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

The Speaker of the Council brought the Council up to date with some of his activities since the previous Council meeting.

He advised that he was very pleased to have attended a variety of events. These included:

• Engagements with fellow Civic Heads including the Annual London Mayors’ Association dinner

• Welcoming to the Borough the New Bangladesh High Commissioner, Her Excellency Ms Saida Muna Tasneem
• The East London Titans Cricket Club Awards.

Turning to current work, the Speaker confirmed the details of two forthcoming events. One was the Civic Awards; an event to honour local individuals who have made a significant contribution in some way.  The second was a fundraising dinner to raise money for his chosen charities.

With reference to International Mother Language Day (to take place on 21 February 2019), the Speaker paid tribute all those who had suffered for this cause. At the request of the Speaker, the Council rose to observe a minutes silence in memory of the victims.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of:

·         Councillor Sufia Alam

·         Councillor Sabina Akhtar

·         Councillor Ehtasham Haque

·         Councillor John Pierce.

Apologies for lateness were also received on behalf of Councillor Marc Francis

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 Gabriella Salva Macallan declared an Interest (that was not required to be included in the Register of Members’ Interests) in Agenda item 4.1, a Petition regarding the Community Language Service. This was on the grounds that one of the supporters present was a close family relative.

Councillor Abdul Mukit MBE declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in agenda item 4.1, a Petition on the Community Language Services. He also declared an Interest that must be registered (Other Interests) in agenda item 5, Budget and Council Tax 2019/20 regarding the proposals on the Community Language Service. This was on the basis that his wife was an employee of the LBTH Community language service.

Councillor Abdal Ullah declared an Interest that must be registered (Other Interests) in respect of the Community Language Service. This was on the basis that he served on a Committee for a community language provider.

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

The Chief Executive was very pleased to announce that Neville Murton had been appointed to the post of the Corporate Director of Resources and that Matthew Mannion had been appointed to the new post of Head of Democratic Services.

The Council Procedure Rules provide for a maximum of four petitions to be discussed at a Budget Meeting of the Council.

The attached report presents the received petition to be discussed. Should any further petitions have been received they would have been listed to be noted but not discussed. No further petitions were received.

4.1       Petition calling on the Council to Keep the Community Language Service publicly funded for a multilingual and multicultural Tower Hamlets.

Apsana Begum 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 provided reassurances about the Council’s continued support for the community language services. He also outlined his plans to carry out full consultation in respect of future plans for the service.

RESOLVED:

1.         That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Resources/Corporate Director, Children and Culture for a written response within 28 days.

To consider the proposals of the Mayor and Executive for the Council’s Budget and Council Tax 2019/20. Please note that this report includes the General Fund Revenue and Capital Budget and Medium Term Financial Plan 2019/20 – 2021/22, the Housing Revenue Account and the Treasury Management Strategy Statement.

Mayor John Biggs moved, the budget proposals of the Mayor and Executive as set out in the agenda pack. Councillor Candida Ronald seconded the proposals.

Councillor Rabina Khan proposed and Councillor Andrew Wood seconded an additional amendment without notice on the subject of providing resources for safeguarding against radicalism. In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 2.5, the Speaker adjourned the meeting at 7.40 p.m. so that officers’ advice could be sought on whether Councillor Rabina Khan’s proposed amendment could be accepted for debate.  The meeting reconvened at 7.50pm. 

Following the adjournment, the Monitoring Officer advised that the proposed amendment was in order. The Speaker then put the proposal that the amendment be accepted for debate to the vote. This proposal was defeated.

Councillor Puru Miah withdrew his amendment at the beginning of the debate.

Councillor Andrew Wood then moved and Councillor Peter Golds seconded an amendment

Following debate, the amendment proposed by Councillor Andrew Wood was put to a recorded vote and was defeated.

The substantive budget proposals were then put to a recorded vote and were agreed.

RESOLVED

That Council: -

1.         Agree a General Fund revenue budget of £342.560m and a total Council Tax Requirement for Tower Hamlets in 2019-20 of £100.331m as set out in the table below.

To consider a report setting out the proportionality of seats on the Council’s Committees following the by-elections held on Thursday 7 February 2019.

The Council considered the report of the Corporate Director, Governance, in respect of changes to the proportionality calculations for allocating places on the Council’s Committees.

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 2018/19 as set out at paragraph 3.6 of the report.

2.            To note the committees and panels established for the municipal year 2018/19 as listed in paragraph 3.6 as agreed at the Annual Council meeting held on Wednesday 23 May 2018.

3.         That the Monitoring Officer 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.

4.         That the Monitoring Officer 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.