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

To elect a Councillor to serve as Speaker of the Council for the municipal year 2018/19 or until a successor is appointed, whichever is the sooner.

(Note: Section 4 and Schedule 2 of the Local Government Act 1972 provide that the election of the chairman (which post the Council has resolved to title ‘Speaker’ in Tower Hamlets) shall be the first item of business transacted at the Annual Meeting of the Council and that in the case of an equality of votes, the person presiding at the meeting shall give a casting vote in addition to any vote s/he may have).

The Speaker of the Council, Sabina Akhtar addressed the meeting about her year of office.  She thanked Mayor John Biggs and Councillors for giving her this opportunity. She congratulated Councillor Ayas Miah on his nomination as the new Speaker of the Council and wished him the very best for the year ahead.

She stated that she had the honour of attending over 300 engagements and had made every effort to visit groups rather than invite them to the Town Hall to see their work.

Some of the highlights included:

·         A visit to Bangladesh to meet local dignitaries including the Prime Minister and the President.

·         A Royal Gun Salute at Buckingham Palace to mark the state visit of the King and Queen of Spain.

·         Celebration event to mark the return of the Old Flo statue to the borough.

·         Citizenship ceremonies. 

·         A very memorable visit to Richard House that supported vulnerable people in society.

·         Fundraising activities in support of the Annual Poppy Appeal.

·         Army engagements and sporting events including the Great River Race.

·         A commemoration event to name a boat ‘Speaker Sabina’.

With reference to her focus on young people, she reported that she had the honour of engaging with them in a variety of ways from school visits and achievement ceremonies, to sports and cultural events, speaking challenges and local democracy week.

She was pleased to say that she held a very successful Charity Ball in December. She thanked all of the people and organisations who supported this event, in particular the Canary Wharf Group and MEARS who were the main sponsors. 

Following the Speaker’s address, Councillors Peter Golds, Asma Islam and Candida Ronald thanked Councillor Akhtar for all she had achieved in her year in office as the first female Bengali Speaker of the Council. They praised in particular the personal qualities she had brought to the role and her ability to chair Council meetings effectively. 

Mayor John Biggs also addressed the meeting. He echoed the above sentiments. He added that it was great to see a young person take up the role of Speaker of the Council and hoped that she would inspire others to step forward for public office.

The Speaker then called for nominations to serve as Speaker of the Council for the coming year.

It was moved by Mayor John Biggs, seconded by Councillor Asma Begum, and unanimously:

RESOLVED

1.            That Councillor Ayas Miah be elected to serve as Speaker of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Council until the Annual Council Meeting in May 2019.

Mayor John Biggs and Councillor Asma Begum then came forward to witness the Speaker of the Council signing the statutory declaration of acceptance of office.

The meeting was adjourned at 7.50pm and reconvened at 7.55pm.

The Speaker of the Council, Councillor Ayas Miah in the Chair

The incoming Speaker, Councillor Ayas Miah thanked the Council for electing him as Speaker. He congratulated Councillor Sabina Akhtar for a successful year in office and her hard work over the last year on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

To elect a Councillor to serve as Deputy Speaker of the Council for the municipal year 2018/19 or until a successor is appointed, whichever is the sooner.

The Speaker sought nominations to serve as Deputy Speaker of the Council for the forthcoming municipal year. It was moved by Mayor John Biggs, seconded by Councillor Asma Begum, and:

RESOLVED

1.            That Councillor Victoria Obaze be elected to serve as Deputy Speaker of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Council until the Annual Council meeting in May 2019.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of

·         Councillor Bex White

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.

There were no declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests.

The Council’s Monitoring Officer provided advice to the Council in respect of agenda item 12, Members Allowance Scheme. Members were advised that the Standards (Advisory) Committee had granted a general dispensation to all Councillors to be present, speak and vote on the determination of allowances, travel expenses, payment or indemnity to all Councillors. As a result, Members did not need need to declare any interests in relation to agenda item 12 and might participate and vote.

To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 21^st March 2018

RESOLVED

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

The Chief Executive addressed the meeting.

He thanked Members, officers and political parties for ensuring that the milestones for the 2018 Mayoral and local election were reached and overcome successfully. The Council had also received a positive visit from Ofsted, had been shortlisted for two MJ awards and were preparing for the Local Government Association Peer challenge in June

He welcomed Warwick Tomsett to the Council as the new Joint Director of Integrated Commissioning who would start in July 2018. This was a joint appointment with the Clinical Commissioning Group. He also welcomed Richard Baldwin, the new Director of Children’s Social Care. He thanked Nancy Meehan for her significant contributions to the Council as the Interim Divisional Director of Children’s Social Care

To note the Mayor’s Cabinet and related appointments in the Executive Scheme of Delegation as at 23 May 2018. Report to follow.

The Council considered the report of the Corporate Director, Governance and Monitoring Officer (circulated in a supplementary agenda) setting out the Mayor’s Cabinet appointments and other arrangements in respect of Executive Decision Making.

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

RESOLVED

1.            That the Mayor’s Executive Decision Making scheme be noted.

To establish Committees and Sub-Committees of the Council for the Municipal Year 2018/19 and allocate places on those Committees and Sub-Committees with the review of proportionality as required by the Local Government Housing Act 1989.

The Council considered the report of the Corporate Director, Governance and Monitoring Officer proposing the establishment of the Council’s committees for 2018/19 and setting out the review of proportionality and the allocation of places on those Committees and sub committees. 

Councillor Kevin Brady moved and Mayor John Biggs seconded the following amendment to the report as tabled:

“The Labour Group proposes to amend the report, to increase the number of places on the:

-          Overview and Scrutiny Committee by two places, taking the total membership to eleven members.

-          Audit Committee by one place, taking the total membership to eight members.

An updated table detailing overall proportionality and committee places is below:

The amendment was put to the vote and was agreed

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

RESOLVED

That the Council agrees:

1.            The review of proportionality as at section 3 of the report  and the allocation of seats on Committees and Panels for the Municipal Year 2018/19 as set out at paragraph 3.6 of the report subject to the following amendment

To increase the number of places on the:

·         Overview and Scrutiny Committee by two places, taking the total membership to eleven members.

·         Audit Committee by one place, taking the total membership to eight members.

2.            The Committees and Sub-Committees established for the municipal year 2018/19, and places be allocated on those Committees and Sub-Committees, as set out at paragraph 3.6 of the report subject to the amendment set out in resolution 1 above in respect of the number of places on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Audit Committee.

3.            To note the proposed arrangements for the Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committees.

4.            That the Corporate Director, Governance be authorised to approve the appointment of Councillors required to fill positions that fall vacant during the municipal year in line with the proportionality arrangements set out in this report.

To agree a revised Schedule of Meetings for the Council, committees and other meetings for the municipal year 2018/19.

The revisions since the calendar was agreed at Council on 21 March 2018 are as follows:

·         Strategic Development Committee – 31 May 2018 – Cancelled

·         Standards (Advisory) Committee – 24 October 2018 – moved from 18 October 2018.

·         Licensing Sub-Committee – 4 September 2018 – Cancelled – note the Licensing Committee meeting on the same date is retained.

·         Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting to directly follow the Annual Council meeting to enable its Sub-Committees to be established.

The Member Training and Development dates have also been revised in line with communications received by Members.

The Council considered the report of the Corporate Director, Governance and Monitoring Officer setting out a revised calendar of meetings for the Council, Committees and other meetings for the municipal year 2018/19.

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

RESOLVED

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

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.

To appoint a Chair and Members to each of the Committees and Sub-Committees of the Council established at Item 8 above, in accordance with the nominations submitted by the Political Groups.

The Council considered the report of the Corporate Director of Governance and Monitoring Officer regarding the appointment of members to the Council’s Committees and Panels, and Chairs where appropriate, (including those established under item 8 above).

The list of nominations received was tabled at the meeting.

Following the receipt of two nominations for the position of Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Chair of the Audit Committee, the nominations were put to the vote and Councillor Abdal Ullah was elected to the position of Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Councillor  Val Whitehead was elected to the position of Chair of the Audit Committee.

Councillor Peter Golds notified the Council of a number of corrections to the tabled list of Conservative Group nominations as set out in the attachment to these minutes.

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

RESOLVED

1.            That members and substitute members be appointed to the committees and sub-committees of the Council and other bodies for the municipal year 2018/19 as set out in the list of tabled nominations as amended at the meeting.

2.            That the Chairs of Committees for 2018/19 be appointed from amongst the list of tabled nominations subject to the appointment of Councillor Abdal Ullah to the position of Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Councillor Val Whitehead to the position of Chair of the Audit Committee.

3.            That in relation to any unfilled places within the seats allocated to a particular political group, the Council note that the Corporate Director, Governance has delegated authority subsequently to agree the appointments to those places in accordance with nominations from the relevant political group.  

To note the report on the use of Special Urgency provisions in the past year.

The Council considered the report setting out when Special Urgency provisions have been applied to Executive Key Decisions.

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

RESOLVED:

1.            That the report on the use of special urgency provisions in relation to Executive Key Decisions  be noted

To receive the report of the Corporate Director, Governance and Monitoring Officer proposing the adoption of the members’ allowance scheme for 2018/19.

(Note: To match the content of the report, the word ‘Statutory’ was removed from the Appendix)

The Council considered a report of the Corporate Director, Governance and Monitoring Officer (circulated in a supplementary agenda) regarding the Members’ Allowance Scheme.

Councillor Andrew Wood moved and Councillor Peter Golds seconded the following amendment to the motion as tabled:

“In the last months of the previous Council year twenty-three Councillors received a Special Responsibility Allowance SRA (19 Labour, 2 Conservative, 1 Aspire, 1 PATH) which on a full year basis would have cost £247,300 (not including employer National Insurance costs).

Significant savings were achieved last year due to a number of Councillors covering two different roles but who were only paid one SRA. Had every single role been taken up by a different Councillor then 30 Councillors would have been paid £304,600 in total.

Three of these Councillors and £27,300 of the costs were due to leaders of opposition groups also getting an SRA. This will fall to one opposition Councillor receiving £5,000.

With less opposition and more Labour Councillors to spread the workload we do not support the proposed changes by the Labour administration which would increase the annual cost to £375,300 (these costs exclude the Mayor and each Councillors basic Allowance of £10,938 per annum)

It would mean that potentially 28 Labour Councillors would get an SRA up from 19 before the election.

The Conservative Groups proposed amendment is as follows:

1.         Two Councillors (not three) getting a substantial increase in SRA so that they can more effectively support the Mayor by being able to work on an almost full-time basis.

2.         Some important Committee Chairs are paid less than Chairs of less important committees or Mayoral advisers. We believe SRA’s should more closely match responsibility, so we propose to increase the SRA for the Chairs of Pension, Audit, Licensing to £8,000

And reduce the SRA for the Speaker, Mayoral Advisers, Scrutiny Leads and Scrutiny Sub-Committee Chairs to £6,000 to better reflect workload.

3.         We do not believe we need a Chief Whip, Leader of the Majority Group nor Deputy Speaker and that these roles should be removed as well as one of the three Mayoral advisers

4.         That each Committee and Sub-Committee should be covered by a separate Councillor with no duplication of roles.

5.         This still provides money for 2 Mayoral Advisers and 2 Scrutiny leads to cover non-committee work (one of these can be the Deputy Speaker).

6.         That we save the money from having fewer opposition leaders.

The following is a summary of the different proposals. April 2018 Actual is the SRA’s paid in April grossed up for a full year. The April 2018 Maximum Payable would have been the total if every SRA role was filled by a separate Councillor instead of being unfilled or if Cllrs had not done two jobs but been paid once.

To determine whether the Council will appoint Political Advisors under the provisions of Section 9 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 for the duration of the current administration and if so to agree the arrangements for such appointments.

The Council considered the report of the Corporate Director, Governance and Monitoring Officer (circulated in a supplementary agenda) regarding the appointment of Political Advisors.

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

RESOLVED

1.         That the Council agree to re-establish for the duration of the current administration, posts of political assistant (known as Political Advisors) to those political groups that quality for such a post in accordance with Section 9 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

2.         That in order to contract the total cost of the posts within the budget, this should be on the basis of 1.0 FTE post for the Labour Group and 0.20 FTE for the Conservative Group.

The Constitution (Part 4.1 Paragraph 1.1) sets out the matters which should be reported to the AGM. There are three further matters listed in the Constitution which should be reported. Council are therefore asked to note the following:

1.    The Mayor shall report on any appointments to outside bodies

The Mayor intends to make appointments to a number of outside bodies. These appointments will be made in an Executive Decision report and will subsequently be reported up to the next available meeting of Council.

2.    To report on any changes made to the Council’s Constitution since the last Annual Meeting.

The changes that have been made to the Constitution since the last Annual Council meeting have all been reported up to previous Council meetings. These were:

·         19 July 2017 – (Parts 3.3, 4.2, 4.3, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7 and 5.2)

·         22 November 2017 – (The Council Procedure Rules and The Member/Officer Relations Protocol)

3.    State of the Borough Debate – it has been agreed to move this to a later meeting to allow time for the Freedom of the Borough Award meeting.

The Council noted the following matters to be reported to the Annual Council Meeting in accordance with the Council’s Constitution procedure rule,  Part 4.1 Paragraph 1.1. Accordingly it was

RESOLVED:

That the Council notes

1.            That the Mayor shall report to the Council on any appointments to outside bodies, arising from an Executive Decision, at the next available Council meeting.

2.            The changes made to the Council’s Constitution since the last Annual Council meetings, that have all been reported up to previous Council meeting, as set out below:

·         19 July 2017 – (Parts 3.3, 4.2, 4.3, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7 and 5.2)

·         22 November 2017 – (The Council Procedure Rules and The Member/Officer Relations Protocol)

3.            That it had been agreed to move the State of the Borough Debate to a later meeting to allow time for the Freedom of the Borough Award meeting.