The Speaker of the Council, Councillor Shafi Ahmed in the Chair

The Speaker of the Council provided his update to the Council. He advised that he was pleased to have been able to participant in many events and activities in the community over the last couple of months.

Passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

The Speaker reported that he had attended various community events to mark the passing of the Queen and expressed his sincere thanks and gratitude to all involved. He had attended a memorial service at All Saints in Poplar, which included representatives from the Council, the inter faith forum and the local community. He then asked those present to join him in standing for a two minute silence to remember the late Queen.

He had led the proclamation of King Charles III. He wished the new King every success as he took on his role.

Other highlights included:

·         The Council’s parks and open spaces service had won an award for City of the Year 2022 at the London in Bloom awards ceremony, which was hosted in the Borough.

·         He had attended the Asian restaurant and takeaway awards, an industry which was very important to the borough. He was delighted once again to see Tower Hamlets businesses being nominated.

·         He had met various community groups and organisations at annual events and celebrations and had also enjoyed getting to know more civic colleagues from other boroughs

Finally, he wished to pay tribute to the young men who had rescued residents from a fire at Bentworth Court, Bethnal Green; Sakariye, Zakariya and Saeed.  He commended their bravery and thanked them for their selfless actions.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillor Suluk Ahmed.

Apologies for lateness were received by Councillor Rachel Blake.

It was noted that due to exceptional circumstances Councillor James King was joining the meeting remotely.

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.

Following the receipt of a written request from a significant number of Members, the Monitoring Officer had agreed, in line with the Member Code of Conduct,  to grant a general dispensation to all Councillors on Agenda Item 8 ‘Opposition Motion for Debate on Support for Small Businesses in the Face of the Energy Bill Crisis’ as without the dispensation a large number of Members would have to declare a Pecuniary Interest and leave the room for the debate and this would impede the ‘transaction of the business’ as well as ‘impact the representation of the different political groups on the body conducting the business so as to alter the outcome of any vote on the matter’.

Councillor Shubo Hussain declared a non-disclosable non-pecuniary interest in Agenda Item 10.1 ‘Spitalfields Neighbourhood Plan’ as he had a coffee shop on the boundary of the respective area.

To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on Wednesday 27 July 2022.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the unrestricted minutes of the Ordinary Council meeting held on Wednesday 27 July 2022 be approved and signed by the Speaker as a correct record of proceedings.

The Chief Executive provided his regular update regarding the following issues:

·         The Council would be marking the following events and milestones in the coming weeks

o   Black History Month in October,

o   National Customer Services Week

o   National Hate Crime Week

o   World Mental Health Day on 10th October.

·         Preparations were well advanced for the Bow Neighbourhood Planning Referendum. Polling day would be Thursday 13 October 2022.

·         Matthew Eady, the new Director of Children’s Commissioning and Culture, would join the Council on 1 November 2022. 

·         He congratulated staff across Tower Hamlets, and particularly those in the Council, who received awards in the inaugural THT integrated care awards on 29 September and announced that the Team of specialist Teachers of the Deaf had been nominated for a Barts Health Allied Health Profession Day Award. 

·         The Council had received 8 gold awards at the London in Bloom awards for 2022 on 21 September, including the Large Park Award for Victoria Park and large cemetery, heritage and conservation awards for Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park.  The Council was named category winner for Town/City of the Year.   

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 Petition regarding CCTV on Gill Street

Lucilia Branco, Denise Otto and Shabul Zaman addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners and responded to questions from Members. Councillor Ohid Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities responded to the matters raised in the petition. He stated that the Council was committed to its investment plan to upgrade and replace all old cameras with a new high tech cameras. Whist deployable CCTV had recently been deployed in Gill Street. There were good reasons why CCTV installation there was not ideal and an alternative method of addressing ASB in that location would be explored. 

RESOLVED:

1.    That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Health, Adults and Communities for a written response within 28 days.

5.2 Petition regarding Barleymow Estate

Derrick Cutler and Aftab Uddin addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners and responded to questions from Members. Councillor Kabir Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Inclusive Development and Housebuilding responded to the matters raised in the petition. He acknowledged the difficulties faced by residents and the inadequate response of the previous administration. He explained that the delays related to a number of factors, but work should be completed by February 2024. The Council would be monitoring the situation to ensure this.

RESOLVED:

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

5.3 Petition regarding Antisocial Behaviour in and around Cambridge Heath Station

Ana Monzon, Anna Bosley and Chris Aria Tree addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners and responded to questions from Members. Councillor Ohid Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities responded to the matters raised in the petition. He stated that the current situation was a result of a lack of police presence in the street and a lack of investment from the previous administration. The petition had been raised with the local police. The Council under his administration had committed to significant investment in drug treatment, rehabilitation and recovery programs, and would work with police and partner organisations to tackle drug related crimes.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Health, Adults and Communities for a written response within 28 days.

5.4 Petition regarding Save our Safer Streets

Simon Ramsay, Jane Harris and Shaheena Parvin, addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners and responded to questions from Members. Councillor Kabir Hussain, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Emergency responded to the matters raised in the petition. He stated that the Council was putting a robust consultation process in place to listen to all views on this matter and forge a solution that would unify the community and not pit one group against another. He urged Members to support his motion in response to the petition. 

Following presentation of the petition Members held a debate on the issue. Two motions were tabled for consideration.

The First motion was Proposed by Councillor Asma Islam and seconded by  Councillor Sirajul Islam

This Council notes that:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

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 leaders of the opposition groups to respond for up to two minutes each should they so wish. Following those contributions, the Mayor may reply for up to two minutes.

Mayor Lutfur Rahman presented his verbal report to Council.

The Opposition Group Leader, Councillor Sirajul Islam then responded briefly to the Mayor’s report.

Mayor Rahman provided concluding remarks.

In tribute to the passing of Her Majesty the Queen, the Speaker invited political group representatives to offer thoughts and reflections on her reign. Councillors offered reflections on her dedication, her extraordinary length of service and shared personal memories of times they had the privilege to meet Her Late Majesty, reflecting on her warmth and grace. Each also offered best wishes to King Charles III for his reign.

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.

Under Procedure Rule 12.1 (g), Councillor Kabir Ahmed gave notice that he was withdrawing his original motion for debate.

Under Procedure Rule 12.1 (n) he requested that Procedure Rule 11.2 be waived to allow the submission of an urgent motion to take its place. This request was seconded by Councillor Harun Miah. The Speaker accepted the reasons for urgency and put the proposal to the vote and it was agreed.

Councillor Kabir Ahmed moved and Councillor Abu Choudhury seconded the urgent motion as printed in the tabled papers supplement.

This Council notes:

• The worrying developments in the UK’s economy and its impact on the housing market, and the threat this poses to freeholders, leaseholders and private and social renters alike.

• That several independent think-tanks and commentators have pointed to the potential ‘tipping point’ for those looking to both buy and sell on the property ladder, with others speculating that the market could be heading for ‘disaster’.

• That this is having a knock on effect for businesses – many of them Small and Medium Enterprises – who rely on a healthy and equitable market, including construction and utilities firms.

• That should the current downward and precarious trajectory of the market continue, a ‘perfect storm’ of a surge in borrowing costs and a concurrent slowdown in economic growth could trigger a complete market collapse, plunging millions into economic precarity during a heightening cost of living crisis.

This Council believes:

• That all levels of government – from national to local – should do everything in their power to proactively tackle this slump through innovation, investment and support for residents of all stripes.

• That now, more than ever, there needs to be an increase in the building of social housing to alleviate the pressures on the private rented sector, freehold and leasehold markets.

• That local authorities, where possible, should aim to maximise their social housebuilding programme, and protect as many as possible from the threats currently being witnessed.

• That in times of crisis, fiscal and developmental bravery, boldness and courage is required to ensure that residents are not sucked into the ‘perfect storm’ threatening the UK’s Housing Market.

This Council resolves:

• To continue to proactively seek opportunities to maximise social and affordable house building, to help ease the pressures of the housing market on those with low and medium incomes.

• To begin this process by producing and implementing a developmental Masterplan for the Spitalfields and Banglatown area, wherein the maximisation of social and affordable housing will be a priority.

• To follow this model to ensure that local communities around Tower Hamlets are included in these developments, and are able to remain in their areas, regardless of any external pressures resultant from housing crises, prospective or realised.

• That Officers should begin the development of a Masterplan for the Spitalfields and Banglatown area in cooperation and conjunction with the Council’s Executive.

• That an update on the progress of this development should be given at the next meeting of the Council’s Cabinet.

Councillor Asma Islam moved  ...  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 Sirajul Islam moved and Councillor Sabina Akhtar seconded the motion as set out on the agenda.

Councillor Abu Choudhury moved and Councillor Bodrul Choudhury seconded a proposed amendment to the motion as set out in the tabled papers supplement:

Additions underlined

Deletions struckthrough

This Council notes:

-          The devastating impact the huge energy bills increase has had on small businesses across the borough, where many are now concerned that they will have to close due to the unreasonable cost.

-          Small businesses are only recently recovering from the long term effects of the lockdowns due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

-          The loss of small businesses across our borough will have a very negative affect on the local economy and residents who are already struggling in the face of the Cost of Living Crisis.

This Council believes:

-          It is vital that innovative measures are immediately adopted – both at a Government level and at a Local Authority level - to support local businesses in the face of the Cost of Living Crisis, so local businesses, local jobs and local high streets are protected to benefit local residents.

-          That schemes such as the Mayor’s Energy Fund and Cost of Living package, that will benefit 7,000 households for the former and 27,000 residents for the latter, should be supported by all members of this Council and topped up as and when required.

This Council resolves to:

-          Request the Mayor

o   To exploreImmediately set up a Small Business Hardship Fund to help small businesses in the borough in these times of economic crisis a Business Rates rebate for small businesses with Central Government to help offset the huge increase in cost of energy bills.

o   Provide Business Rates relief to small businesses to help offset the huge increase in the cost of energy bills.

o   To continue providing support for small and medium enterprises, including the recently announced £28million dividend for Tower Hamlets’ SMEs in the Mayor’s Covid Additional Relief Fund, benefiting 850 businesses across the Borough.

o   Work with the local Chambers of Commerce, community groups and business networks to establish a plan going forward on how to protect local businesses.

Following debate, the amendment moved by Councillor Abu Choudhury was put to a vote and was agreed.

The motion as amended by Councillor Abu Choudhury was put to a vote and was agreed.

RESOLVED

This Council notes:

-          The devastating impact the huge energy bills increase has had on small businesses across the borough, where many are now concerned that they will have to close due to the unreasonable cost.

-          Small businesses are only recently recovering from the long term effects of the lockdowns due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

-          The loss of small businesses across our borough will have a very negative affect on the local economy and residents who are already struggling in the face of the Cost of Living Crisis.

This Council believes:

-          It is vital that innovative measures  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

Nil items.

Nil items.

The Council considered the report of the Corporate Director, Place.

Councillor Kabir Ahmed moved and Councillor Harun Miah seconded a motion not to adopt the neighbourhood plan as part of the development plan for the area as:

·         There was a high turnout amongst the business community and most respondents voted against the plan. The resident turnout, narrowly in favour, was far lower.

·         The Mayor and the. Aspire group had ambitions and a transformative vision for Spitalfields and Banglatown. This would recognise the historic and cultural significance of the area and would preserve and enrich these aspects. It would guard against gentrification and commercialisation, which presented an existential threat to many in Tower Hamlets.

During discussion, the Council heard views from members in support of the motion which included:

·         The proposed plan was exclusionary. The Plan’s designers had little regard for the cultural diversity of the area.

·         The plan would interfere with the normal Council processes for planning applications, which ensured all stakeholders in the affected area are consulted.

The Council heard views against the motion which included:

·         The result of the business vote should not be relied on as there were concerns regarding the legality of the business vote which were subject to investigation.

·         The Council should not go against the will of residents, as evidenced by the result of the residents’ vote, which was in favour of the plan.

Councillor Maium Talukdar moved a procedural motion “that under Procedure Rule 16.5. the names for and against the motion or abstaining from voting be taken down in writing and entered into the minutes. The motion was agreed.

The Mayor and Councillors recorded their votes on the motion as follows:-

RESOLVED

1.    To note the results of the Spitalfields Neighbourhood Plan referendums.

2.    To agree not to adopt the neighbourhood plan as part of the development plan for the area.

3.    To agree to set out the reasons for the above Recommendation 2 in a decision statement.

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 question and supplementary question was put and responded to by the relevant Cabinet Member.

11.1 Question from Councillor Bodrul Choudhury on the progress of an Independent Council-wide Investigation.

Following on from last Full Council, could the Lead Member update the chamber on progress with the independent Council-wide investigation? Can the Lead Member tell us who has been appointed and set out a timeline for delivery?

Response from Councillor Saied Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Resources and the Cost of Living

The Mayor was briefed by 16th of August as requested to outline delivery and provide assurance about improvement work. We are rapidly progressing reviews in the areas highlighted in the area of finance the council has commissioned worth technical accounting solutions to examine progress since the errors arose in 2018/2019 and highlight any gaps. Errors that arose in the supervision of the previous administration on the other side of this chamber. This administration take this very seriously. And a report is due to be shared with the officers in early October and will then be shared with Members. This follows the 2019 review when a finance improvement plan was implemented. On the youth justice service, a full diagnostic review has been commissioned to be carried out by two Youth Justice board approved and experienced improvement consultants to be completed February 2023.

Supplementary question from Councillor Bodrul Choudhury

Why were the accounts not audited for 6 years?

Councillor Saied Ahmed’s response to supplementary question

This Council has a comprehensive Improvement Program, which provides assurance through our performance management framework, audit and external inspection regime. This includes corporate and public reporting, including audit committee, and Overview and Scrutiny and a commitment to an LGA corporate peer review next year to continue to drive improvement across all our services. It is important that audit papers are signed off. Now we are picking up the mess that we were left behind by the previous administration. We are working extensively hard with KPMG and Deloitte to make sure the accounts are signed off from 2017 onwards. So we are at a stage whereby the upcoming Audit Committee, we may be in a position to sign off the first two years.

Questions 11.2 to 11.27 were not put due to lack of time (Note:  The written responses are included in Appendix ‘A’ to these minutes.)

No motions were considered due to lack of time.