Agenda order changed at the meeting to consider an Urgent Motion at 13, as the first item of business.

Speaker of the Council, Councillor Mohammed Ahbab Hossain

in the Chair

The Speaker of the Council addressed the meeting.

The Speaker recognised that this had been a very difficult year for the community. Everyone had been personally affected by the pandemic. In recognition of this, he had held a special virtual interfaith gathering on 25^th February[MM1] , with a range of faith leaders and elected representatives. This was for the purposes of giving prayers and messages of comfort and support to the community. He was pleased to report that it had been very well received. 

He looked forward to a number of future events to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Independence of Bangladesh. This was a very special occasion which is celebrated around the world and highlighted the importance of learning to live with and respect one another. In particularly, he invited Members to join him at a Speaker’s event on 26^th March to read out messages from the community. He looked forward to sharing this.

With reference to Mother’s Day and International Women’s Day, he paid tribute to all mothers and the achievements of women. 

He also expressed concern about the number of women affected by violence, following the recent events.

At the invitation of the Speaker, the Council observed a minute’s silence to remember  Sarah Everard and all those women who have been the victims of violence. The Council also paused to remember those who gave their lives for the Independence of Bangladesh.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of:

·       Councillor Dipa Das

·       Councillor Puru Miah

·       Councillor John Pierce

·       Councillor Zenith Rahman

Members are reminded to consider the categories of interest, identified in the Code of Conduct for Members to determine; whether they have an interest in any agenda item and any action they should take. For further details, see the attached note from the Monitoring Officer.

Members are also reminded to declare the nature of the interest at the earliest opportunity and the agenda item it relates to. Please note that ultimately it is the Members’ responsibility to identify any interests and also update their register of interests form as required by the Code.

If in doubt as to the nature of an interest, you are advised to seek advice prior to the meeting by contacting the Monitoring Officer or Democratic Services.

Regarding Motion 12.1 relating to Care Full Pay, the Speaker noted that a number of Members had recorded membership of the GMB Union in their register of interests. Whilst he noted this declaration, he had been advised that all Members may participate in the debate and vote on this item.

Councillor Kahar Chowdhury declared a Non - Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (Non DPI) in Agenda item, 12.1 Motion regarding Care Full Pay. This was on the basis of his wife’s employment in the care sector. He advised that she did not benefit from the proposals. He did not vote on the motion.

Councillor Krysten Perry declared a Non - DPI in agenda item 7,  Administration Motion debate– regarding Climate Change. This was on the basis that she was Chair of the Council’s Pensions Committee.

To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 20^th January 2021 and the Budget Meeting of the Council held on 4^th March 2021.

RESOLVED:

1.     That the unrestricted minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on Wednesday 20^th January 2021 and the Meeting of the Budget Council meeting held on 4^th March 2021 be confirmed as a correct record and the Speaker be authorised to sign them accordingly.

The Speaker was pleased to announce the set up of a Freedom of the Borough Panel to consider nominations from the community for the award. Full Council would ultimately have the final vote on the nominations to decide the winner(s).  The Speaker also expressed an intention to coordinate this award with honouring other activities, for example those who had done so much during the pandemic.

The Chief Executive, Will Tuckley provided an update in relation to the following issues:

• Violence Against Women. He advised of the plans to light up the Bromley Public Hall in orange this evening to recognise the UN’s Elimination of Violence against Women campaign and following the death of  Sarah Everard.
• The Covid/Vaccines programme. Over 57,000 residents had received their first dose of the vaccine. The Council were working hard with the NHS to reach  the 100% target for the most vulnerable residents. He also reported that, next Tuesday, there would be a National Day of Reflection and a national minutes silence at 12 noon. Bromley Public Hall would also be lit up as a mark of respect.
• Staffing issues. Following a successful recruitment process, he was pleased to welcome to the Council, Stephen Nayakatawa as Director of Education. Neville Murton and Asmat Hussain had left the Council. Work was underway to recruit to the new post of Corporate Director, Resources and Governance and Section 151 Officer.
• Success at Awards. He was pleased to report that the Council’s Asthma and Wheeze project has been shortlisted for an award by the Health Services Journal.
• Elections. The council continued to make good process in preparing for the various elections on 6^th May 2021 – (for the London Mayor, the local GLA Member and the referendums on the Council’s Governance arrangements and the Isle of Dogs Neighbourhood Plan). The count for these elections would be held on Saturday 8^th May at the Excel Centre.
• Census 2021. It was very important that residents were encourages to complete their survey.

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

There are no petitions for consideration at this meeting.

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 presented his report to the Council. Following which:

•         Councillor Peter Golds, Leader of 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.

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

Councillor Rabina Khan moved and Councillor Andrew Wood seconded the following amendment to the motion as set out in the supplementary agenda:

To be added to the existing text:

The Council Notes:

•    Friends of the Earth claims that the environment movement is “still overwhelmingly white and middle-class. It further states that we need a “diverse range of voices to solve global problems and achieve social justice.”

•         In January 2020 in Davos, Switzerland, Ugandan climate activist, Vanessa Nakate, posed for a photo with Greta Thunberg and three other white climate campaigners. However, when Vanessa subsequently “struggled to find photos” that included her, she discovered that the Associated Press news agency had cropped her out of the image with Greta and that none of her comments from the press conference were included.

•      Theo Cullen-Mouze, an Irish climate activist was appalled that Africa is “deliberately removed from the picture. He said: “Africa has contributed the least [carbon emissions] but will suffer the most from climate breakdown.”

•     The Archdeacon of Croydon, the Venerable Dr Rosemarie Mallet, is a leading figure within the Church of England on climate change. Her aim is to give a voice to those who are keen to bring about change, but fear the repercussions of doing so. During Extinction Rebellion protests for example, people from BAME backgrounds fear being targeted by the police in a less favourable way that white protesters.

•     When Lucy Craig, a 73-year-old white activist was asked whether she thought that being a middle-class, well off white woman helped her within the protest, she said: “Absolutely. Everything is fuelled by white privilege.”

The Council Believes:

•             Despite the fact that BAME people have been involved in climate activism for decades, their views and efforts seem to be excluded from debates. International climate lawyer, Farhana Yamin, for example, was a lead proponent of the net zero emissions by 2050 goal in the Paris Agreements. She was tired of the promises made by the carbon emission trading system. “I wanted to think bolder and bigger – no more mucking around with carbon budgets. These gases are toxic. We shouldn’t create trading systems for toxic pollutants.”

•             Although people from BAME backgrounds have been invisible in the climate debate and protests, they are disproportionately affected by air pollution, not least because areas of London with the highest levels of pollution are occupied by a large BAME population. Most people will recall the tragic case of Ella Kissi-Debrah, the 9-year-old whose mother believes that her daughter’s fatal asthma attack was linked to illegal levels of pollution.

•         In August 2020, Anjali Raman-Middleton set up the pollution advocacy group Choked Up with three other students. Anjali had attended the same primary school as Ella.

The Council Resolves:

•         The council proposes a programme called Tower Hamlets Diversity in Climate Change Engagement to deliver effective engagement with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

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.

Councillor Andrew Wood moved and Councillor Peter Golds seconded the motion as printed in the agenda.

Councillor Eve McQuillan  moved and Councillor Danny Hassell seconded the following amendment to the motion, as set out in the supplementary agenda.

Added text underlined

Deleted text scored out

That the scale of development in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets is the highest in the country, which is why we receive the most New Homes Bonus of any local authority and that the Councils Local Plan 2031 allocates 57% of all new homes in the Borough to the Isle of Dogs and South Poplar area which already contains three of the ten densest small places in the country.  

This scale of development seriously impacts on the health and quality of life of existing residents as well as visitors to the area. It also disrupts local roads and transport. needs to be managed carefully to mitigate the impact on residents and businesses but also to ensure that we continue to provide the much-needed new council and affordable homes across the borough.

We note the positive work that the Council does to minimise the impact of construction, to support residents, and to promote and enforce good standards, and we note the ongoing reviews – including a review of the Construction Code of Practice – and the establishment of the Development Coordination Pilot which means we can take an holistic approach to addressing recurring issues.

The Council recently launched the Development Coordination Pilot, with a team formed in February 2021, to complement the wide range of compliance activity the Council already undertakes. The team are currently engaging all stakeholders, including service areas, developers, residents, members and more.

We recognise the challenges involved in accommodating the significant levels of construction activity and the establishment of this team demonstrates the Council’s desire to address those challenges.

Two residents have died in construction related injuries while living next to or walking past a construction site, namely in Bow and Burdett Road, Limehouse.

There have also been dangerous incidents in the Isle of Dogs and South Poplar caused by construction. During construction of the Calders Wharf development a crane accidentally hit the residential property located on Douglas Path. This year, a bollard being lifted by a crane fell onto Marsh Wall. A metal pole fell from a site fell next to a dockside path in Crossharbour in February. During the demolition of Robin Hood Gardens concrete fell onto a pavement  by the site. Although there were no injuries resulting from these latter incidents they did cause concern to residents.

The impact of construction noise also affects peoples mental health and air quality is affected by construction dust and particles.

This Council believes that we should promote and focus on good industry standards and champion those who meet those standards.

The Council also notes the move of economic activity from offices to homes in the area as working from home becomes more common.

We believe as a Council that we should  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To consider, under the Budget and Policy Framework, the report of Cabinet proposing a Community Safety Partnership Plan for 2021-24.

The Council considered the Community Safety Partnership Plan 2021-2024

RESOLVED:

1.     That the Council adopt the Community Safety Partnership Plan 2021-24

To consider the report of the General Purposes Committee on the proposed Pay Policy Statement for 2021-22.

The Council considered the Report of the General Purposes Committee setting out a Pay Policy Statement for 2021 – 22.

RESOLVED:

1.       That the Council adopt the Pay Policy Statement for 2021-22.

2.       Delegate to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Divisional Director HR and Organisational Development, Chair of the GP Committee and Monitoring Officer, any minor changes to the 2021/22 pay policy statement

To consider the report of the Director of Legal and Interim Monitoring Officer on a proposed co-optee appointment to the Standards Advisory Committee.

The Council considered the report of the Standards Advisory Committee regarding the appointment of a Co-Opted Member to the Committee.

RESOLVED:

1.       That the Council appointDenzil Johnson as a Co-opted Member of the Standards Advisory Committee for a four-year term, expiring on 17 March 2025

To consider the report of the Director of Legal and Interim Monitoring Officer covering administrative aspects relating to Member Attendance due to Councillor John Pierce taking a period of adoption leave.

The report also requests Council appoint a Chair of the Strategic Development for the duration of his adoption leave.

The Council considered the report regarding the extension of Councillor John Pierce’s period of non attendance of office.  The Council were also asked to appoint a Chair of the Strategic Development Committee in Councillor Pierce’s absence.

Mayor John Biggs moved and Councillor Motin Uz – Zaman seconded a nomination to appoint Councillor Kevin Brady to the position until the May 2021 Annual Council Meeting.

RESOLVED:

1.     That the Council agree to the request to extend Councillor John Pierce’s period of office beyond the six-month period of non-attendance provided for within Section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds of being on adoption leave.

1.          That Council approve the requested extension of time to expire on 31 December 2021.

2.          That Councillor Kevin Brady is appointed the Chair of the Strategic Development Committee until the Annual Council Meeting in May 2021

To consider the report of the Director of Legal and Interim Monitoring Officer proposing a Member Allowances Scheme for 2021-22 covering the Mayor, Councillors and Co-opted Members.

The Council considered the report of the Director of Legal and Interim Monitoring Officer, proposing the adoption of the Members’ Allowance Scheme for 2021/22.

RESOLVED:

1.     That the Council adopt the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Members’ Allowances Scheme 2021/22 as set out at Appendix ‘A’ to the report.

2.     Agree that the Members Allowances Budget be adjusted as necessary to cover the costs following the uprating of the local government pay award as set out at 3.4 of the report.

To consider the report of the Director of Legal and Interim Monitoring Officer proposing a calendar of Council and Committee meetings for the 2021-22 Municipal Year.

The Council considered the report of the Director of Legal and Interim Monitoring Officer proposing a Calendar of Meetings for 2021/22

RESOLVED:

1.     That the Council approve the proposed calendar of meetings for the municipal year 2021/22 as set out in Appendix 1 of the report, subject to the change to the June meeting of the Grants Determination Sub – Committee from 9^th June to 23^rd June 2021.

2.     To delegate to the Interim Monitoring Officer 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.

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.

11.1 Question from Councillor Gabriela Salva Macallan:

Recently the major US health insurance group Centene Corporation took over GP services provided by AT medics, affecting half a million patients, in what has been described as privatisation of the NHS by stealth. Can the Mayor or Cabinet Member provide an update on the impact in Tower Hamlets, and how this privatisation might impact our outstanding public health services which have worked so hard to keep our communities safe during the pandemic?

Response of Councillor Rachel Blake, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing:

We consider that this is a really important issue. At the heart of it, lies the question of how we govern the NHS and it’s accountability. We consider that this issue requires much more careful public scrutiny. Local residents should gain assurances from the Government about patient care. Above all, we believe that the NHS should remain in public hands and we are deeply concerned  that this is further evidence of privatisation by stealth.

No supplementary question was asked.

11.2 Question from Councillor Peter Golds

Will the Mayor provide an update and likely timetable regarding the rebuild of George Green’s Secondary School?

Response of Councillor Mufeedah Bustin, Cabinet Member for Planning and Social Inclusion - Lead on Social Inclusion:

I am pleased to confirm that we have secured funding for the following three new schools in the Borough. These are London Dock, Westferry School and the rebuild of the George Green’s Secondary School. Following the initial feasibility study, a design consultant was about to be appointed, with the aim of completing the rebuild of the school by August 2024, with an option of an accelerated or a phased programme, where possible, to open in September 2023. The Council have committed in total £51. 4 million to the school’s rebuild, which was a fantastic investment of infrastructure money on the Isle of Dogs.

Supplementary question from Councillor Peter Golds:

I am pleased that the work covered the three schools including the Westferry School development. Can you confirm whether the Council had exchanged leases for that school?

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin’s response to supplementary question:

I will find out and provide a written response to you.

11.3 Question from Councillor Sufia Alam

Can the Mayor or Cabinet Member tell us how we are supporting young people into work?

Response of Councillor Motin Uz-Zaman, Cabinet Member for Work and Economic Growth:

It is noted that the economic impact of the pandemic has had a huge impact on young people and families. The Council were working hard to make sure, that as the economy recovers, that we support young people into work. This was a top priority of the Mayor, myself and the Cabinet.

I can provide you with an example of this. In September 2020, the Work Path scheme, began the co-location of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

Procedure Motion

Councillor Kevin Brady moved and CouncillorEhtasham Haque, seconded, a procedural motion “that under Procedure Rule 9.3, the Members Questions conclude and the remaining motions, 12.1-12.3 be put to a vote without discussion due to lack of time”. The procedural motion was agreed.[MM1] 

12.1   Motion regarding Care Full Pay

Councillor Rachel Blake moved and Councillor Val Whitehead seconded the motion as printed in the agenda

The motion was agreed

RESOLVED:

This Council notes

This council notes:

1.          The GMB union has launched its Care Full Pay campaign calling for full occupational sick pay for residential social care staff with the aim of persuading care providers and Government that full sick pay is one of the most effective forms of infection prevention in care homes.  The main objectives being

a.    Full occupational sick pay for those working in residential social care. 

b.    Covid-19 full sick pay as a step to full sick pay. 

c.     Promote full sick pay as an infection control measure

2.          The UK has one of the lowest levels of Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) in Europe. Over time, the value of the payment has been eroded, and it now equates to around a fifth of median earnings. The April 2020 SSP rate is £95.85 per week.

3.          According to the 2020 Vivaldi study, 77 per cent of care home workers received SSP-only (and a further 7 per cent did not receive any sick may coverage).

4.          The Government set up the Adult Social Care Infection Control Fund with the primary purpose of this fund to support adult social care providers to reduce the rate of COVID-19 transmission in and between care and support wider workforce resilience.

5.          The Adult Social Care Infection Control Fund was initially set up with £600 million in funding and was paid out in two tranches. The first has been paid to local authorities on 22 May 2020. The second tranche paid in July 2020.

6.          The Government have now agreed to extend the Adult Social Care Infection Control Fund for social care until March 2021, with an additional £546 million for infection control in care in September 2020.

7.          Dealing with our post Covid-19 future we will need more rigid infection control measures in our care system.

8.          That social care workers provide a vital service in Tower Hamlets and across the country, and are greatly valued.

This council understands that:

1.          A strong body of emerging evidence links inadequate sickness pay to higher infection rates, and a reluctance to return to work including:

a.    The initial findings of the Vivaldi study include tentative evidence that ‘in care homes where staff receive sick pay, there are lower levels of infection in residents.

b.    A recent survey of furloughed and non-furloughed workers found that ‘workers without employer-provided sick pay have a significantly lower willingness to pay to return to work,’ and also that ‘workers without additional sick pay are significantly more likely to continue to work even with mild coronavirus  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

13.1    Urgent Motion regarding aftermath of Sarah Everard protests

Under Council Procedure Rule 11.2, Councillor Asma Begum moved and Councillor Rachel Blake seconded the motion as published in the supplementary agenda.

Following debate, the motion was agreed unanimously.

RESOLVED:

This Council notes:

1.          The murder of Sarah Everard has launched a wave of anger and protest across the country. Reports from the vigil held at Clapham Common show police officers using excessive force against protestors

2.          Blessing Olusogun’s death remains unexplained

3.          Nicole Smallman and Bibaa Henry were killed after meeting friends in a park. Police officers were detained at the time on suspicion of misconduct in public office on the grounds that they took and shared unofficial and inappropriate photographs of the women at the crime scene

4.          Deaf and Disabled women, women from Black Asian Minority Ethnic backgrounds and LGBTQ women are even more likely to experience harassment, discrimination and abuse. Women from diverse backgrounds experience abuse differently and male power is used against them differently.

5.          Women living in poverty are particularly vulnerable to experiencing violence and face disproportionate challenges in accessing the necessary support to make them safe. Lack of access to secure housing, precarious employment, difficulty accessing social security and poverty work to keep women in abusive situations.

6.             There are on average 12 honour killings every year in the UK

7.             Whilst serious physical assaults by strangers are rare, street harassment and violence against women and girls is endemic in the UK:

o   80% of women of all ages have been sexually harassed in public

o   97% of young women have been sexually harassed  

o   One in two women are sexually harassed in the workplace

o   One in three women experience domestic violence in their lifetime

o   One in five women will be raped in their lifetime

o   2 women a week are killed by a current or former partner, and 3 women take their own lives following domestic abuse

8.          Women who report rape have a 3% chance of it ever being heard in court. Most women who survive domestic violence do not receive justice from the criminal justice system.

9.          In Nottingham, police have trialled treating misogyny as a hate crime.

10.      Tower Hamlets Council has an established a Champions programme to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls

11.      Tower Hamlets has a No Place for Hate campaign to send a clear and consistent message that hate will not be tolerated in our borough

12.      Tower Hamlets has invested in Independent Domestic Violence Advocates

This Council believes:

1.          Male violence against women and girls is part of a broader culture of misogyny in society.

2.          Perpetrators of serious violence usually have a history of inflicting abuse and harassment against other women and girls. Tackling violence against women and girls means dismantling this culture.

3.          It also means tackling other forms of discrimination and the economic system that further enables abuse against women and girls.

4.          That a justice system that allows  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.