The Speaker of the Council, Councillor Sabina Akhtar in the Chair

On behalf of the Council, the Speaker of the Council expressed great shock and sadness about the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower Fire that occurred on 14^th June 2017.  She thanked all those Officers and residents who had helped out and provided donations. She also expressed regret at the attack in Manchester at the Ariana Grande Concert and the attacks in other areas including on London Bridge, near Finsbury Park Mosque and the Westminster attack.

She called on everyone present to stand together, united in humanity and respect for one another. She stated that the Council’s thoughts and prayers were with all those affected. 

The Council rose to observe a minutes silence to remember those affected by the tragic events.

The Speaker brought Members up to date with her recent engagements. She reported that since the last meeting of the Council, she had supported a wide range of events including Citizenship Ceremonies, an Induction Day with new civic colleagues, an Army Engagement event in the Town Hall  to learn about the opportunities for young people and Ramadan/Iftar celebrations. She wished all a belated Eid Mubarak.

She also had the privilege of welcoming Princess Royal, Princess Anne for the opening of the Graduate Centre at Queen Mary University of London, had attended the Royal Gun Salute to mark the state visit of HM King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain and had attendeda 100 year birthday celebration.

Amongst her current projects, she highlighted that she was looking to extend the Speaker’s Cadetsto include the Army, Navy and Metropolitan Police.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of:

·         Councillor Clare Harrisson

·         Councillor Gulam Robbani

·         Councillor Chris Chapman

Apologies for lateness was received on behalf of Councillor Mohammed Mufti Miah.

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 Mohammed Maium Miah declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in Agenda Item 6.1, ‘Question relating to Project Stone’ as he was a leaseholder of a One Housing property.

Councillors Muhammad Ansar Mustaquim and Ayas Miah declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in Agenda Item 5.1, ‘Petition regarding Poplar HARCA’ as leaseholders of a Poplar HARCA property.

Councillor Abdul Asad declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 10.3 Report of the Audit Committee - Treasury Management Outturn Report 2016/17 as he had a pension with the Authority.

Councillor Helal Uddin declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in Agenda Item 5.1, ‘Petition relating to Poplar HARCA’ as his employer had a working relationship with Poplar HARCA and his wife had a leasehold interest in a Poplar HARCA  property. He also declared a personal interest in Agenda 13.8 Motion on fire safety since Grenfell as he was a Council appointed Board Member of Tower Hamlets Homes.

Councillor Asma Begum declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 5.4, ‘Petition debate regarding Save Tower Hamlets Youth Sports’ and as her husband was a Board Member of the Tower Hamlets Youth Sports Foundation. 

Councillors with Declared Pecuniary Interests were required to leave the room for the duration of the relevant items.

To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Council held on Wednesday 17 May 2017.

RESOLVED:

1.            That the unrestricted minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Council held on Wednesday 17 May 2017  be confirmed as a correct record and the Speaker be authorised to sign them accordingly.

The Speaker congratulated Rushanara Ali and Jim Fitzpatrick on their re-election as MPs for the Poplar & Limehouse and Bethnal Green & Bow constituencies at the recent General Election. She also congratulated Councillor Julia Dockerill on her election as MP for Hornchurch and Upminster.

The Chief Executive then gave a brief report regarding the running of the General Election in the Borough held on 9 June 2017. He advised that the task of arranging the election was not the easiest of activities given the eight week time period to prepare and also the challenge of registering an unprecedented number of voters. Nevertheless, thanks to all the hard work, the challenges were successfully overcome. He was also pleased to report that there was a high turnout in both constituencies.  He expressed gratitude to the staff and police as well as the political parties for helping the election run so smoothly. He was also grateful for the positive feedback.

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 13 July 2017.

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 regarding Poplar HARCA

Petitioners addressed the meeting and responded to questions from Members. Mayor John Biggs then responded to the matters raised in the petition. Whilst acknowledging that the Council had no jurisdiction over Poplar HARCA, the Mayor reported that he had worked closely with the organisation to reduce parking charges and save social housing. He would continue to lobby the organisation to influence their decisions. He also stated that leaseholders could lobby the organisation over such matters as services charges and major works and he was happy to meet with the petitioners to consider their concerns.

RESOLVED:

1.            That the petition be referred to the Acting Corporate Director, Place for a written response within 28 days.

5.2       Petition relating to Save Our NHS

Dr Jackie Applebee Turner and others addressed the meeting and responded to questions from Members. Councillor Rachael Saunders, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Health and Adults Services then responded to the matters raised in the petition. She advised that the Mayor had confirmed that he would not sign up to the North East London Sustainability and Transformation Plan until a wide range of issues had been addressed. She stated that she would continue to fight against the plans to centralise services and  the cuts to health budgets. She also reported that she had met with NHS colleagues to express concerns about the proposals and the draft plans were available on line for local residents to view. She looked forward to working with the petitioners to address their concerns.

RESOLVED:

1.            That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Health, Adults and Community, for a written response within 28 days.

5.3       Petition relating to renewable energy

Petition not presented due to the absence of the petitioner.

RESOLVED:

1.            That the petition be referred to the Acting Corporate Director, Place for a written response within 28 days.

5.4       Petition Debate – Save Tower Hamlets Youth Sports

Chris Dunne addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners and the Council then debated the matters raised by the petition. Following a debate, the Mayor responded to the petition. Whilst recognising that the Trust was operating at a deficit, he explained that the Council could not provide funding to the Trust without a clear a business plan. The Mayor was however willing to explore ways of supporting youth sport and young people for example through an Overview and Scrutiny Committee discussion. 

Procedural Motion

Councillor Oliur Rahman moved and Councillor Ohid Ahmed, seconded, a procedural motion “that under Procedure Rule 14.1.3 the order of business be varied such that item 13.12  Motion regarding John Biggs failing the Borough and austerity axing the Olympic Legacy be considered as the next item of business”.

The procedural motion was put to the vote and was defeated

Procedural Motion

Councillor Andrew Cregan moved and Councillor Rabina Khan,seconded, that under the rules for a Petition Debate, their motion on ‘Save Tower Hamlets Youth Sport’ be considered”. The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

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 followed by a supplementary question were put and were responded to by the Mayor or relevant Executive Member:-

6.1       Question from Ahmed Hussain

1. Argent wants to make the most money out of the regeneration 2. OHG wants to increase its stock as much as it can and wants to borrow money against OUR property 3. The council wants to shift some of its residents from the waiting list to the newly built homes (even though they will not get the preferred 35% out of this regeneration); they also want to increase their receipt on council tax All of the above are supported by the council under the current Mayors Executive Power

But what is the council doing to ensure:

1. The current leasehold and freeholders will get a like for like property; surely the council needs to be fair for all and not just look after itself, housing association and the developer?

Response of Councillor Rachel Blake,Cabinet Member for Strategic Development and Waste:

I fundamentally disagree with the assertion within the question and as far as I know so does the Mayor that all of the above are supported by the Council under the current Mayor’s executive power. Not only does he not have the power on this but also I don't believe it to be our vision for the Island. Of course we will and we have acted fairly on this issue. One of the things I was most concerned about when we first came into administration was the lack of attention provided by the previous administration on this very issue. As far as I could tell they had done nothing to hold One Housing Group to account on some of the plans that they had brought forward. It is interesting that so many of them have left, they don't even want to hear our conversation now about what is to be done about some of these plans that lack consultation and that lack, frankly, common decency in terms of how they have related to residents. I would like to be really clear that I dispute your assertion that parts one, two and three of your question are supported by the Council and I look forward to what you have to say next.

Supplementary question from Ahmed Hussain:

If there was a chance I would probably rewrite my question, but that is not the option here today.

The things that the Mayor and yourself are doing our brilliant and especially what Candida Ronald is doing with the four estates forum, which I attend, but there is more to do. The thing is, that it is our houses. It is our livelihood and you really need to take that in consideration and my supplementary question is, if the last administration could deliver a like-for-like for the Blackwall Reach regeneration on Robin Hood Gardens, then surely you can do that too or at least put some pressure to this regeneration to include like-for-like?

Councillor  ...  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 Independent Group, the People’s Alliance of Tower Hamlets and Councillor Andrew Wood on behalf of the Leader of the Conservative Group, responded briefly to the Mayor’s report.

An opportunity for the Mayor and Group Leaders to set out their views on the ‘State of the Borough’.

The arrangements are as follows:

·         Mayor John Biggs to speak for twenty minutes

·         Councillor Oliur Rahman to speak for five minutes

·         Councillor Peter Golds to speak for five minutes

·         Councillor Rabina Khan to speak for five minutes

·         Mayor John Biggs to respond for five minutes

·         Close of debate

The Mayor gave his address, focusing on past achievements and future challenges regarding: ASB and crime, housing, employment and growth, the cost of living, children and young people services, environment and waste, fire safety works, the leadership of the Council and community cohesion.  He felt that much progress had been made but more still needed to be done.

Councillor Oliur Rahman (Leader of the Independent Group) responded to the Mayor’s addresses. He expressed concern about the quality of children and youth services, cuts to services, the increase in crime unemployment and the cost of living.

Councillor Peter Golds (Leader of the Conservative Group) also responded to the Mayor report. He welcomed the government’s plans to provide additional funding for affordable housing and stressed the need for additional infrastructure to accommodate new developments and for action to address the increase in ASB and fire safety issues. He also shared his views on the proposed changes to the Greenwich Foot tunnel.

Councillor Rabina Khan (Leader of the People’s Alliance of Tower Hamlets) also gave her views on the State of the Borough. She expressed concern about child safeguarding issues, child poverty levels, the increase in hate crime, equality and diversity issues and the cuts to services in view of these issues.

The Mayor John Biggs then responded to the points. He noted the need for the Council to serve all of the people within the community. He reported that he would continue to focus on this objective.

At the end of the item, the Speaker adjourned the meeting at 9:15pm. The meeting was reconvened at 9.25pm

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 or relevant Executive Member

9.1       Question from Councillor Denise Jones:

Can the mayor tell us what steps he has taken to ensure fire safety on Tower Hamlets Homes and other housing provider estates following the tragic Grenfell Tower disaster?

Response of Councillor Sirajul Islam,Cabinet Member for Housing:

The Grenfell tower fire was a terrible tragedy and our thoughts and I know the prayers of everyone in the council go out to the victims, their friends and families.

The safety of Tower Hamlets residents is our top priority and in the wake of this tragedy we are taking the necessary precautions to protect residents.

All 900 blocks managed by Tower Hamlets Homes have had Fire Risk Assessments within the last year.  The nine blocks identified as a “substantial” risk have been re-checked following the Grenfell Tower fire and works to reduce the risk level are underway, in close consultation with the London Fire Brigade. 

The Mayor and senior officers met with local registered social housing providers to coordinate and provide mutual support in responding to resident concerns and Government guidance, particularly around cladding materials including emphasising the importance of robust FRAs, as well as working closely with the new Fire Brigade Commander. 

Officers have also contacted private block owners and the Approved Inspectors responsible for ensuring construction materials and methods complied with building regulations.

The swift response to the recent fire at Dickinson House on Turin Street (Avebury Estate) demonstrated the readiness of the Council and Tower Hamlets Homes to act quickly and we’ve done fantastic work together.

Supplementary question from Councillor Denise Jones:

You have said that all the Tower Hamlets Homes properties have had new Fire Risk Assessments done in the last 9 months or so and I would like to know how these will be monitored in the future and how we are keeping those up. And also can you tell us how many Tower Hamlets Homes blocks had valid Fire Risk Assessments when you became the Mayor?

Councillor Sirajul Islam’s response to supplementary question:

In the last nine months we ensured that all Tower Hamlets Homes blocks as well as RPs had approved FRAs. Prior to Mayor Biggs being elected we had no approved FRAs within the Council. In the last 9 months we have managed to get those done. How would we monitor FRAs, FRAs are carried out on a regular basis, an annual basis, so they will be rechecked, but I think that the Grenfell fire enquiry will probably recommend a newer kind of FRA regime, so you may know that FRAs only look at internal areas not the external cladding, so it could be a recommendation that we bring in more robust FRAs following the enquiry recommendations.

9.2       Question from CouncillorOhid Ahmed:

Can the Mayor confirm the precise figures and names of the high-rise buildings as well as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

Council is asked to consider the final report of the Clear Up Board.

Note – the report was prepared and published for Cabinet by the Acting Corporate Director, Governance, Graham White. The report is now the responsibility of the new Corporate Director, Governance, Asmat Hussain.

The Council considered the report of the Corporate Director, Governance, presenting the findings of the Clear Up Board.

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

RESOLVED:

1.            That the report of the Clear Up Board be noted.

Extension of time limit for the meeting

Councillor Danny Hassell moved, and Councillor Sirajul Islam seconded, a procedural motion that “under Procedure Rule 15.11.7 the meeting be extended for up to an additional 20 minutes to enable the remaining reports on the agenda to be considered”.

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

Council is asked to consider the Annual Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the 2016/17 municipal year.

Councillor John Pierce, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee during 2016-17, presented the Committee’s Annual Report for that year.

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

Accordingly it was:

RESOLVED:

1.            That the contents of the Annual Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2016-17 be noted.

Council is asked to consider the Treasury Management Outturn Report for 2016/17.

The Council considered the report of the Audit Committee setting out the Treasury Management Outturn for 2016/17.

The recommendations 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 twelve months to 31 March 2017.

2.                  The Pension Fund investments balance (set out in section 9 of Annex A to the report).

3.                  The Council’s investments as at 31 March 2017 (as in Appendix 2 of Annex A to the report).

4.                  The Prudential indicators outturn for 2016/17 (set out in Appendix 1of Annex A to the report).

There was no business to transact under this agenda item.

Council is asked to consider the report of the Chief Executive in respect of the Late Night Levy consultation process.

The Council considered the report of the Chief Executive in respect of the Late Night Levy consultation process.

The recommendations were put to the vote and were agreed. Accordingly it was:

RESOLVED:

1.            To note the use of the delegated powers by the Chief Executive under part 2 of the constitution, Article 12.06( c )(ii) due to an emergency or extreme urgency whether or not reserved to the Council to enable the commencement date of the late night levy to be rescinded. The reason being that there was not a full Council meeting between the service of the Judicial Review application from ALMR and the 1^st June.

2.            To note the proposed new commencement date of the 1^st January 2018 and the further re-consultation the outcome of which will be brought back to full Council for further consideration and decision as to whether or not to adopt the levy.

Council is asked to consider the report of the Corporate Director, Governance proposing a number of revisions to Part 3.3 (Overview and Scrutiny Committee Terms of Reference) of the Council’s Constitution.

The Council considered the report of the Corporate Director, Governance proposing a number of revisions to Part 3.3 (Overview and Scrutiny Committee Terms of Reference) of the Council’s Constitution

The recommendations were put to the vote and were agreed. Accordingly it was:

RESOLVED:

1.            That it be resolved that the Muslim Faith representative on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee is able to vote on Education matters; and

2.            That the Terms of Reference for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at Part 3.3 of the Constitution be amended by the Monitoring Officer to reflect that the Muslim Faith representative can vote on Education matters

Council is asked to consider the report of the Corporate Director, Governance proposing a number of revisions to the following Parts of the Council’s Constitution:

·         4.2 (Access to Information Procedure Rules)

·         4.3 (Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules)

·         4.5 (Overview and Scrutiny Committee Procedure Rules)

·         4.6 (Financial Procedure Rules)

·         4.7 (Contract Procedure Rules)

The Council considered the report of the Corporate Director, Governance proposing a number of revisions to Parts of the Council’s Constitution.

The recommendations were put to the vote and were agreed. Accordingly it was:

RESOLVED:

That the Council note:

1.                  The spreadsheet in Appendix 1 of the report setting out the revisions and the reasons;

That the Council approve:

2.                  The revised Part 4.2 of the Constitution (Access to Information Procedure Rules) in Appendix 2 with the revisions shown as tracked changes;

3.                  The revised Part 4.3 of the Constitution (Budget and Policy Framework Procedure) in Appendix 3 with the revisions shown as tracked changes;

4.                  The revised Part 4.5 of the Constitution (Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules) in Appendix 4 with the revisions shown as tracked changes;

5.                  The revised Part 4.6 of the Constitution (Financial Regulations and Procedure Rules) in Appendix 5 with the revisions shown as tracked changes; and

6.                  The revised Part 4.7 of the Constitution (Contracts and Procurement Procedure Rules) in Appendix 6 with the revisions shown as tracked changes.

Council is asked to consider the report of the Corporate Director, Governance proposing a number of revisions to Part 5.2 (Planning Code of Conduct) of the Council’s Constitution.

The Council considered the report of the Corporate Director, Governance proposing a number of revisions to Part 5.2 (Planning Code of Conduct) of the Council’s Constitution.

The recommendation was put to the vote and was agreed. Accordingly it was:

RESOLVED:

1.            That the revised Planning Code of Conduct in Appendix 1 of the report be approved.

The motions submitted by Councillors for debate at this meeting are set out in the attached report.

None of the submitted Motions were debated due to lack of time