum, Alibor Choudhury, Shafiqul Haque, Aminur Khan, Rabina Khan, Rania Khan, Maium Miah and Gulam Robbani.]

There were no announcements.

There were no announcements.

5.1.           Petition from Mr Dan McCurry and others regarding ‘Putting the Bang back into Banglatown’

Mr Dan McCurry addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners and responded to questions from Members.

Councillor Alibor Choudhury, Cabinet Member for Resources, responded to the matters raised in the petition. He welcomed ideas from anyone who had enthusiasm for the area although stressed that consultation with residents would be required before any big changes such as light displays were introduced. He highlighted the money that the Mayor had already allocated and the work being done to invest in and improve the Brick Lane area.

RESOLVED

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

5.2.           Petition from Mr George Morgan and others asking the Council to stop Vodafone from erecting six mobile phone masts on James Hammett House

The petitioners addressed the meeting in support of their petition and responded to questions from Members.

Councillor Rabina Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing, then responded to the matters raised in the petition. She emphasised that the Council had not entered into any contract with Vodafone and did not intend to do so.  In light of the failed planning applications and strong local feeling the Council had decided not to pursue the matter and is under no obligation to proceed with a new lease to Vodafone at James Hammett House.  Under the 1984 Telecommunications Act a telecommunication operator has the right to apply to the courts for a lease upon any property although Councillor Khan understood that had never happened to date.

RESOLVED

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

5.3.           Petition from Mr Ahmed Osman and others against the closure of East End Life

The petitioners addressed the meeting in support of their petition and responded to questions from Members.

Councillor Alibor Choudhury, Cabinet Member for Resources, then responded to the matters raised in the petition. He highlighted that local communities rely on the advice and information contained in the newspaper and that a review was to be undertaken to ensure residents views were taken into account before any action was taken.

RESOLVED

That the petition be referred to the Head of Paid Service, for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.

The questions which have been received from members of the public for this Council meeting are set out in the attached report.  A maximum period of 20 minutes is allocated to this agenda item.

6.1       Question from Mr Koyes Uddin 

Can the Mayor tell us how many jobs will be lost as a result of the Labour-Conservative party’s decision to close East End Life, and can he provide a breakdown of the possible equalities implications this will have? 

Response by Councillor Alibor Choudhury, Cabinet Member for Resources

East End Life currently employs 8.6 full-time equivalent staff. The closure of East End Life would affect at least ten members of staff in total.  Of these ten staff, the majority (seven) are women, two of whom are currently on Maternity Leave. Four of the total number of staff are from a BME background.

East End Life is delivered to 83,000 households with its total distribution points taking circulation to almost 100,000 every week. One of its key roles is to promote community cohesion and race equality in the borough. There are dedicated pages in East End Life which are translated into Bengali and Somali, making information about key council services as widely accessible to local people as possible.

A key part of the Mayor’s decision to undertake a review into the implications of the closure of East End Life is to allow proper consideration of the equalities implications of its closure by Tower Hamlets Tory-Labour coalition.  This will include undertaking a full Equalities Impact Assessment.  In order to comply with the relevant procurement and organisational review procedures, this review will take between 9 and 12 months.

Summary of Supplementary Question from Mr Koyes Uddin

Do you consider the proposal is an attempt to score political points at the expense of residents and a valuable community resource.

Summary of Councillor Alibor Choudhury’s response to the Supplementary Question

I suggest this highlights the disregard of the opposition who wish to keep the community in the dark.

6.2       Question from Mr Fazleh Elaahi 

Dame Colet House has been closed and in a state of disrepair for many years.  What plans does the Mayor have to bring this site back into community use?

Response by Councillor Rabina Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing

This facility has been unfit for use for many years, and I’m proud to be part of the administration that is bringing it back into use.

The council has entered into a development agreement with Guildmore Ltd for the regeneration of the Haileybury Youth centre and Dame Colet house. This redevelopment will see a new Youth and Community centre being built on the site, alongside 40 residential housing units.

The residential housing units will be socially rented and will be managed by Tower Hamlet Homes. The programme for starting works on site is December 2013, with complete in spring 2015.

This is subject to a planning consent being received by the developer and final legal agreements being completed.

Summary of Supplementary Question from Mr Fazleh Elaahi

Can you reassure me that there will not again be a misuse of Town Hall funds as seen in 2003?

Summary of Councillor Rabina Khan’s response to the Supplementary Question

I  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

The Mayor made his report to the Council meeting. The Leader of the Majority

Group and the Leader of each Minority Group then responded briefly to the Mayor’s report.

The Mayor made his report to the Council meeting extending a welcome to all present. He began by expressing condolences to those who had family or friends who had been injured or killed in the Boston Marathon bombing.

When the Mayor had completed his report, the Leader of the Majority Group and the Leaders of the Minority Groups then each responded briefly.

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.

8.1       Question from Councillor David Edgar

Could the Mayor provide an update on the consultation arrangements with local residents on the work associated with the refurbishment and redevelopment of Poplar Baths?

Response by Councillor Rabina Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing

The consultation carried out to date regarding the Poplar Baths includes:

• A meeting with (Poplar Baths Steering Group) on Wednesday 27^th March 2013 to brief on the scheme.  A second meeting is to be scheduled over the next two weeks with the developer so they can present further details.
• A meeting with Neighbours in Poplar & SPLASH, St. Matthias Tenants and Residents Association including 7 local residents was held on Monday 8^th April 2013 to brief the TRA on the scheme. A second meeting is to be scheduled with the developer so they can present further details. A number of local impact queries have been raised by the TRA group to which we are currently preparing a response for.

• We have devised a Communication and Engagement Strategy outline, which identifies the process in which we will carry out the necessary consultations with an indicative time frame (ranging from March – June), this includes meetings with local residents/key stakeholders and the developer, local exhibitions, planning forums and newsletter updates. The exact dates are yet to be confirmed by the developer (Guildmore), we hope to confirm this schedule in the coming weeks and we welcome feedback and views on that consultation.

Summary of Supplementary Question from Councillor David Edgar

I would highlight my own involvement in the campaign over a number of years. I can provide the Cabinet Member with a copy of my election leaflet from 2010 including a commitment on this subject.  Given the importance of the scheme for local residents can I have reassurance that the consultation will continue and will be thorough?

Summary of Councillor Rabina Khan’s response to the Supplementary Question

I thank you for your part in the campaign but I would highlight that it is the current Mayor who is delivering this long awaited project for the community.  Many residents in the area of Poplar Baths have already been included in the consultation and this will continue as I have outlined. 

8.2       Question from Councillor David Snowdon

On how many occasions over the past year has Tower Hamlets council conducted testing of food at restaurants to ensure that the meat served to customers is the same meat as has been ordered?

Response by Councillor Ohid Ahmed, Deputy Mayor

No problems have been encountered.

The food safety officers routinely carry out traceability audits on the origin of foodstuffs when they carry out food standards or food hygiene inspections. These checks are carried out to ensure that customers are not being misled and follow the product back through the supplier chain.

During 2012/13 the Council has carried out 1007 food hygiene inspections and 597 food standards inspections to ensure retail standards are maintained locally.

Summary of Supplementary Question from Councillor David Snowdon

I  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

The Council considered the report of the Head of Paid Service and Corporate Director Communities, Localities and Culture on the review of the Gambling Policy.

Councillor Anwar Khan moved and Councillor Ann Jackson seconded an amendment to the recommendations to the report:

“To add to the report recommendations section:

That the Council note:

• That the Sustainable Communities Act allows councils to put forward proposals to Government for their consideration.

• That Mayor Jules Pipe of Hackney has written to borough leaders asking their support for a proposal to re-establish a specific planning class for betting shops which would allow local authorities greater opportunity to shape their high streets in accordance with the wishes of local residents.

• Currently the London boroughs of Hackney, Barking and Dagenham, Brent, Camden, Greenwich, Haringey, Islington, Lambeth, Newham, Redbridge, Southwark, Sutton, Waltham Forest and Westminster have already signed up to support this joint proposal.

• Were this proposal enacted the Council would be granted additional powers to protect against the proliferation of gambling establishments which could damage the economic viability of our high streets by restricting the available retail space.

• That legislation also allows Council’s to adopt ‘no casino’ policies as part of their policy frameworks

This Council resolves:

• To call upon the Mayor to support Mayor Pipe’s initiative and to sign the Council up to joint application under the Sustainable Communities Act

• To call upon the Mayor to conduct a review of evidence on the social and economic impact of casinos as well as a consultation on whether to adopt a ban as part of the Licensing Policy review currently underway.

Following debate, the amendment was put to the vote and was agreed.

The recommendations in the report, as amended, were then put to the vote and were agreed.  Accordingly it was

RESOLVED

1.         To agree the proposed Gambling Policy for adoption.

2.         That the Council note:

·         That the Sustainable Communities Act allows councils to put forward proposals to Government for their consideration.

·         That Mayor Jules Pipe of Hackney has written to borough leaders asking their support for a proposal to re-establish a specific planning class for betting shops which would allow local authorities greater opportunity to shape their high streets in accordance with the wishes of local residents.

·         Currently the London boroughs of Hackney, Barking and Dagenham, Brent, Camden, Greenwich, Haringey, Islington, Lambeth, Newham, Redbridge, Southwark, Sutton, Waltham Forest and Westminster have already signed up to support this joint proposal.

·         Were this proposal enacted the Council would be granted additional powers to protect against the proliferation of gambling establishments which could damage the economic viability of our high streets by restricting the available retail space.

·         That legislation also allows Council’s to adopt ‘no casino’ policies as part of their policy frameworks

3.         This Council resolves:

·         To call upon the Mayor to support Mayor Pipe’s initiative and to sign the Council up to joint application under the Sustainable Communities Act

·         To call upon the Mayor to conduct a review of evidence on the social and economic  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.1

The Council considered the report of the Corporate Director, Communities Localities and Culture and the Assistant Chief Executive (Legal Services) on proposed by-laws for the Queen Elizabeth II Olympic Park.

Councillor Ann Jackson moved and Councillor Joshua Peck seconded an amendment to the report recommendations:-

“To add to the report recommendations section:

This Council Notes:

·         that some of our smallest ‘pocket parks’ are made unsuitable for use by residents, particularly children, as a result of dogs and their use as dog toilets

·         that despite requests from members over many years, the Council continues to have no bye-laws that enables it to prohibit the use of unsuitable parks for the exercise of dogs.

This Council Resolves:

·         To ask officers to develop and consult upon suitable bye-laws that would enable the consideration, on a case-by-case basis, of the prohibition of dog exercising in small pocket parks which, through consultation with local residents, are deemed unsuitable, and to bring this forward for decision by Council within six months.”

Following debate, the amendment was put to the vote and was agreed.

The report recommendations, as amended, were then put to the vote and were agreed.  Accordingly it was

RESOLVED

1.         To approve the making of the two sets of byelaws for Queen Elizabeth II Olympic Park which are set out in Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 to the report of the Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture and the Assistant Chief Executive (Legal Services)..

2.         This Council Notes:

·         that some of our smallest ‘pocket parks’ are made unsuitable for use by residents, particularly children, as a result of dogs and their use as dog toilets;

·         that despite requests from members over many years, the Council continues to have no bye-laws that enables it to prohibit the use of unsuitable parks for the exercise of dogs.

3.         This Council Resolves:

·         To ask officers to develop and consult upon suitable bye-laws that would enable the consideration, on a case-by-case basis, of the prohibition of dog exercising in small pocket parks which, through consultation with local residents, are deemed unsuitable, and to bring this forward for decision by Council within six months.

The Council considered the report of the Corporate Director Development and Renewal on the Local Development Framework.

DECISION

1.            To agree the recommendations stated in the Inspector’s Report.

2.            To adopt the MD DPD, including the main modifications recommended by the Inspector and the minor modifications, as a Development Plan Document which forms part of the Council’s ‘Local Plan’.

3.            To authorise officers to prepare and publish an Adoption Statement as set out in regulation 26 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.

4.            To agree to the removal from the Council’s Local Plan of the superseded:

§  Unitary Development Plan (1998), its retained policies and Proposals Map (as stated in Appendix 5 of the Core Strategy (2010)); and

§  Interim Planning Guidance Core Strategy and Development Control Plan and Proposals Map (2007), City Fringe AAP (2007), Leaside AAP (2007) and Isle of Dogs AAP (2007).

5.            To agree to the name change from ‘Managing Development – Development Plan Document’ to the ‘Managing Development Document’ to ensure compliance with the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.

(Action by: Aman Dalvi, Corporate Director, Development and Renewal)

The Council considered the report of the Corporate Director Development and Renewal on the Local Development Framework.

During discussion a number of Members expressed disappointment that the Council’s proposal for an Affordable Rent Policy had not been accepted. There was support expressed for officers to review this at the earliest opportunity and requests for Members to lobby in support.

Following debate, the recommendations in the officers’ report were put to the vote and were agreed.  Accordingly it was

RESOLVED

1.            To agree the recommendations stated in the Inspector’s Report.

2.            To adopt the MD DPD, including the main modifications recommended by the Inspector and the minor modifications, as a Development Plan Document which forms part of the Council’s ‘Local Plan’.

3.            To authorise officers to prepare and publish an Adoption Statement as set out in regulation 26 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.

4.            To agree to the removal from the Council’s Local Plan of the superseded:

§  Unitary Development Plan (1998), its retained policies and Proposals Map (as stated in Appendix 5 of the Core Strategy (2010)); and

§  Interim Planning Guidance Core Strategy and Development Control Plan and Proposals Map (2007), City Fringe AAP (2007), Leaside AAP (2007) and Isle of Dogs AAP (2007).

5.            To agree to the name change from ‘Managing Development – Development Plan Document’ to the ‘Managing Development Document’ to ensure compliance with the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.

The Council considered the report of the Corporate Director, Resources on the Pay Policy Statement 2013/14.

Following debate, the recommendations in the officers’ report were put to the vote and were agreed.  Accordingly it was

RESOLVED

To adopt the authority’s Pay Policy Statement for the year 1 April 2013 to 31 March 2014 as recommended by the Human Resources Committee and attached at Appendix 1 to the report of the Corporate Director, Resources.

The Council considered a tabled reference about the Council’s virement rules from the General Purposes Committee. The reasons for urgency as stated in the reference were accepted, namely that:

“This report was not circulated with the Council agenda nor available for inspection within the timescales set out in the Authority’s constitution because of the short period available to compile the report following the meeting of the General Purposes Committee on 10^th April 2013.  The report is nevertheless recommended for consideration at this meeting in order to fulfil the instructions of the General Purposes Committee and ensure that there is no delay to the review of Virement Rules previously agreed by Members.”

A number of Members expressed concern that in the absence from the meeting of the Monitoring Officer, they understood that the meeting did not have access to an officer with delegated powers to advise on behalf of the Monitoring Officer on any proposed changes to the Constitution.

Councillor David Edgar moved and Councillor Khales Uddin Ahmed seconded an amendment to the report recommendations:-

“To delete recommendation 2 in the report and replace with:

-       Refer recommendations 1 to 4 in paragraph 2.3 of the report and the issue of virement limits more generally to a working group as previously agreed by the Council.

-       The working group to be composed on a proportionate basis with expert input from a CIPFA advisor and an LGA advisor.

-       The report from the working group to be received by the General Purposes Committee on 17^th June with recommendations going to Council on 26^th June.

-       To refer the issue of virement rules to the LGA governance review.”

Following debate, the amendment was put to the vote and was agreed.

The report recommendations, as amended, were then put to the vote and were agreed.  Accordingly it was

RESOLVED

1.    That the Council consider the recommendations of the General Purposes Committee as set out paragraph 2.3 (1-10) of the reference from the Committee in the light of the officer advice at sections 5-8 of the reference.

2.    To refer recommendations 1 to 4 in paragraph 2.3 of the report and the issue of virement limits more generally to a working group as previously agreed by the Council.

3.    The working group to be composed on a proportionate basis with expert input from a CIPFA advisor and an LGA advisor.

4.    The report from the working group to be received by the General Purposes Committee on 17 June 2013 with recommendations going to Council on 26 June 2013.

5.    To refer the issue of virement rules to the LGA Governance review.

There was no business under this heading.

There was no business under this heading.

The Council considered the report, and tabled amended update report, of the Service Head, Democratic Services proposing a Calendar of Committee meetings for 2013/14.

RESOLVED

To approve the proposed calendar of meetings for the municipal year 2013/14 as set out at Appendix A to the updated amended report of the Service Head, Democratic Services and as attached to these minutes at Appendix B.

The Council considered the report of the Service Head, Democratic Services proposing the Members’ Allowances Scheme for 2013/14.

RESOLVED

That the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Members’ Allowances Scheme 2013 be adopted as set out at Appendix ‘A’ to the report of the Service Head, Democratic Services.

12.9 Motion regarding the bedroom tax

Councillor Rania Khan moved and Councillor Aminur Khan seconded the motion as printed on the agenda.

Councillor John Pierce moved and Councillor Sirajul Islam seconded an amendment to the motion:-

“Under ‘This Council notes that’:

Add a bullet point which reads:

Some Councils around the country are investigating the redesignation of homes, where practical, in a bid to stop residents being penalised for living in ‘under-occupied’ homes.”

Under ‘This Council resolves’:

Add a bullet point which reads:

To call upon the Mayor to investigate the cost of redesignating homes, where possible, and the impact that this would have on the Housing Revenue Account and the Council's ability to build new homes in the future, and to report back to Council at its next ordinary meeting.”

Following debate, the amendment was put to the vote and was agreed.

The motion as so amended was then put to the vote and was agreed.  Accordingly it was

RESOLVED

This Council notes that:

-       On April 2 2013 another of the Government’s Welfare Changes came into effect.

-       The Bedroom Tax is a reduction in Housing Benefit to households in Council and Housing Association properties, who are deemed to have extra bedrooms.

-       Households will lose 14%of their rent if they have 1 extra bedroom and 25% of their rent if they have 2 or more extra bedrooms.

-       The Bedroom Tax will affect thousands of residents in Tower Hamlets.

-       Last month the government U-turn exempted Foster Carers, families of disabled siblings and families of service men and women from the tax.

-       The Government’s own figures suggest that 420,000 disabled adults will be affected by this tax.

-       The Council has launched a Prepare and Act Now Campaign to ensure that residents are aware of all the welfare changes and can seek advice and assistance from the Council and third sector organisations. Five events were held across the borough where residents could speak to Housing staff, Benefit Team staff, Skillsmatch and JCP staff, as well as staff from third sector advice agencies. There are a further four events planned during the summer. 

-       Some Councils around the country are investigating the redesignation of homes, where practical, in a bid to stop residents being penalised for living in ‘under-occupied’ homes.

This Council believes that:

-       The government’s U-turn demonstrates that this is a misguided policy

-       These measures will have an adverse and disproportionate effect on Tower Hamlets residents, especially those already living on a low income.

-       The Bedroom Tax disproportionately affects disabled residents, many of whom need an additional bedroom for medical reasons as well as due to large medical equipment and supplies.

-       These measures will increase poverty, and reduce the ability for residents to adequately heat their homes and feed and clothe their children. 

This Council resolves:

-       To lobby against the coalition’s policies which clearly have a discriminatory affect on the residents of Tower Hamlets. 

-       To call on the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

No motion to exclude the press and public was passed.

No motion to exclude the press and public was passed.