THE MEETING COMMENCED AT 7:34PM

The Speaker of the Council, Councillor M. A. Mukit, MBE in the Chair

During the meeting, the Council agreed to vary the order of business. To aid clarity, the Minutes are presented in the order that the items originally appeared on the agenda. Urgent motions, moved with the agreement of the Council, without notice, are listed at Item 13. The order the business taken in at the meeting was as follows:

• Item 13.1 – Urgent Motion regarding the Paris terrorist attacks.
• Item 1 - Apologies for absence.
• Item 2 – Declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests.
• Item 3 – Minutes.
• Item 4 – Announcements.
• Item 13.2 – Urgent Motion regarding Somaliland's right to be recognised as a sovereign state.
• Items 5.1 and 5.3 – Petitions.
• Item 6 – Public Questions.
• Item 7 – Mayor’s Report.
• Item 8 – Members Questions. (8.1 – 8.3)
• Item 12.3 – Motion regarding the Civic Centre.
• Item 8 – Members Questions. (8.4 – 8.10)
• Item 12.10 – Motion regarding the Trade Union Bill.

The Speaker of the Council welcomed to the Council it’s newly-appointed Chief Executive, Will Tuckley and Melanie Clay, the new Director of Law, Probity and Governance. 

Prior to commencing the formal Council business, the Speaker of the Council stated that everyone’s thoughts and prayers were with all those affected by Friday’s terrorists attacks in Paris.  He invited the Council to stand and observe a minute’s silence in memory of those killed and injured.

Procedural Motion

Mayor John Biggs moved and Councillor Khales Uddin Ahmed seconded, a procedural motion “that under Procedure Rule 14.1.5, Rule 13.1 be suspended to enable an urgent motion regardingthe Paris terrorist attacks to be considered”. The procedural motion was put to the vote and was agreed.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of:

·         Councillor Helal Uddin

·         Councillor Suluk Ahmed

·         Councillor Joshua Peck

·         Councillor Shahed Ali

·         Councillor Shafiqul Haque

·         Councillor Muhammad Ansar Mustaquim

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 Monitoring Officer.

Councillor Harun Miah declared a prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 5.3,  ‘Petition calling on the Mayor and Council to support the businesses of Chapman Street’ as he was a business leaseholder in the area. He indicated that he would leave the meeting for the consideration of this matter.

Councillors Denise Jones, Candida Ronald and Asma Begum declared a personal interest in Agenda items 12.1 Motion regarding the Rich Mix Cultural Foundation and Member Question 8.2 on the same matter as they were Council appointed Board Members of the Rich  Mix Cultural Foundation.

To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Council held on 16 September 2015.

RESOLVED:

That the unrestricted minutes of the Council meeting held on 16^th September  2015 be confirmed as a correct record and the Speaker be authorised to sign them accordingly.

The Speaker reminded the Council that his Charity Ball would take place on Monday 30^th November at the East Wintergarden. The Charity Ball would raise funds for Mind in Tower Hamlets and the Surjamuke Sunflower Project. Tickets were still available and he encouraged everyone to attend and support these great causes.

He also expressed great regret that a Police Officer had been stabbed in Tower Hamlets. The Council commended his brave service and wished him a speedy recovery.

Procedural Motion

Councillor Amina Ali moved, and Mayor John Biggs seconded, a procedural motion “that under Procedure Rule 14.1.5, Rule 13.1 be suspended to enable an urgent motion regardingSomaliland's right to be recognised as a sovereign stateto be considered”. The procedural motion was put to the vote and was agreed.

Following the consideration and voting on the substantive motion, with the permission of the Speaker, a Government Minister from Somaliland made a short statement in support of the motion

At this point, the Speaker of the Council adjourned the meeting at 8:30pm. The meeting reconvened at 8:40pm.

The Council Procedure Rules provide for a maximum of three petitions to be presented at an Ordinary Meeting of the Council. 

The deadline for receipt of petitions for this Council meeting is noon on Thursday 12 November 2015.

However at the time of agenda despatch, the maximum number of petitions has already been received as set out in the attached report.

5.1       Petition calling for a 30 MPH speed limit along the A12 Blackwall Tunnel Approach.

Ms Juliana Ben Salem addressed the meeting in support of the petition, and responded to questions from Members. CouncillorAyas Miah (Cabinet Member for Environment)then responded to the matters raised in the petition.

He reported that the Council were working with Transport for London (TfL) who were responsible for the A12, as well as residents and  relevant agencies to look at ways of improving connectivity and highway safety along the A12 Blackwall Tunnel approach

The Council could potentially support the aspiration of a 30 mph speed limit along the A12. In the meantime, it was understood that TfL have agreed to carry out work to improve the existing crossings that residents were concerned about.

RESOLVED:

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

5.2       Petition in support of opening an Idea Store at Bethnal Green Road, E2.

Petition not presented due to the absence of the petitioner.

5.3       Petition calling on the Mayor and Council to support the businesses of Chapman Street.

Mr Matthew Wood addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners and responded to questions from Members. Mayor John Biggs then responded to the matters raised in the petition. The Mayor welcomed the regeneration of the railway arches on Chapman Street but was mindful of the issues around the affordability of the business units and the need to provide such units. The Mayor had met with residents, Councillors, Network Rail and other interested parties and planned to meet again with Network Rail to consider ways of providing affordable work spaces within Chapman Street whilst meeting Network Rail’s regeneration aims. The Mayor would also meet with the businesses effected to help them stay in Chapman Street and if necessary help them find other premises.

RESOLVED:

That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal, 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.

The following questions and in each case (except where indicated) a supplementary question were put and were responded to by the Mayor or relevant Executive Member:-

6.1       Question from Ms Lillian Collins:

Can the Mayor update me on the progress regarding Poplar Baths, including when the work will be completed, and when we can expect it to be open for local residents?

Response by Councillor Asma Begum (Cabinet Member for Culture)

The scheme is still in the construction phase and although some elements have been handed over, the final date of the handover of Poplar Baths is 24^th June 2016.

(Ms Lillian Collins made a number of comments. No supplementary question was put).

6.2      Question from Mr Ahmed Hussain:

I have been previously informed by Councillor Blake that procedures surrounding Compulsory Purchase Orders are of equal status for both social landlords and freeholders. Given this, would the Council support the freeholders of Alpha Grove, E14, to purchase amenity space and garages within the freeholding area, and if so what assistance could the Council offer?

Freeholders could re-develop the freeholding area and provide the Council with at least 33.33% social housing (town houses with a garden).

(Councillor Rachel Blake sought to clarify which areas of Alpha Grove the questioner was particularly interested in. Mr Hussain responded that he lived and was a freeholder on theBarkantine Estate, but also leaseholders and freeholders would be affected in ‘project stone’ proposed by One Housing. He also stated that:

·         There  are only 42 freeholders on the Estate including myself. If the CPO is equal to everyone, we can look at buying the amenities of the garages of the freehold area and make a proposal to the Council. But we need guidance at the same time and that is our proposal today).

Response by Councillor Rachel Blake (Cabinet Member for Strategic Development)

I think we have given you some guidance already and I am more than happy to keep talking about how the residents of Barkantine and all of the Isle of Dogs Estates will be involved in the future of the homes that they live in. I hope that is helpful and I am happy to keep this conversation going, but probably the rest of the room don’t want to do it through this process. But it is really important that the residents of the Barkantine and all of the Isle of Dogs Estates are part of any redevelopment that goes forward.  I think you have already got the guidance on CPO powers. It’s a very long process about how we would appraise it. But if you have got some really detailed proposals about how you and this group want to be involved in this process, then perhaps we should organise a separate meeting. 

Supplementary question from Mr Ahmed Hussain

I am happy to arrange a meeting with yourselves and the freeholders if that helps.

In light of the Council’s agenda of having houses and gardens can the Council ensure that in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

The Mayor made his report to the Council, referring to his written report circulated at the meeting, summarising key events, engagements and meetings since the last Council meeting.

When the Mayor had completed his report, at the invitation of the Speaker the Leaders of the other political groups then responded briefly to the Mayor’s report.

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 (except where indicated) a supplementary question were put and were responded to by the Mayor or relevant Executive Member.

8.1       Question from Councillor Khales Uddin Ahmed

How many families has the council placed in Bed and Breakfast accommodation for more than six weeks in each of the last three years?

Response by Councillor Sirajul Islam (Statutory Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Housing Management & Performance)

Mr Speaker, can I thank Cllr Ahmed for highlighting this desperately important situation. The challenge of providing accommodation for homeless families is growing.

The number of families placed in B&B for more than 6 weeks has been monitored on a weekly basis since November 2012.  This information is also reported to Government on a quarterly snapshot basis and is published on the Council’s website.

If we take the number of families who had been in bed and breakfast accommodation for more than six weeks on the 30th September of each of the last three years the figures are:

2013 – 91

2014 -  49

2015 - 106

Supplementary question from Councillor Khales Uddin Ahmed:

26,000 people and families are on the waiting lists. It is well known to everyone here that the problem is increasing. Currently the council is sending people to Bed and Breakfasts without searching for accommodation within the Borough or neighbouring Boroughs. Could you please, Mr Deputy Mayor, tell me how often you meet with officers to discuss this issue, and what action has been taken more recently to address this issue?

CouncillorSirajul Islam’s response to the supplementary question

Thank you, Cllr Ahmed. You are right, the numbers have gone up but you can understand the situation we’re having, with so many families being evicted from private sector tenancies, and some are homeless. We have a statutory duty to support these families. I meet with Council officers on a weekly director, with a Corporate Director or Service Head, and amongst many other things, homelessness is one of those items regularly on our agenda. When you say, Cllr Ahmed, that we send people far and wide, our officers always try to find accommodation within the Borough or as close as possible. You will understand the rent in Tower Hamlets is very unaffordable. They do an assessment of family income and find somewhere the family can afford. We do not put people in financial burden; we don’t send people to Yorkshire or places like that. We try to find people a bed and breakfast within London, and from there we move people onto the private rented sector accommodation. If we can’t find something in Tower Hamlets we do move people. We have a duty and responsibility towards those families and we find them something as near as possible.

8.3       Question from Councillor Amina Ali:

Can the Mayor outline the next steps for the Civic Centre?

Response by Mayor John Biggs:

Following my agreement with the cabinet to the location  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

Nil items.

There was no business to transact under this agenda item.

Nil items.

There was no business to transact under this agenda item.

Nil items.

There was no business to transact under this agenda item.

12.3    Motion regarding the Civic Centre

Mayor John Biggs moved, and Councillor Sirajul Islam seconded the motion as printed in the agenda.

Councillor Rabina Khan moved, and Councillor Ohid Ahmed seconded an amendment to add the following point at the end of the motion.

“The Council agrees to set up a ‘Community and Stakeholder Group’ comprising of the local traders, businesses and the community group- within the proximity of the new Civic Centre, as part of the award - winning Whitechapel Vison – to ensure that the project implementation and management benefits from a comprehensive input by key local stakeholders.”

The amendment was then put to the vote and was defeated.

Following the debate the motion as printed in the agenda was put to the vote and was agreed. Accordingly it was:

RESOLVED:

The Council notes that:

1.    The lease on the current Mulberry Place Headquarters building expires in June 2020;

2.    The facilities offered at Mulberry Place and associated Council offices including Albert Jacob House and John Onslow House are ageing and need to be updated

3.    Mulberry Place is located at the extreme eastern end of the Borough

4.    The review of options for a new civic centre undertaken since July 2015 has provided the opportunity to scrutinise proposals for a new civic headquarters as part of the former Royal London Hospital development and other options to determine which of these will offer best value for money, ensures a twenty first century working environment for staff delivering services to residents and provides a suitable location for the conduct of civic business

5.    The retention of all existing One Stop Shops and Ideas Stores along with consideration of facilities in the Bethnal Green and Isle of Dogs areas of the Borough is an essential part of this proposal to ensure a strong local presence across all the geographical areas of the Borough.

Having considered the options, the Council welcomes the decision of the Mayor in Cabinet on 3 November 2015 to agree the former Royal London Hospital site in Whitechapel as the preferred location for the new civic centre and endorses the Mayor’s subsequent decisions to enable the speediest implementation of this major project.

The Council further endorses the Mayor’s proposal to establish a cross party referencegroup to keep the development of the civic centre under review and to provide regular updates to the Council.

12.10  Motion regarding the Trade Union Bill

Councillor Clare Harrissonmoved, and Councillor Rachael Saunders seconded the motion as printed in the agenda.

Following debate, the motion was put to the vote and was agreed.  Accordingly it was:-

RESOLVED:

This Council notes that:

1.    In February 2015 the United Nations agency, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), reaffirmed its belief that ‘without protecting a right to strike, Freedom of Association, in particular the right to organise activities for the purpose of promoting and protecting workers’ interests, cannot be fully realised.’

2.    In July 2015 the Conservative government announced its intention to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

The Council agreed to suspend Procedure Rule 13.1 to enable the following urgent motions to be debated without notice:

13.1    Urgent Motion regarding the Paris Attacks

Mayor John Biggs moved, and Councillors Oliur Rahman and Peter Golds seconded, the motion as tabled.

Following debate, the motion was put to the vote and was unanimously agreed. Accordingly it was:

RESOLVED:

This Council notes:

• The shocking multiple attacks in Paris on Friday 13th November 2015, in which 129 people were killed and hundreds injured.

• That council staff held a one-minute silence on Monday 16th November at 11am, as other tributes were held across Europe.

• That the world has witnessed vile and cowardly terror attacks – in Beirut, Baghdad and Paris. We hope all those responsible are identified, detained and face the full force of justice.

This Council believes:

• The attacks in Paris were horrific and abhorrent and we condemn this violence in the strongest possible terms.

• That our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the attacks, their families and loved ones, our French neighbours and all innocent victims of terror and war.

This Council resolves:

• That a cross-party letter be written to the Mayor of Paris to express our condolences, thoughts and prayers – along with a copy of this motion.

• That we will always stand firm against the politics of hate in all its forms, wherever and however it manifests itself.

13.2    Motion Regarding Somaliland's right to be recognised as a sovereign state

Councillor Amina Ali moved, and Mayor John Biggs seconded, the motion as tabled.

Following debate, the motion was put to the vote and was agreed.Accordingly it was:

RESOLVED:

This Council notes:

1.    The first Somalilanders living in England settled in Tower Hamlets as early as the 19^th century, working as seafarers on the local docks in this borough.

2.    Many of the early Somaliland settlers settled in Cable Street, where in the 1930s along with the Jewish and other local communities they fought against fascism when Mosley's black shirts marched through Tower Hamlets ready to divide communities.

3.    That Somalilanders merchant seafarers went on to fight for Britain from their base in Tower Hamlets during the first and second world wars, many losing their lives for King and country. After the war years the small Somaliland community worked hard to continue to contribute to the economy of Tower Hamlets.

4.    Somaliland declared independence from the Republic of Somalia in 1991 following a long war.

5.    That Somaliland has never been recognised by the UN or the African Union despite a campaign by its politicians, diplomats and prominent citizens.

6.    The Somaliland government does not receive international aid and it has kept its waters free from piracy.

This Council believes:

1.    That Somalilanders have made a significant contribution to the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and Somali-landers are the one of the oldest communities in Tower Hamlets.

2.    That Somalilanders have contributed to the local economic and cultural  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.