The Deputy Speaker of the Council, Councillor Sabina Akhtar 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. The order the business was taken in at the meeting was as follows:

• Item 1 - Apologies for absence.
• Item 2 – Declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests.
• Item 4 – Announcements.
• Item 3 – Minutes.
• Item 5.1 – Petition on Air Quality
• Item 12.4 - Motion on Tackling Air Pollution in Tower Hamlets.
• Item 5.2 – Petition on Cuts to Early Years Budget
• Item 5.3 - Petition on Mopeds in Tom Thumb Arch
• Item 6 – Public Questions.
• Item 12.3 – Motion regarding Bow School
• Item 7 – Mayor’s Report.
• Item 8 – Members Questions

·         Item 9 – Reports from the Executive and the Council’s Committees

·         Item 10 –Reports and Questions on Joint Arrangements/External Organisations

·         Item 11 – Other Business

Before the commencement of the council business, the Speaker of the Council said that the Members would be aware of the sad deaths of Nasar Ahmed a pupil at Bow School and Melanie Clay, the Council’s Corporate Director for Law, Probity and Governance. The Council’s thoughts were with their families and friends at this difficult time.

The Council also paid their respects to a well-known community activist who passed away recently.

In light of these events, the Council rose to observe a minute’s silence.

Procedural Motion

Councillor Danny Hassell moved and Councillor Rachael Saunders seconded, a procedural motion “that under Procedure Rule 14.1.3 the order of business be varied such that Item 12.3 Motion regarding the Bow School be taken as the next item of business after Item 6, Public Questions.” The procedural motion was put to the vote and was agreed.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of:

·         Councillor Khales Uddin Ahmed

·         Councillor Gulam Robbani

·         Councillor Rachel Blake

·         Councillor Amy Whitelock Gibbs

·         Councillor Suluk Ahmed

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.

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 21^st September 2016.

Councillor Oliur Rahman moved and Councillor Muhammad Mustaquimseconded an amendment to the minutes to record the Independent Group’s walk out from the Council meeting and to agree that a statement be attached to the minutes to explain their reasons for this.

The amendment was put to the vote and was defeated.

RESOLVED:

1.            That the unrestricted minutes of the Council meeting held on 21 September 2016 be confirmed as a correct record and the Speaker be authorised to sign them accordingly.

The Speaker of the Council congratulated Councillor Rachel Blake and Councillor Marc Francis on the birth of their baby boy, Jack. The Council passed on their congratulations and best wishes to the whole family. The Speaker also welcomed Councillor Shafi Ahmed to the meeting, the newly elected Councillor for the Whitechapel Ward following the by-election last week. The Speaker also asked noted with sadness the recent death of Councillor Suluk Ahmed’s mother.

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 Tuesday 29 November 2016.

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 relating to air quality

Anisur Rahman Anisaddressed the meeting and responded to questions from Members. Mayor John Biggs then responded to the matters raised in the petition. He advised that tackling air pollution would be a priority of his administration and that the Council’s Air Quality Action Plan was currently undergoing a refresh to ensure it was fit for purpose in tackling this issue.

RESOLVED:

That the petition be referred to the Chief Executive and Acting Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture, for a written response within 28 days.

Procedural Motion

Councillor Danny Hassell moved and Councillor Ayas Miah seconded, a procedural motion “that under Procedure Rule 14.1.3 the order of business be varied such that item 12.4 “Motion on Tackling Air Pollution in Tower Hamlets” be taken at this point. The procedural motion was put to the vote and was agreed.

5.2       Petition relating to Cuts to Early Years Budget

Christine Trumper addressed the meeting and responded to questions from Members. Councillor Rachael Saunders, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Education & Children's Services then responded to the matters raised in the petition. She advised there was some misunderstanding regarding the Council’s proposals for the future of this service, but further consultation is planned that would provide opportunity for residents to examine the proposals and offer comment.

RESOLVED:

That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director Children's Services, for a written response within 28 days.

5.3       Petition relating to Mopeds in Tom Thumb Arch

Ben Haigh addressed the meeting and responded to questions from Members. Councillor Ayas Miah, Cabinet Member for Environmentthen responded to the matters raised in the petition. He advised that the requested remedies proposed in the petition could not be pursued due to conflicts with statutory obligations, but he has asked officers to investigate options for promoting safer use of the Arch.

RESOLVED:

That the petition be referred to the Chief Executive and Acting Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture, for a written response 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 supplementary questions were put (except where indicated) and were responded to by the Mayor or relevant Executive Member:-

6.1 Question from Nick Garland

With the Tory Government hammering the NHS, what, investment has the Council made in our local health services?

Response by Councillor Rachael Saunders Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Education & Children's Services

I am covering for Councillor Amy Whitelock-Gibbs as she is on maternity leave.

Conservative Government cuts to the council budget means we will have £58m less to spend on services by 2019/20. This has left us with difficult decisions to make, but we are investing in our local health services.

We have secured over £15m of investment from developer Section 106 contributions in health services across Tower Hamlets including these GP surgeries:.

13.1              £3.1m in Aberfeldy Practice – Lansbury ward

13.2              £2.5m for the Globe Town GP Practice

13.3              £3.4m for the Whitechapel Health Centre and City Wellbeing Practices

13.4              £3.1m for the new GP practice at the William Cotton Place development – in Mile End ward, in my ward.

13.5              £3.1m for the Wellington Way Health Centre – Mile End ward, which used to be in my ward.

From the two that are in the area that I represent I know how important it is that we invest in our GP surgeries because there is huge pressure and a real need for appointments and a better quality of care.

We have also just launched an Ethical Care Charter in Tower Hamlets, which guarantees the London Living Wage for all home care workers, including for travel time. This is not only an investment in our homecare workers and in the high quality of work that they provide.

No supplementary question from Nick Garland.

6.3  Question from Matthew Dickinson

Please could the Council provide an estimate of the costs incurred as a result of the legal case against Councillor Shahed Ali for housing fraud?

Response by Mayor John Biggs

It’s a disgrace that instead of serving his constituents Shahed Ali chose not only to commit housing fraud but then to lie about it, costing taxpayers tens of thousands more in legal fees.

That decision to lie about his criminality meant that Cllr Ali cost the council over £70,000 in legal fees. Had he pleaded guilty when he was first charged it would have simply cost, we estimate, £3,428.

In my opinion we should use all the forces of the law that we can to pursue that debt, because as far as I am concerned he has cost the people of Tower Hamlets money and he should be asked to pay it.

Just by way of comparison, what we could have spent that on would have been 30,434 free school meals, for example, or an extra housing fraud investigator to check other people are not doing the same thing. But there are many other examples of things that we could have spent it on. His behaviour was an outrage.  ...  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 and at the invitation of the Speaker the leaders of the Conservative Group, Independent Group and Tower Hamlets Peoples’ Alliance 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 supplementary questions  were put (except where indicated) and were responded to by the Mayor, relevant Executive Member or Councillor:-

8.1 Question from Councillor M. Abdul Mukit

Can the Lead Member update Council on what progress has been made in the regeneration of Brick Lane to boost business there?

Response from Councillor Joshua Peck, Cabinet Member for Work & Economic Growth

Anyone who has read the scrutiny review I did in opposition will know how important I think our town centres are, not just because they make for good places to live, they give access to goods and services for residents, but more importantly they are places of real economic growth. Where residents can easily start businesses and find jobs. We are working across the whole of the borough to have a vision and intervention plan for each of our town centres and Brick Lane is just one of those. Brick Lane is particularly special, it is not just a town centre for the people who live in and around Spitalfields, but it is also one of our pre-eminent visitor and tourist attractions and while some parts of it, particularly the northern part of it in your ward, Councillor Mukit, is really struggling, especially many of those historic curry restaurants without whom Brick Lane wouldn't be the same. We have started a Brick Lane regeneration program. Members will know about the curry festival we ran recently and that the mayor switched on the Christmas lights there.

Supplementary question from Councillor M. Abdul Mukit

I really congratulate the lead member for the work He has done and I had a very overwhelming report from residents of Brick Lane. As a lead member, how do you propose the initiative can progress and create new jobs and also improve the environment for the visitors and tourists?

Councillor Joshua Peck response to supplementary question

Jobs are absolutely central to Brick Lane, it has been a place historically where a lot of people have been employed. Part of that is about real business support to restaurants. When those businesses are thriving they employ a lot of people, local people and we are putting in place a whole range of business support. But as he says the environment is also important and I think, as I have discussed with my colleague a number of times, the cleaning and graffiti removal and all of that on Brick Lane isn't good enough and we are doing as much as we can to improve that as well. Progress will not be overnight. The regeneration of Brick Lane is going to take some time but we are in it for the long term and we intend to get it right.

8.2  Question from Councillor Maium Miah

Does the Council need to learn any lessons from the tragic death of Bow School boy Nasar Ahmed?

Response from Mayor John Biggs

It is entirely understandable that Nasar’s parents want full clarity about the reasons for his  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To receive the report of the Chief Executive and Acting Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture, proposing the adoption of a Gambling Policy for 2016/19.

The Council considered the report of the Chief Executive and Acting

Corporate Director – Communities, Localities and Culture submitting the proposed Gambling Policy 2016-19 for approval.

The recommendation set out in the report was put to the vote and was agreed. Accordingly it was:

RESOLVED

1.    That the Council agree the adoption of the revised Gambling Policy.

To receive the report of the Chief Executive and Acting Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture, requesting that Council approve the Year 4 Plan (2016/17) of the Community Safety Partnership Plan 2013-16.

The Council considered the report of the Chief Executive and Acting

Corporate Director – Communities, Localities and Culture, submitting the proposed Community Safety Partnership Plan 2013-16 Year 4 (2016/17) for approval.

The recommendation set out in the report was put to the vote and was agreed. Accordingly it was:

RESOLVED:

1.    That the Council agree the Community Safety Plan 2013-16: Year 4 (2016/17) Plan be adopted.

To receive the report of the Chief Executive and Acting Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture proposing the adoption of a Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy for 2016-19.

The Council considered the report of the Service Head, Safer Communities,

Communities, Localities and Culture submitting the proposed Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy 2016 for approval.

The recommendation set out in the report was put to the vote and was agreed. Accordingly it was:

RESOLVED:

1.    That the Council agree the Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy be adopted.

Guillotine Motion

At this point the meeting had sat for three hours and, with no motion to extend the meeting proposed, the guillotine came into effect. As set out in Procedure Rule 9.3, all remaining reports on the agenda were deemed formally moved and seconded and were put to the vote with no further discussion.

To receive the report of the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal, proposing the adoption of the Housing Strategy 2016 – 19.

Note – this report was presented to Cabinet on 1 November 2016, it was subsequently amended and is now presented for agreement.

The Council considered the report of the Corporate Director Development & Renewal submitting the proposed Housing Strategy 2016 – 2021 for approval.

The recommendation set out in the report was put to the vote and was agreed. Accordingly it was:

RESOLVED:

1.    To adopt the draft Housing Strategy and attached appendices.

To receive the report of the Corporate Director, Resources providing the Treasury Management Mid-Year Report for 2016/17.

The Council considered the report of the Corporate Director of Resources submitting the Mid - Year Review and Activities of Treasury Management Strategy and Investment Strategy for 2016/17 for noting.

The recommendations set out in the report were put to the vote and were agreed. Accordingly it was:

RESOLVED that the Council note:

1.    The treasury management activities and performance against targets for the six months to 30 September 2016.

2.    The Council’s investment balance of £406.85m as at 30 September 2016 of which £131.62m was invested with money market funds (MMF) and £105m invested with UK Banks and Building Societies as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

3.    The Council’s position on prudential indicators as set out in Appendix 2 to the report.

There was no business to transact under this agenda item.

To consider the report of the Acting Corporate Director, Law, Probity and Governance, in relation to proposed revisions to the Member Code of Conduct.

The Council considered the report of the Acting Corporate Director, Law

Probity & Governance submitting a Revised Code of Conduct for Members and revised arrangements for dealing with alleged breach of the Code, for approval.

The recommendation set out in the report was put to the vote and was agreed. Accordingly it was:

RESOLVED:

That the Council:

1.    Approve and adopt the revised Code of Conduct for Members and the revised arrangements for dealing with alleged breach of the Code as set out in Annex B to this report.

To consider the report of the Acting Corporate Director, Law, Probity and Governance updating the Licensing Code of Conduct.

The Council the report of the Acting Corporate Director, Law, Probity and Governance updating the Licensing Code of Conduct.

The recommendations set out in the report were put to the vote and were agreed. Accordingly it was:

RESOLVED:

1.            That the revised Licensing Code of Conduct be adopted.

To consider the report of the Acting Corporate Director, Law, Probity and Governance in relation to amendments made to the Executive Scheme of Delegation in respect of Grants decision making.

The Council considered the report of the Acting Corporate Director, Law, Probity and Governance in relation to amendments made to the Executive Scheme of Delegation in respect of Grants decision making.

The recommendations set out in the report were put to the vote and were agreed. Accordingly it was:

RESOLVED:

That the Council note:

1.            That the Mayor has updated his Executive Scheme of Delegation, namely paragraph 6.2 to note that the Mayor has appointed a Grants Determination Sub-Committee and the Mayor has delegated the functions of this Sub-Committee to be carried out by the Sub-Committee collectively;

2.            As the Executive Scheme of Delegation is included at Rule 3 of these Executive Procedure Rules contained with Part 4.4 of the Constitution, that the amended Executive Procedure Rules as contained in Appendix 1 will be added to the Constitution.

3.            As there is now a Grants Determination Sub-Committee, the Mayor has also provided Terms of Reference for the Grants Determination Sub-Committee and which will be added to part 3.4 of the Constitution, i.e. The Executive, as contained in Appendix 2 and which will also be added to the Constitution.

That the Council agree:

4.            That the Constitution be amended by the addition of the new Executive Scheme of Delegation at Appendix 1 and the new part 3.4 of the Constitution at Appendix 2 of the report.

To receive the report of the Acting Corporate Director, Law, Probity and Governance reviewing the Council’s proportionality and allocation of places on committees following the Whitechapel By-Election and other recent political group changes.

The report will be published once the result of the Whitechapel By-Election is known.

The Council considered the tabled report of the Acting Corporate Director, Law, Probity and Governance reviewing the Council’s proportionality and allocation of places on committees following the Whitechapel By-Election and other recent political group changes.

The recommendations set out in the report were put to the vote and were agreed. Accordingly it was:

RESOLVED:

1.            That the review of proportionality as at section 3 of the report be noted and the allocation of seats on committees and panels be agreed for the remainder of the Municipal Year 2016/17 as set out at paragraph 4.2 of the report.

2.            To note the committees and panels established for the municipal year 2016/17 as listed in paragraph 4.2 of report as agreed at the Annual Council meeting held on Wednesday 18 May 2016.

3.            That Members and deputies be appointed to serve on those committees and panels in accordance with nominations from the political groups to be notified to the Acting Corporate Director, Law, Probity and Governance.

4.            The Acting Corporate Director, Law, Probity and Governance be authorised to approve the appointment of ungrouped Councillors to any committee places not allocated by the Council to a political group, after consultation with those Councillors and the Speaker of the Council.

5.            That the draft Council seating plan as set out in Appendix 1 be noted.

12. 3   Motion regarding Bow School.

Mayor John Biggs moved and Councillor Rachael Saunders seconded the motion as printed in the agenda.

Councillor Oliur Rahman moved and Councillor Ohid Ahmed seconded a friendly amendment to the motion as set out below:

‘Add the following sentences at the end of second paragraph:

Council further notes the support the family has received from friends, community groups and other councillors, including Cllr Ohid Ahmed, who was at the hospital with the family when Nasar sadly passed away. Cllr Ohid Ahmed has met the family many times and continues to do everything he can to support them.

Add the following paragraph at the end of the current motion, after the sixth paragraph ending with ‘difficult time’:

Tower Hamlets Council has contacted of all its maintained schools in regards to the policies and procedures ‘pertaining to children with a pre-existing medical condition and/or falling ill at school’ in order to provide an unequivocal formal assurance to the constituents and concerned parents that all Tower Hamlet schools are aware of their duties.

The Mayor John Biggs and Councillor Rachael Saunders indicated that they accepted the amendment

Following further debate, the motion as amended was put to the vote and was agreed.

RESOLVED:

This Council notes the tragic death of Nasar Ahmed who passed away at the Royal London Hospital.

Council notes that Mayor Biggs and Tower Hamlets Council have offered their full support to the police, Bow School and other agencies as the circumstances of his death are thoroughly investigated. Council notes that Mayor Biggs has met the family twice and has committed himself to doing everything he can to support the family. Council further notes the support the family has received from friends, community groups and other councillors, including Cllr Ohid Ahmed, who was at the hospital with the family when Nasar sadly passed away. Cllr Ohid Ahmed has met the family many times and continues to do everything he can to support them.

It is important is that the police, working on behalf of the Coroner’s Service, gather the facts quickly and that we learn all the lessons we can from this incident so we can prevent anything similar from ever happening again.

Council further notes that the police have consulted the Health and Safety Executive and agreed to take the lead on an independent investigation. A Metropolitan Police central investigation team will be conducting this investigation as they have the resources and capability to carry out a complex and lengthy enquiry.

This Council resolves to fully support the police, Bow School and other agencies as the circumstances of Nasar Ahmed’s’death are investigated.

Tower Hamlets Council resolves to offer all the support it can to Nasar’s family, friends and fellow pupils during this extremely difficult time.

Tower Hamlets Council has contacted of all its maintained schools in regards to the policies and procedures ‘pertaining to children with a pre-existing medical condition and/or falling ill at school’ in order to provide an unequivocal  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.