The Speaker of the Council, Councillor Mohammed Ahbab Hossain in the Chair

 

The Speaker reported that the Council were all deeply shocked and saddened by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. He understood that this may be a distressing time - particularly for those who have friends and family living in the countries concerned.  The Council were here to support the community and colleagues at this time.

The Speaker was also sad to announce the passing of former Tower Hamlets Councillors: Nigel Huxted, Fred Stratford and Sajjad Miah.  They will be remembered for their dedication and community work.

The Council’s thoughts and prayers are with those affected by these events.

The Council rose to observe a minute’s silence.

 

 

Apologies for absence were received on behalf:

 

·       Councillor Puru Miah

 

Apologies for lateness were received on behalf of Councillor Sufia Alam.

 

 

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.

 

The Director of Legal and Monitoring Officer advised that the Standards Advisory Committee had agreed a general dispensation to all Councillors in respect of matters relating to the Council Tax and also on Housing where the Councillor (or spouse or partner) holds a tenancy or lease with the Council. Members did not therefore have to declare a DPI in respect of these matters.

 

Councillor Kahar Chowdhury declared a Non Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in agenda item 5, Budget and Council Tax 2022/23, in relation to any budget proposals that affected care services. This was due to his wife’s employment.

 

 

There were none.

 

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.

 

 

Petition regarding Complete Cycleway 2

 

Dan Simpson and others  addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners, and responded to questions from Members.  Councillor Kahar Chowdhury, Cabinet Member for Highways and the Public Realm then responded to the matters raised in the petition

 

He noted that improving walking and cycling routes in the Borough is a key priority of the Council, as set out in its Transport Strategy. Therefore, the Council were working closely with TfL on a number of initiatives, including:

• Working to identify improvements to the cycle network. This included: delivering Cycleway 2, (which is on the TfL network), and changes to the network at Mile End Road and by the Ocean Estate.
• Developing the Whitechapel Road Improvement Programme, including measures to improve the section of highway between Vallance Road and Cambridge Health Road.

 

He also recognised that the changes may impact on bus lanes and the local area. Therefore, it was important to secure stakeholders support for the improvements. The Council will continue to work with such partners to  do this and identify funding for improvements.

RESOLVED:

 

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

 

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

 

Councillor Andrew Wood moved the amendment set out in the supplementary agenda, but, due to the absence of a seconder, this amendment could not be considered.

 

Following debate, the substantive Budget for 2022-23, the Council Tax Resolution and the Treasury Management Strategy and Investment Statements and the Capital Report submitted by Mayor John Biggs were put to  a recorded vote and were agreed.

 

DECISION:

 

Budget Motion

 

Revenue 2022-23 and Capital 2022-25

 

1.     To note a General Fund Revenue Budget of £389.473m and approve a Council Tax (Band D) of £1,124.39 (Council share) for 2022-23 as set out in the motion and Council Tax Resolution attached at Annex 1 to the Council report. This incorporates a freeze to the Tower Hamlets element of Council Tax and to only levy a 1% Adult Social Care precept for 2022-23.

 

2.          To note the GLA precept as set out in the Council Tax Resolution.

 

3.          To note the changes in the budget report appendices to reflect the final Local Government Finance Settlement grant allocations (Annex 2 Appendix 1A, 1B, 2 and 3A)

 

4.          To note the Capital Programme, Housing Revenue Account budget and Dedicated Schools budget

 

 

Treasury Management Strategy Statement, Investment Strategy and Capital Strategy 2022-23

 

5.     To adopt the Treasury Management Strategy Statement set out in Annex 3 Appendix A attached to the Council report.

 

6.     To adopt the Investment Strategy Report set out in Annex 3 Appendix B attached to the report.

 

7.          To adopt the Capital Strategy Report (which incorporates the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement) set out in Annex 3 Appendix C attached to the report.

 

Section 25, Local Government Act 2003

 

8.          To note the Section 151 officer’s view on the robustness of estimates and adequacy of reserves required under Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003, set out in section 2 of the report.

 

Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme (LCTRS)

 

9.          To note that the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme will remain unchanged for 2022-23.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BUDGET COUNCIL

2^ND MARCH 2022

COUNCIL TAX REQUIREMENT 2022-23

 

 

That Council:

 

1.             Approve the Council Tax Resolution detailed in Appendix A to this motion.

 

2.             Agree a General Fund revenue budget of £389.473m and a Council Tax requirement for Tower Hamlets in 2022-23 of £121.674m.

 

3.             Agree the Council’s 2022-23 Budget Report set out in Annex 2.

 

4.             Agree the report of the Corporate Director Resources (S151 officer) to the Audit Committee of 27^th January 2022; Treasury Management Strategy Statement Investment Strategy Report and Capital Strategy Report for 2022-23 set out in Annex 3.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix A

LONDON BOROUGH OF TOWER HAMLETS

COUNCIL 2^nd MARCH 2022

COUNCIL TAX RESOLUTION

 

1.     That the revenue estimates for 2022-23 be approved.

 

2.         That it be noted that, at its meeting on 18^th January 2022, Cabinet agreed 108,213 as its Council Tax base for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.