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

During the meeting, the Council agreed to vary the order of business. 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 3 – Minutes.
• Item 4 – Announcements.
• Item 5.1 – Petition regarding Wapping Speed Cameras
• Item 5.9 -  Petition regarding Wapping Social Club
• Item 5.2 – Petition regarding Watts Grove Parking permitts
• Item 5.10 - Petition regarding the Save Jamboree Campaign

·         Item 5.3  - Petition regarding Community Saftey in Dunmore Point and surrounding areas

• Item 5.4  - Petition regarding Drug Dealing and Anti – Social Behavior in Gower Walk and surrounding areas
• Item 6 – Mayor’s Report. 

·         Item 7 – Administration Motion debate

• Item 8 – Opposition Motion debate
• Item 9.1 – Members Questions (none debated due to lack of time)
• Item 10 – Reports from the Executive and the Council’s Committees.

·         Item 10.1 - Report of the General Purposes Committee, Pay Policy Statement

• Item 11 – Other Business.

·         Item 11.1 - Annual Report to Council by the Independent Person

·         Item 11.2  - Members' Allowance Scheme 2018/19

·         Item 11.3  - Committee Calendar 2018/19

The Speaker of the Council brought the Council up to date with some of her activities since the previous Council meeting. The Speaker reported that she had attended and supported a range of community events showcasing the achievements of local individuals and groups. These included:

·         A Children’s Rally as part of an International Mother Language Day Programme, in Altab Ali Park.

·         The Sylhet Festival about Sylhet’s heritage, cuisine and its cultural practice.

·         The Bangabandhu Young Talents Forum that encouraged young writers.

·         Several events celebrating International Women’s Day.

·         Canary Wharf Sports Personality of the Year Awards.

·         The Annual Civic Awards Ceremony.

·         The Jack Petchey’s “Speak Out” Tower Hamlets Regional Finals where the champion went forward to the next stage. This was a public speaking competition for all state schools across London and Essex

She thanked all the organisations who had invited her to share these experiences.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of:

·         Councillor Amina Ali

·         Councillor Gulam Robbani

·         Councillor Maium Miah

Apologies for lateness were received on behalf of:

·         Councillor Amy Whitelock Gibbs

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.

Councillors Shafi Ahmed,Aminur Khan, Denise Jones and Peter Golds declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in the following agenda Items:

·         9.20, Member Question relating to the Council Tax Support scheme and the self-employed.

·         12.11, Motion regarding Stop the Cut to the Council Tax Reduction (CTR) Scheme.

·         12.14, Motion regarding  the Council Tax Reduction Scheme.

Councillor Rabina Khan declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in the following agenda Items:

·         9.20, Member Question relating to the Council Tax Support scheme and the self-employed

·         12.11, Motion regarding Stop the Cut to the Council Tax Reduction (CTR) Scheme

·         12.13, Motion regarding a Private Rental Enforcement Team 

·         12.14, Motion regarding  the Council Tax Reduction Scheme

Councillor Rabina Khan also declared a personal interest in agenda item

5.10,Petition regarding the Save Jamboree Campaign as the premises was within her ward.

Councillors Shah Alam and Ayas Miah declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in the following agenda items:

·         9.20, Member Question relating to the Council Tax Support scheme and the self-employed

·         12.11, Motion regarding Stop the Cut to the Council Tax Reduction (CTR) Scheme

·         12.13, Motion regarding a Private Rental Enforcement Team 

·         12.14, Motion regarding  the Council Tax Reduction Scheme

·         12.20, Motion regarding Fire Safety in Tower Hamlets for Residents

Councillor Shafiqul Haque declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in the following agenda item:

·         12.11, Motion regarding Stop the Cut to the Council Tax Reduction (CTR) Scheme

·         12.13, Motion regarding a Private Rental Enforcement Team 

·         12.20, Motion regarding Fire Safety in Tower Hamlets for Residents

Councillor Rajib Ahmed declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in agenda Item 12.11, Motion regarding Stop the Cut to the Council Tax Reduction (CTR) Scheme

Councillor Helal Uddin declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in the following agenda items:

·         9.30, Member Question relating to parking charges byPoplar Harca

·         12.13, Motion regarding a Private Rental Enforcement Team 

·         12.20, Motion regarding Fire Safety in Tower Hamlets for Residents

Councillors Dave Chesterton, David Edgar, Harun Miah and Muhammad Ansar Mustaquim declared Disclosable Pecuniary Interests in the following agenda Items:

·         12.13 Motion regarding a Private Rental Enforcement Team 

·         12.20 Motion regarding Fire Safety in Tower Hamlets for Residents

Councillor Danny Hassell declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in agenda Item, 12.5 Motion regarding changes to university pensions.

Councillors Ohid Ahmed and Mahbub Alam declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in agenda Item, 9.20, Member Question relating to the Council Tax Support scheme and the self-employed

The Speaker also reported that Councillor Amy Whitelock Gibbs had asked that it to be noted that she had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in agenda item 9.9, Member Question relating to the Cadogan Terrace and Fairfield Conservation Area.

Members declaring Disclosable Pecuniary Interests would be required to leave the room for the duration of the relevant agenda items.

To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the:

·         Ordinary Council Meeting held on Wednesday 17 January 2018.

·         Budget Council Meeting held on Wednesday 21 February 2018.

RESOLVED:

1.            That the unrestricted minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on Wednesday 17 January 2018  and the Budget Council Meeting held on Wednesday 21 February 2018 be confirmed as a correct record and the Speaker be authorised to sign them accordingly.

The Speaker reported that this was the last Council meeting before the local elections. For any Councillors who were not standing for election, this would therefore be their last Council meeting. The Speaker thanked each retiring Councillor for their hard work supporting local communities whilst they had been Councillors and wished them well for the future.

The Mayor and Group Leaders then paid tribute to the outgoing Councillors highlighting some of their achievements and contributions to the Borough. A number of the Councillors also spoke about their time in office (both at this stage of the meeting and also during item 7, the Administration Motion debate).

On a separate matter, the Speaker announced that the Council had won a national LGC ward in the Environment Services category for its carbon fund.

The Chief Executive then made a short statement on recent events at the Council. He reported that the Council had held a staff conference on 8th March 2018 which was well attended. The event, which fell on International Women’s Day, focused on the achievements of women in Tower Hamlets, past and present. The Council had also launched the ‘Your Vote is Yours Alone’ Cabinet Office and Electoral Commission campaign.  The Council would also be conducting one of the advanced postal vote pilots for the forthcoming local elections

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

Any further petitions received by the deadline for the meeting are listed for information and to be noted.

5.1       Petition regarding Wapping Speed Cameras

Stephen O’ Shea 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. He noted the problems with car speeding in Wapping and the importance of safety campaigns and road design in addressing the issue. To this end, the Council were looking at street calming measures and street design to discourage and prevent speeding.  

On the issue of speed cameras, he advised that Transport for London and the Metropolitan Police jointly installed and managed the cameras based on a specific criteria regarding road safety. None of the streets in Wapping met this criteria. However, the Council would continue to work with the community to help address the issue.

RESOLVED:

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

Procedural Motion

Councillor Mahbub Alam moved, and Councillor Ohid Ahmed seconded, a procedural motion “that under Procedure Rule 12.1.(c), the order of business be changed to enable Item 5.9 Petition regarding Wapping Social Club to be heard as the next item of business.” The procedural motion was put to the vote and was agreed.

5.9       Petition regarding Wapping Social Club

Katherine Bracken and others 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. He stressed that he wished to see a community centre remain open on the site and did not have a problem with the community centre contiuing providing that the centre was properly managed and the building was in a good state of repair.

He also added that he had met with representatives of the centre to look at how the issues could be addressed.

RESOLVED:

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

5.2       Petition regarding Watts Grove Parking permitts

Kabir Hussain and others 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. He advised that both he and Councillor Sirajul Islam, Cabinet Member for Housing, had recently attended a meeting at Watts Grove with many of the residents.

He reminded the meeting that whilst the development was car free, the residents could apply for a parking permit under the transfer scheme. The Mayor also added that he would continue to review the Council’s parking policy to ensure it balanced the needs of residents and minimised congestion. Regarding the need for double yellow lines, he reported that the Fire Authority had advised that they were necessary to facilitate emergency access to the development.

RESOLVED:

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

Procedural Motion

Councillor Andrew Cregan moved, and Councillor Rabina Khan seconded, a procedural  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

The Council’s Constitution provides for the Elected Mayor to give a report at each Ordinary Council Meeting.

A maximum of six minutes is allowed for the Elected Mayor’s report, following which the Speaker of the Council will invite the respective political group leaders to respond for up to two minutes each if they wish.

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 Aspire Group, the People’s Alliance of Tower Hamlets and the Conservative Group, responded briefly to the Mayor’s report.

To debate a Motion submitted by the Administration in accordance with Rules 11 and 13 of the Council’s Constitution. The debate will last for a maximum of 30 minutes.

Administration Motion regarding the future of Tower Hamlets Council

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

Councillor Ohid Ahmed moved and Councillor Oliur Rahman seconded the following amendment to the motion to be debated as tabled:

This Council notes that:

1.    Tower Hamlets Council has emerged from a period of turbulence and chaos which was created by the previous mayor Lutfur Rahman and his administration, many of whom still serve as councillors.

2.    The Government had to appointed Commissioners to run services in the wake of Lutfur Rahman’s administration.

3.    Since Lutfur Rahman’s removal from office by the Election Court, and the election of Mayor Biggs, Tower Hamlets Council has undergone a significant period of change and improvement which was recognised by the Government who withdrew their Commissioners.

4.    Mayor Biggs and his administration have opened up the council’s decision-making process, and we now have a council focussed on the services that residents rely upon rather than a council which Secretary of State Sajid Javid said “had completely lost the trust of its residents” and “was mired in corruption and financial mismanagement”.

This Council further notes that:

1.    The election court in 2015 ruled that ‘the election of all THF Councillors must be taken to have been achieved with the benefit of the corrupt and illegal practices’.

2.    Most of the councillors elected as part of Tower Hamlets First remain on the Council according to the democratic mandate given to them by the people of Tower Hamlets.

3.    Tower Hamlets First became splintered into two groups: the ‘Independent Group’ (10 Councillors) and the ‘People’s Alliance of Tower Hamlets’(6 Councillors).

4.    The ‘Independent Group’ has now officially registered renamed itself as ‘Aspire’, and has formally recognised registered as a political party with the Electoral Commission.

5.    The ‘People’s Alliance of Tower Hamlets’ has now been formally registered as a political party with the Electoral Commission.

This Council believes that:

1.    The Council has never unanimously stated that it will ensure it does not become chaotic, dysfunctional or riddled with cronyism and corruption under any administration recognised the damage caused by the previous mayor and this motion represents an opportunity for the Council to unanimously declare as such that we will never return to the chaos of the past.

2.    The rebranding, or renaming of political groups, or parties or misleading politically convenient statements while in administration  does not absolve them anyone of their responsibility and accountability of their respective record of delivery for residents or indeed hide their previous failings when in office if there were any.

This Council further believes that:

1.    Most of the above points in the original motion presented by Mayor Biggs are politically motivated opinions by the current Labour Mayor and his Group. Council therefore notes the following sample of important factors that have been ignored by the current Mayor to clarify the Council’s recent record:

a.    Before  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To debate a Motion submitted by one of the Opposition Groups in accordance with Rules 11 and 13 of the Council’s Constitution. The debate will last for a maximum of 30 minutes.

Opposition Motion By The People’s Alliance of Tower Hamlets  regarding the Gender Pay Gap Audit 2018

Councillor Rabina Khan moved and Councillor Abdul Asad seconded the motion as printed in the agenda.

Councillor Andrew Cregan moved and Councillor Rabina Khan seconded the following amendment to the motion to be debated as tabled:

Under, "The Council agrees..." add:

6. The Council to make sure it has a clear Shared Parental Leave policy, that employees are aware of this and actively encouraged to take it up.

7. As well as the gender pay audit, to carry out an ethnicity pay audit, to determine whether employees from Black and Ethnic Minority backgrounds are consistently paid less. The audit should include an action plan to address any issues found. 

Councillor Ohid Ahmed moved and Councillor Oliur Rahman seconded the following amendment to the motion to be debated as tabled:

TheThis Council Notes that:

1.    The Parliament first pressed for equal pay in 1944, in relation to equal pay for men and women teachers.

2.    In 1970 Equal Pay Act 1970 was passed. Until that time, it was commonplace for jobs to be advertised with one rate of pay for a man, and another for a woman. The Equal Pay Act outlawed discrimination in pay and is still used today to challenge such discrimination.

3.    Pay transparency audit, which includes the gender gap pay data, under section 78 of the Equality Act 2010 was introduced, at last, in 2016.

4.    According to the latest Government data, 74% of firms pay male staff higher wages than their female counterparts.

5.    The average gender pay gap across all medium and large-sized firms is now 8.2%, as measured by median pay.

6.    By law, all firms with more than 250 staff must report their gender pay gap to the government by 4 April this year. So far only 1,047 firms have complied, leaving another 8,000 to go. For that to happen, however, the information provided must lead to change. Transparency is effective only when firms act on the information revealed, and this includes Tower Hamlets Council.

7.    According to the most recent figures from the Office for National Statistics, Tower Hamlets is also one of the top ten areas with the highest gender pay gaps.

8.    More women have left Tower Hamlets Council than ever before [Note – to be clarified], in particular, from black and minority backgrounds. The following FOI shows the breakdown. FOI: 9551965 - Staff who have left/joined council by ethnicity - By ethnicity of all staff having left or joined the authority since 12 June 2015, as in the following table:

*Note: The council does use the ethnicity category 'South Asian'.

9.    Approximately 9% of the council staff are consultants and agency  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

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.

Questions 9.1- 33 were not put due to lack of time. Written responses would be provided to the questions.(Note:  The written responses are included in Appendix ‘A’ to these minutes.)

mTo consider the report of the General Purposes Committee on the Pay Policy Statement 2018-19.

The Council considered a report of the General Purposes Committee on the Pay Policy Statement 2018-19. Councillor Danny Hassell moved an amendment to the report of the General Purposes Committee and the Pay Policy Statement that was tabled at the meeting as set out at resolutions 1 and 2 below.

The recommendations subject to the amendment were put to the vote under the guillotine procedure at Council Procedure Rule 9

RESOLVED:

That the Council:

1.            Note the report of the General Purposes Committee subject to the following amendment

On page 85 paragraph 3.4 Replace the word “excluding” with “including”.

So would now read: “A severance package for any member of staff of £100,000 or more (including an employee’s right to contractual redundancy and pension/pension lump sum payments) will be subject to the approval of General Purposes Committee and noting by Full Council”

2.            Resolve to approve the Pay Policy Statement for 2018/2019 as set out in Appendix 1 of the report subject to the following amendments:

On pages 93 to 100

Paragraph 2.1 – In bullet point for definition of Non-statutory officers the words “The Corporate Director, Place as well as” to be added before the words “Divisional Director”

So would now read: “The Corporate Director, Place as well Divisional Directors and Heads of Service in each Directorate that report to a Chief Officer”

Paragraph 4.1 – The post “The Corporate Director, Place” to be added to the list of posts.

So would now read: “Pay for the Head of Paid Service; Corporate Director, Children’s Services; Corporate Director, Health, Adults and Community; Corporate Director, Resources; Corporate Director, Governance and Corporate Director, Place is made up of 3 elements”

Paragraph 12.2 – Replace the word “excluding” with “including”.

So would now read: “A severance package for any member of staff of £100,000 or more (including an employee’s right to contractual redundancy and pension/pension lump sum payments) will be subject to the approval of General Purposes Committee and noting by Full Council”

3.            Note the proposed arrangements for the approval of salary packages and severance packages of £100,000 or more as set out in the Pay Policy paragraphs 5 and 12.2 of the report.

4.         Note that the Pay Policy provisions enable the Head of Paid Service to determine a settlement payment where there is no dismissal without the need for agreement of General Purposes Committee unless the payment value is £100,000 or more.

5.         Agree that if any minor changes to the 2018/19 pay policy statement are required as a result of future government guidance or an updated Local Government Transparency Code, these amendments be delegated to the Chief Executive, after consultation with the Divisional Director (HR and Transformation), the Chair of the General Purposes Committee and the Monitoring Officer. Should any fundamental changes be required, the Pay Policy statement will be referred back to the General Purposes Committee and then Council for consideration.

To receive the Annual Report of the Independent Person appointed in accordance with the provisions of the Localism Act 2011.

The Council considered the Annual Report of the Independent Person appointed in accordance with the provisions of the Localism Act 2011. The recommendation was put to the vote under the guillotine procedure at Council Procedure Rule 9

RESOLVED:

1.         That the Annual Report of the Independent Person for 2017 be noted.

To consider the report of the Corporate Director, Governance proposing the adoption of the Members’ Allowance Scheme for 2018/19.

The Council considered the report of the Corporate Director, Governance proposing the adoption of the Members’ Allowance Scheme for 2018/19. The recommendation was put to the vote under the guillotine procedure at Council Procedure Rule 9

RESOLVED:

1.            That the London Borough of Tower HamletsMembers’ Allowances Scheme2018 be adopted as set out at AppendixA to the report

To consider the report of the Corporate Director, Governance proposing a Calendar of Meetings for 2018/19.

The Council considered the report of the Corporate Director, Governance proposing a Calendar of Meetings for 2018/19. The Speaker advised of a proposed amendment to the calendar to move the October meeting of the Standards Advisory Committee from 18^th October 2018 to 24^th October 2018.

The recommendations subject to the amendment were put to the vote under the guillotine procedure at Council Procedure Rule 9

RESOLVED:

1.            That the proposed calendar of meetings for the municipal year 2018/19 be approved as set out in Appendix A of the report including the amended standard start times where appropriate subject to the following amendment:

·         That the meeting of the Standards Advisory Committee  scheduled for October be moved from 18^th October 2018 to 24^th October 2018.

2.            That the Corporate Director, Governance be delegated the authority to agree meeting dates for any new Committees or Panels that are set up subsequent to this report being presented to Council, subject to appropriate consultation with Members.

No motions were debated due to a lack of time.