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Home > Council & democracy > Council meetings > Agenda for Council on Wednesday, 15th January, 2020, 7.00 p.m.

Agenda, decisions and minutes

Council - Wednesday, 15th January, 2020 7.00 p.m.

  • Attendance details
  • Agenda frontsheet PDF 279 KB
  • Agenda reports pack
  • Agenda Pack without the large CIL/Local Plan Appendices PDF 7 MB
  • Mayor's Report PDF 336 KB
  • Amendments to Agenda Item 8 - Opposition Motion for Debate PDF 765 KB
  • Printed decisions PDF 349 KB
  • Printed minutes PDF 492 KB

Venue: The Council Chamber, 1st Floor, Town Hall, Mulberry Place, 5 Clove Crescent, London, E14 2BG

Contact: Matthew Mannion, Head of Democratic Services  Tel: 020 7364 4651, E-mail: matthew.mannion@towerhamlets.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

The Speaker of the Council, Councillor Victoria Obaze in the Chair

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

 

She advised that she was very pleased to have hosted and attended a variety of events. This included:

 

·         A variety of awards ceremonies since the last Council meeting from food, horticulture and sports to community involvement – a perfect snapshot of Tower Hamlets (i) the Asian Curry Awards in November; (ii) the 2019 Community Champions in Canary Wharf; (iii) Tower Hamlets in Bloom (iv) Tower Hamlets Homes Community Awards; and (v) the Youth League cup final at Mile End;

·         A Commendation Ceremony at the Tower of London to honour Police Officers, staff and members of the public across the borough for outstanding work, dedication to duty and acts of courage;

·         Carol services at (i) All Saints in Poplar, (ii) the Town Hall with staff who made a donation to the Speakers charity; and (iii) Queen Victoria Seamen's Rest, which included the unveiling ceremony for the new Roe Wing;

·         Christmas celebrations at the Canary Wharf community Christmas Reception;

·         The Council staff bake-off to judge all the cakes entered;

·         The Speaker’s the Annual Charity Ball on 4th December, 2019 held at the East Wintergarden in Canary Wharf where over 200 people came together to support the fundraising on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Society, BPCA and Providence Row.   This event was sponsored by the Canary Wharf Group, Ballymore and Mulalley as well as the wonderful performers who did a great job and are all linked to Tower Hamlets; the Sir John Cass and Redcoat School Steel Orchestra, IMD Legion, Adanta Dance and the James Uglow Lion Group;

·         Music performances from THAMES the Tower Hamlets Arts and Music Education Service, at their Music Centre Concert;

·         The performance of the London International Choral Festival on the 2nd January, 2020;

·         Attending a Dementia Friends refresher which is something all Members of the Council are urged to support as it is of growing importance in our society which is why the Speaker had chosen the Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Project as one of her charities this year;

·         Attending the Swanlea School and Raines Foundation, to speak with the students about knife crime.  This resulted in a very interesting and lively discussion with a number of very useful ideas to take forward.

 

In addition to the above it was noted that the Speaker continues to attend citizenship ceremonies at the Borough’s Register Office and to support community events across Tower Hamlets.

 

1.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

To receive any apologies for absence.

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of:

 

•       Councillor Asma Begum;

•       Councillor Mufeedah Bustin;

•       Councillor Kevin Brady;

•       Councillor Marc Francis; and.

•       Councillor Abdul Mukit M.B.E.

 

2.

DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTERESTS pdf icon PDF 116 KB

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.

 

Minutes:

Following a request from a large number of Members who had interests in agenda item 12.1 (Motion regarding NJC Pay) the Monitoring Officer agreed to grant a dispensation to Councillors as an increase in NJC Pay could have an impact on the allowances of all Members in respect of the Item, under Section C, Paragraph 32 of the Code of Conduct for Members.

 

As a result of this, Councillors with a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in this item did not need to declare this and would be able to stay in the meeting room, participate in the discussion and vote on the item.

 

There were no their declarations of interest received at the meeting.

3.

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 550 KB

To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the Ordinary Council meeting held on 13th November 2019.

 

Additional documents:

  • APPENDIX A Minutes 13.11.19 , item 3. pdf icon PDF 191 KB

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

 

1.    That the unrestricted minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on Wednesday 13 November, 2019 be confirmed as a correct record the Speaker be authorised to sign them accordingly.

4.

TO RECEIVE ANNOUNCEMENTS (IF ANY) FROM THE SPEAKER OF THE COUNCIL OR THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Minutes:

The Chief Executive:

 

Reported that Jenny Peters would shortly be taking up her appointment to the post of Divisional Director of Planning and Building Control and expressed his thanks to David Williams who had been acting in the role.

 

Placed on record his thanks to Theresa Heaney Interim Director Customer Programme for covering since Shazia Hussain had moved to Brent.

 

Was pleased to report the following success stories:

 

·         Djamila Aggabi had won the 2019 Practice Educator of the Year; and

·         Communications Team for winning the LGcommunications - Public Sector Excellence Award.

 

Finally thanked those members of staff who had worked the 2019 General Election.

 

5.

TO RECEIVE PETITIONS pdf icon PDF 207 KB

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

 

The attached report presents the received petitions to be discussed. Should any additional petitions be received they will be listed to be noted but not discussed.

 

5.1

Free Speech on Palestine

Minutes:

Sybil Cock 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. Whilst he understood the passion the topic raised he stated he did not consider it appropriate to add a caveat to the internationally recognised IHRA definition. In respect of events in parks he had asked for a review of the events in parks policy to ensure it was appropriately balanced.

 

DECISION

 

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

 

 

5.2

Wapping Bus Gate

Minutes:

Gina Hayden addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners, and responded to questions from Members. Councillor David Edgar, Cabinet Member for Environment then responded to the matters raised in the petition. He acknowledged the mixed views on the changes but highlighted how the bus gate had cut rat-running and improved air quality and safety.

 

DECISION

 

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

 

5.3

Stop the Burdett Road Entrapment

Minutes:

It was noted that the petitioner Sumaia Begum was not present. The petition was therefore referred to the Corporate Director, that the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Place for a written response within 28 days.

 

 

 

6.

MAYOR'S REPORT pdf icon PDF 254 KB

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 leader of the opposition group to respond for up to two minutes should he so wish.
  • The Mayor to respond to the leader of the opposition for up to two minutes.

 

Minutes:

The Mayor presented his report to the Council. Following which:

 

·         Councillor Andrew Wood, Leader of the Conservative Group, responded briefly to the Mayor’s report; and

·         The Mayor responded briefly.

7.

ADMINISTRATION MOTION DEBATE - Universal Credit pdf icon PDF 211 KB

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.

 

Minutes:

Councillor Rachel Blake moved and Councillor Dipa Das seconded the motion as set out in the agenda

 

Accordingly, it was RESOLVED that:

 

This Council notes:

 

  1. That Universal Credit (UC) has fundamentally failed as a social security system and has caused hardship wherever it is rolled out;

 

  1. Councils are not recognised partners for Universal Credit in the way they are for Housing Benefit and receive no funding to check Universal Credit claims as they are managed by Department for Work and Pensions (DWP);

 

  1. New figures and case studies from Tower Hamlets Council which highlight just how flawed the Universal Credit system is:

 

  1. Over 700 errors flagged to the DWP by this council alone since April 2018 – these errors resulted in £335k in overpayments and £215k in underpayments;
  2. In many cases council staff have had to refer the DWP to their own regulations;
  3. In February 2019 LBTH Housing Benefit assessors identified an obvious contrived tenancy between family members and notified the DWP that UC housing element should not be paid. The council issued four notifications to DWP before they stopped the payment which resulted in a £18k overpayment;
  4. A lone parent placed in temporary accommodation had claimed UC, but the DWP did not understand its own rules (which the DWP had changed) and argued that the council should be paying Housing Benefit.  The case took from January to September to resolve and eventually the DWP acknowledged their mistake and awarded £15k UC.

 

  1. The Council commissioned the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) to research the experiences of Tower Hamlets’ families with children in receipt of universal credit. A qualitative research study between October 2018 and July 2019 found:

 

  1. 79% of responses included some negative sentiment about universal credit;
  2. The transition to Universal Credit has been problematic, and that claimants found making and managing claims using the online system difficult;
  3. Claimants often had problems with Universal Credit payments, finding they varied and were often miscalculated or unexpectedly stopped;
  4. Stakeholders highlighted the monthly payment system, Advance Payment Arrangements and deductions as problematic for claimants;
  5. Claimants and stakeholders had negative experiences of Job Centre Plus (JCP) and interactions with the DWP. “A lack of support, training and awareness among JCP staff seems to have resulted in an absence of dignity for claimants, while stakeholders complained of poor communications with the DWP”;
  6. Many claimants were struggling to get by with the amount of universal credit they received, and were in debt and arrears as a result of being on universal credit. This is exacerbated by the system of payment in arrears and the five-week wait at the start of claims;
  7. Universal credit was seen to have had a negative impact on children.

 

  1. That Tower Hamlets Council has established a multi-million pound Tackling Poverty Fund and is working in partnership with CPAG to understand the impact of Universal Credit in Tower Hamlets and to deliver welfare advice in a local food bank which delivered £230k in income maximisation for residents in its first 5 months.

 

 

This Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

OPPOSITION MOTION DEBATE - Queens Speech and Manifesto Commitments pdf icon PDF 205 KB

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

 

Additional documents:

  • Cllr R Khan Amendment to Agenda Item 8 - Opposition Motion for Debate , item 8. pdf icon PDF 218 KB
  • Labour Group amendment - Opposition Motion regarding the Queen's Speech and manifesto commitments , item 8. pdf icon PDF 343 KB

Minutes:

Councillor Andrew Wood moved and Councillor Peter Golds seconded the motion as set out in the agenda

 

Councillor Mayor John Biggs moved and Councillor Sabina Akhtarseconded the following amendment to the motion to be debated as tabled:

 

Added text underlined

Deleted text scored out.

This Council notes:

  • The election on the 12th December 2019 of a new majority Conservative government.
  • A Queens Speech on the 19th December 2019 containing a large number of proposed Bills, some of direct relevance and interest to Tower Hamlets Council.
  • That the government was elected with a new manifesto containing a number of sections of direct relevance and interest to Tower Hamlets Council as noted below.
  • The increase in the Public Works Loan Board interest rate from 1.82% to 2.82% in October 2019.

 

This Council further notes:

Voters in both constituencies in Tower Hamlets voted overwhelmingly for Labour Members of Parliament to represent them.

That the new Conservative manifesto & Queens Speech contains a number of sections directly relevant to Tower Hamlets. Some examples (but not limited to) include measures relating to Right to Buy, social housing, development infrastructure, Brexit and electric vehicle infrastructure:

“We will maintain our commitment to a Right to Buy for all council tenants. We will also maintain the voluntary Right to Buy scheme agreed with housing associations. Following the successful voluntary pilot scheme in the Midlands, we will evaluate new pilot areas in order to spread the dream of home ownership to even more people.”

For example we in Tower Hamlets could ask to be one of the new pilot areas in order to ensure that the new voluntary scheme works in London.

“As Boris Johnson has promised, we will bring forward a Social Housing White Paper which will set out further measures to empower tenants and support the continued supply of social homes. This will include measures to provide greater redress, better regulation and improve the quality of social housing.”

We in Tower Hamlets need to be influencing this White Paper given both the large stock of existing as well as the large number of new build social homes we have which bring with them unique issues.

“Infrastructure first. We will amend planning rules so that the infrastructure – roads, schools, GP surgeries – comes before people move into new homes”

Given that Tower Hamlets is the most important deliverer of new homes in the country (exemplified by a record 10th year of New Homes Bonus receipts) this is a critically important for us to ensure that those new planning rules work for us here in Tower Hamlets.

“In particular, we will make the UK the leading global hub for life sciences after Brexit.”

We should work with the government to make the Life Sciences centre in Whitechapel the leading centre in London if not the country.

“We will invest £1 billion in completing a fast-charging network to ensure that everyone is within 30 miles of a rapid electric vehicle charging station.”

With more  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

TO RECEIVE WRITTEN QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL pdf icon PDF 219 KB

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.

 

 

Minutes:

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 Dipa DasCan the Mayor update members on the pledge to welcome 10 unaccompanied child refugees to our borough, under the Dubs scheme?

 

The response of Mayor John Biggs:

 

•           I am pleased to say that all 10 young people that we pledged to accommodate via the Dubs arrangements have arrived and are being actively supported.

•           The young people have a range of complex needs and trauma from their life within an active war-zone.

•           Despite these challenges most have settled well and are engaged in education and training with a view to obtaining employment in the coming months.

•           The Government provides only a fraction of the cost to host unaccompanied refugees. We estimate that the shortfall is over £2,500 a week and so my budget proposals include a growth bid to meet this.

•           Despite the squeeze on the Council’s budget I’m proud we are doing the right thing continuing the legacy of the East End welcoming refugees.

•           In contrast last week the government voted to water down their commitments. Children should not be bargaining chips in any EU negotiations: child refugees should be with their families and the UK government should be fighting for them.

•           We will continue to lobby government through London councils to properly fund this scheme in the future.

 

No supplementary question was asked.

 

9.2       Question from CouncillorPeter Golds Will the Mayor comment on how the Council will use the recently announced £5.1 million homeless grant from the Government?

 

•           The response of Councillor Sirajul Islam Statutory Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Housing:This funding is to support the implementation of the Homelessness Reduction Act and the new responsibilities that fall on councils as a result of the Act as well as to tackle rough sleeping. This funding is used for various purposes including staffing, homelessness prevention initiatives and securing temporary accommodation. This includes the conversion of empty/redundant buildings for use as temporary accommodation.

 

Supplementary question from Councillor Peter Golds: (i) In 2018/2019 the Council used £140m from reserves to buy new properties please can we be provided with the details on the outcome of that expenditure; and (ii) Can we also be provided with details of what the £5.1 million Homeless Grant from Government will be spent on.

 

Response of Councillor Sirajul Islam: I will undertake to provide you with that information.

 

9.3       Question from Councillor Sufia Alam How is the Council preparing for any forthcoming inspection of Youth Justice Services?

 

The response of Councillor Danny Hassell Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Young People:

 

·                We are committed to ensuring that the work of the Youth Offending Team ensures that young people leave the service with improved circumstances and aspirations, in line with our ambition to give ‘Every Chance for Every Child’.

·                Since the new inspection  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

REPORTS FROM THE EXECUTIVE AND THE COUNCIL'S COMMITTEES

10.1

Report of Cabinet: Adoption of the Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2031: Managing Growth and Sharing the Benefits pdf icon PDF 118 KB

  • View the background to item 10.1

Additional documents:

  • 10.1 Adoption of the Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2031: Managing Growth and Sharing the Benefits , item 10.1 pdf icon PDF 470 KB
  • 10.1a Appendix 1: for Adoption of the Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2031: Managing Growth and Sharing the Benefits , item 10.1 pdf icon PDF 311 KB
  • 10.1b Appendix 2 for Adoption of the Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2031: Managing Growth and Sharing the Benefits , item 10.1 pdf icon PDF 186 KB
  • 10.1c Appendix 3 for Adoption of the Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2031: Managing Growth and Sharing the Benefits , item 10.1 pdf icon PDF 288 KB
  • 10.1d Appendix 4 for Adoption of the Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2031 , item 10.1 pdf icon PDF 18 KB
  • 10.1e1 Appendix 5a: Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2031 , item 10.1 pdf icon PDF 30 MB
  • 10.1e2Appendix 5b Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2031 , item 10.1 pdf icon PDF 35 MB
  • 10.1e3 Appendix 5cTower Hamlets Local Plan 2031 , item 10.1 pdf icon PDF 19 MB
  • 10.1e4 Appendix 5d Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2031 , item 10.1 pdf icon PDF 23 MB
  • 10.1e5 Appendix 5e: Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2031 , item 10.1 pdf icon PDF 31 MB
  • 10.1e6 Appendix 5f: Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2031 , item 10.1 pdf icon PDF 24 MB
  • 10.1e7 Appendix 5g:Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2031 , item 10.1 pdf icon PDF 23 MB
  • 10.1e8 Appendix 5h:Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2031 , item 10.1 pdf icon PDF 27 MB
  • 10.1e9 Appendix 5i: Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2031 , item 10.1 pdf icon PDF 238 KB
  • 10.1e10 Appendix 5j: Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2031 , item 10.1 pdf icon PDF 425 KB

Minutes:

10.1      Report of Cabinet: Adoption of the Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2031: Managing Growth and Sharing the Benefits

 

The Council considered a report that recommended the adoption the Local Plan recommendations as set out in the main report.

 

RESOLVED

 

1. To note that the Local Plan has been subject to further amendments (following its submission to the Inspector in February 2018) as part of the independent public examination, as described in:

 

a. the Inspector’s Final Report (see appendix 1), and;

b. schedule of main and additional modifications (see appendix 2).

 

2. To agree the recommendation stated in the Inspector’s Final Report.

 

3. To adopt the Local Plan, including the modifications recommended by the Inspector and the additional minor modifications proposed by officers, in accordance with Section 23 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act.

 

4. To authorise the Corporate Director of Place to prepare and publish an Adoption Statement and the final Integrated Impact Assessment Report, in accordance with S26 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.

 

5. To authorise the Corporate Director of Place in consultation with the Mayor and Lead Member for Planning, Air Quality and Tackling Poverty to make typographical amendments to the plan prior to its publication to improve cross-referencing (e.g. paragraph numbering, page re-numbering) and typographical errors.

 

6. To agree to revoke the Council’s current adopted Core Strategy (2010) and Managing Development Document (2013). It is recommended that the current adopted Plans are revoked following the statutory six week legal challenge period of the Local Plan adoption.

 

7. To note that Cabinet has agreed to revoke the following Council’s supplementary/Interim planning documents, subject to adoption of the Local Plan by the full Council (see appendix 3 for a full SPD review). The following documents will be removed as planning policy guidance to ensure an effective and efficient development management process. It will be revoked following the statutory six week legal challenge period of the Local Plan adoption.

 

a. Wood Wharf Masterplan (2003)

b. Aldgate Masterplan (2007)

c. Former Whitechapel Masterplan (2007)

d. Bishopsgate Goods Yard (2009)

e. Bromley-by-Bow Masterplan (2012)

f. Whitechapel Vision Masterplan (2013)

g. South Quay Masterplan (2015)

h. Millennium Quarter Public Realm Guidance Manual (2008)

 

Recorded Vote
TitleTypeRecorded Vote textResult
Report of Cabinet: Adoption of the Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2031: Managing Growth and Sharing the Benefits Report Carried
  • View Recorded Vote for this item
  • 10.2

    Report of Cabinet: Adoption of the Tower Hamlets Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule pdf icon PDF 118 KB

    • View the background to item 10.2

    Additional documents:

    • 10.2 LBTH CIL Charging Schedule , item 10.2 pdf icon PDF 259 KB
    • 10.2a Appendix A for LBTH CIL Charging Schedule , item 10.2 pdf icon PDF 191 KB
    • 10.2b Appendix B for LBTH CIL Charging Schedule , item 10.2 pdf icon PDF 2 MB
    • 10.2c Appendix C for LBTH CIL Charging Schedule , item 10.2 pdf icon PDF 340 KB
    • 10.2d Appendix D for LBTH CIL Charging Schedule , item 10.2 pdf icon PDF 147 KB
    • 10.2e Appendix E for LBTH CIL Charging Schedule , item 10.2 pdf icon PDF 190 KB
    • 10.2f Appendix F for LBTH CIL Charging Schedule , item 10.2 pdf icon PDF 185 KB
    • 10.2g Appendix G for LBTH CIL Charging Schedule , item 10.2 pdf icon PDF 171 KB
    • 10.2h Appendix H for LBTH CIL Charging Schedule , item 10.2 pdf icon PDF 274 KB

    Minutes:

    The Council considered a report that recommended the adoption of a new schedule subsequent to three separate public consultations and examination in public. The newly proposed Charging Schedule aims to increase the rates that the Council currently charges.

     

    DECISION

     

    1.    To formally adopt the new CIL Charging Schedule in accordance with the Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010, Regulation 25.

     

    (Action by: Ann Sutcliffe, Corporate Director, Place)

     

    10.3

    Report of the General Purposes Committee: Delegation of Role to London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee (LC TEC) pdf icon PDF 200 KB

    • View the background to item 10.3

    Additional documents:

    • 10.3 Delegation of Role to London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee (LC TEC) , item 10.3 pdf icon PDF 318 KB

    Minutes:

    Council considered a report that advised Members of two new items being adopted by London Councils and sought Council’s approval to both. The first related to establishing a London wide partnership to assist boroughs in the management and delivery of Electric Vehicle Charging Points (for residential and car club use) and the second to the development of a London wide bye-law to control Dockless Cycle Hire Schemes.

     

    DECISION

     

    1.    To approve the delegation of authority to London Councils to enable them to better support the boroughs in managing and delivering the provision of Electric Charge Points as set out in 3.5 of the main report;

    2.    To approve in principle the development of a new London-wide byelaw to control the operation of Dockless Cycle Hire Schemes within the Borough; and

    3.    To authorise the Divisional Director, Public Realm to sign authorisation forms for both the above matters.

     

    (Action by: Ann Sutcliffe, Corporate Director, Place)

     

    10.4

    Report of the General Purposes Committee: Polling districts and polling places review 2019 pdf icon PDF 287 KB

    • View the background to item 10.4

    Additional documents:

    • 10.4a Appendix A for Polling districts and polling places review 2019 , item 10.4 pdf icon PDF 38 KB
    • 10.4b Appendix B for Polling districts and polling places review 2019 , item 10.4 pdf icon PDF 2 MB
    • 10.4c Appendix C for Polling districts and polling places review 2019 , item 10.4 pdf icon PDF 277 KB
    • 10.4d Appendix D for Polling districts and polling places review 2019 , item 10.4 pdf icon PDF 31 KB

    Minutes:

    The Council noted that (i) this report sets out recommendations for changes to polling districts and polling places as a result of the statutory review of polling districts and polling places undertaken in 2019; (ii) it also set out a small number of recommendations arising from the review but that do not fall within the scope of a statutory review; (iii) the report also incorporated comments on draft recommendations made by the General Purpose Committee on 10 December 2019.

     

     DECISION

     

    1. Agreed the proposed changes to polling district boundaries within the wards of Canary Warf, Island Gardens, Spitalfields & Banglatown, and St Katharines & Wapping as set out in paragraphs 3.27 to 3.31 of the report;
    2. Subject to the availability of the venues, agreed the proposed changes to polling places in the wards of Canary Warf, Spitalfields & Banglatown and Bow West as set out in paragraphs 3.32 to 3.34 of the report;
    3. Requested that the Electoral Registration Officer, on conclusion of the review, to make the necessary amendments to the polling districts and any consequential amendments arising from the review, to take effect from publication of the revised register on 1 December 2020;
    4. Noted the other recommendations arising from the review.

     

    (Action by: Asmat Hussain, Corporate Director, Governance and Monitoring Officer)

     

     

    10.5

    Report of the Audit Committee: Treasury Management Mid-year Report for 2019/20 pdf icon PDF 212 KB

    • View the background to item 10.5

    Additional documents:

    • 10.5 Treasury Management Mid-year Report for 2019/20 , item 10.5 pdf icon PDF 522 KB

    Minutes:

    The Council considered a report that updates members on both the borrowing and investment decisions made by the Corporate Director, Resources under delegated authority in the context of prevailing economic conditions and considers the Council’s Treasury Management performance.

     

    DECISION

     

    1. Contents of the treasury management activities and performance against targets for half year ending 30 September 2019; and

     

    2. Council’s investments as set out in Appendix 1 to the main report. The balance outstanding as at 30 September 2019 was £307.250m

     

    (Action by: Neville Murton, Corporate Director, Resources)

     

     

    11.

    TO CONSIDER MOTIONS SUBMITTED BY MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL pdf icon PDF 237 KB

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

     

    Minutes:

    There were no other items of business for consideration.

     

    12.

    OTHER BUSINESS

    Minutes:

    There was no other items of business for consideration.

     

    13.

    URGENT MOTION FOR DEBATE - Westferry Printworks

    Minutes:

    Accordingly, it was UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that:

     

    The Council noted:

     

    1. That the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government has gone against the views of the Council, many local residents and the Planning Inspectorate and granted planning permission for redevelopment of the Westferry Printworks site;
    2. That the proposed development was initially refused by Tower Hamlets Strategic Development Committee in March 2016. This was then overturned by the then Mayor of London in April 2016;
    3. In 2018, the developer submitted a new application more than doubling the amount of housing, increasing further the density and heights of buildings and reducing the amount of open space, with no significant change in the proportion of affordable housing. The developer appealed before the Council was able to make a decision. However the SDC agreed clear and robust planning reasons for refusal. A public inquiry took place last year.  The Secretary of State has however now granted planning permission, against the recommendation of his appointed inspector, who broadly supported the Council’s case and despite clear opposition of the Council, Mayor of London and local residents;
    4. That the Secretary of State’s decision comes only 24 hours before tonight’s meeting where the Council will vote on the new Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) charging schedule. By doing this the new development avoids the CIL liability and hence the Secretary of State has deprived the Council of an estimated £30m-£50m in CIL contributions.

     

    Therefore this Council believes that:

     

    1. Developments on the Isle of Dogs – which has seen decades of intensive development – must be sensitive to ensure developments strike a balance between realising opportunities for growth and respecting local context;
    2. The plans for the site are unacceptable due to their height and density as well as the low level of affordable housing;
    3. The decision by the Secretary of State to grant planning permission goes against the considerable views and professional opinions that were presented in opposition to the permission being granted;
    4. Decisions of this magnitude should not be taken by the Government behind closed doors and this decision completely disregards local democracy.

     

    This Council:

     

    Condemns the unilateral decision taken by the Secretary of State and to ask Council officers to examine what options are available to the Council to challenge this decision, including the option of a judicial review.

     

     

    Item 13 Urgent Motion - Westferry Printworks

    Councillor Faroque Ahmed

    For

    Councillor Rajib Ahmed

    For

    Councillor Sabina Akhtar

    For

    Councillor Sufia Alam

    For

    Councillor Amina Ali

    For

    Councillor Shah Ameen

    For

    Mayor John Biggs

    For

    Councillor Rachel Blake

    For

    Councillor Kahar Chowdhury

    For

    Councillor Shad Chowdhury

    For

    Councillor Dipa Das

    For

    Councillor David Edgar

    For

    Councillor Peter Golds

    For

    Councillor Ehtasham Haque

    For

    Councillor Danny Hassell

    For

    Councillor Mohammed Ahbab Hossain

    For

    Councillor Asma Islam

    For

    Councillor Sirajul Islam

    For

    Councillor Denise Jones

    For

    Councillor Rabina Khan

    For

    Councillor James King

    For

    Councillor Eve McQuillan

    For

    Councillor Ayas Miah

    For

    Councillor Puru Miah

    For

    Councillor Abdul Mukit MBE

    For

    Councillor Victoria Obaze

    For

    Councillor Kyrsten Perry

    For  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

     

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