During the meeting, Members agreed to change the order of business. To aid clarity the minutes are presented in the order items appear on the agenda. At the meeting Agenda Item 12.1 (Cross Party Motion on Ethnic Pay Gap) was taken after Agenda Item 9.1 (Report of the Standards Advisory Committee: Annual Report of the Standards Advisory Committee 2023-24). Agenda Item 9.2 (Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Scrutiny Annual Report 2023-24) followed thereafter.

Council also agreed to extend the meeting by 10 minutes between Item 9.3 and 10.1. The motion was moved by the Speaker, Councillor Saif Uddin Khaled and seconded by Councillor Maium Talukdar.

The Speaker of the Council provided his update to the Council. He noted he hosted the German Navy at the Town Hall and said it was fascinating to speak to naval officers and show then around the award-winning Town Hall building.

He had also attended the Kamalgonj Premier League, hosted at Victoria Park for their annual cricket tournament.  Other highlights included:

·       Attending the Merchant Navy Memorial Day Service;

·       Welcoming other Mayors and Mayoress to London Borough of Tower Hamlets and enjoying an afternoon tea;

·       Welcoming new citizens to the brough at Citizenship ceremonies; and

·       Supporting his local charity – the Osmani Trust.

Finally, the Speaker congratulated Councillor Abdi Mohamed for this recent election for Bow East ward.

Apologies for absence were received from Steve Halsey, Chief Executive. Julie Lorraine, Deputy Chief Executive was substituting for him.

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.

There were no declarations of pecuniary interests declared by members.

To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 17^th July 2024.

The Council RESOLVED to:

1.    Agree the minutes of the Ordinary meeting of the Council of 17^th July 2024 and approve them as a correct record of the proceedings. The Speaker was authorised to sign the minutes accordingly.

Julie Lorriane, Deputy Chief Executive provided an update to the Council meeting, highlighting the following issues:

·       Launch of the EMA/University Bursaries. Ms Lorraine said this had been successfully launched on the 7^th October 2024.  

·       The Youth Achievement Award applications. Ms Lorraine said award applications were now open and encouraged members to nominate potential nominees.

·       Black History Month. Ms Lorraine said this commenced on the 8^th October, with a range of internal and external activities celebrating black history. She said it included the Roots and Rhythms event at the Town Hall on the 5^th October.

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 requesting the Council to save the Attlee Centre.

Tania Shaikh, Martin Young and Fatima Khanon presented their petition relating to the saving of the Attlee Centre. Ms Shaikh said the Attlee Centre was a cornerstone of the community and provided vital services and support to children, young people and families since 1982. She said without a lease, which they had tried to renew with the Council, they were unable to secure funding to continue with the services it provides, with free access to all.

Ms Shaikh said the Centre had written to the Council and the Mayor asking for the lease to be renewed and said they were seeking a resolution to their dilemma.

Members asked questions of the petitioners.

Councillor Saied Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Resources and Cost-of-Living responded to matters raised in the petition. He said the lease expired on the 14^th May 2026, and a decision relating to the Atlee Centre would be made in advance of this date.

The Council RESOLVED to:

1. That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director for Housing and Regeneration for a written response within 28 days.

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 report to the Council.

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

Mayor Rahman provided concluding remarks.

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.

MOTION ON WINTER FUEL PAYMENTS REDRESS

Council considered a motion as printed in the agenda on the Winter Fuel Payments Redress that had been moved by Councillor Saied Ahmed and seconded by Councillor Abu Talha Chowdhury.

Council also considered an amendment proposed by Councillor Marc Francis and seconded by Councillor Amina Ali as per the tabled papers as follows:

Amendment Proposed by Councillor Marc Francis and seconded by Councillor Amina Ali.

Additions Underlined

Deletions Struck through

Council notes:

• The difficult position that many residents – especially pensioners – find themselves in when paying bills around wintertime.  

• That many residents in Tower Hamlets could have to make the choice between eating and heating this winter. 

• That the Council continues to do all it can to support residents through the ongoing cost of living crisis.  

• That through schemes such as the Warm Hubs and Warm Packs, pensioners will be able to go somewhere warm for a hot drink and receive hats, gloves, socks, hot water bottles and other amenities to help keep them warm and save money on their bills.

• The last Labour Government introduced the Winter Fuel Payment in 1999 in recognition that many older people were struggling with the costs of their gas and electric bills;

• By 2005, the sum paid was set at £300 for over-80s and £200 for those pensioners under-80 and that this figure has not increased for nearly 20 years;

Council believes:

• The new Government has inherited a dire economic situation, which will require it to make difficult decisions;

• That while these measures and the forthcoming investment into universal free homecare in February will go some way to alleviating these pressures, a cold winter could see vulnerable, elderly residents choosing between heating and eating. 

• That around 9,000 pension-age residents who would have been eligible for a winter fuel payment will now not be receiving one. 

• That there are also 4,304 residents who are eligible for pension credit who appear to not be claiming.  

• That no pensioner or household should have to choose between eating and heating. 

• That the Council must therefore provide support for elderly and vulnerable residents in the months to come, to offset any financial strain that will impact those already among the 40% currently living in fuel poverty in Tower Hamlets.  

Council resolves:

• To request the creation a Mayor’s Winter Emergency Fund, to provide those pensioners without pension credit but struggling to make ends meet with financial support with their bills.

• To call on the Executive Mayor to instruct officers to establish a local ‘Tower Hamlets Winter Fuel Payment’ scheme offering sums of £300 to those over-80 and £200 to those under-80, who are not in receipt of Pension Credit and write to local pensioners inviting them to apply;

• To provide pensioners in a precarious financial position with a payment towards their winter fuel bills. This would see residents of pension age but ineligible for the scrapped Winter Fuel Allowance payments receive a payment. 

• To launch this scheme at the earliest available  ...  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.

MOTION FOR DEBATE TO SCRAP THE REVISED HOMLESSNESS ACCOMMODATION PLACEMENT POLICY

Council considered a motion as printed in the agenda to scrap the revised Homelessness Accommodation Placement policy that had been moved by Councillor Asma Islam and seconded by Councillor Sirajul Islam.

Council also considered an amendment proposed by Councillor Kabir Ahmed and seconded by Councillor Musthak Ahmed as set out in the tabled papers as follows:

Amendment Proposed by Councillor Kabir Ahmed and seconded by Councillor Musthak Ahmed

Additions Underlined

Deletions Struck through

This council notes:

• In July, the Mayor and Cabinet adopted a revised 'Homelessness Accommodation Placement Policy.'

• The revised policy removed the 90-minute journey time limit, allowing the council to place families and individuals experiencing homelessness in temporary accommodation beyond the Home Counties.
• For the record, following feedback from residents – through the Mayor’s surgeries; member enquiries; and face to face meetings – at the 11^th September Cabinet meeting, the Mayor clearly stated that the decision was not being implemented until there had been a further review and this has the effect of retaining the 90 minute cap for the present time.
• This decision contradicted the 90-minute journey time limit established by the Supreme Court in the Westminster test case, which determined that families should not be placed in accommodation further than 90 minutes from their home. This policy was not implemented following the Council’s Cabinet meeting on 11^th September.
• Under the policy, those in their final year of GCSEs or A-Levels are to be placed in temporary accommodation within the borough.
• Children in other school year groups can be placed anywhere within London.
• Families with very young children, who are not yet of school age, may be placed in temporary accommodation anywhere in the Home Counties. This policy was not implemented at the Council’s Cabinet meeting on 11^th September. It should be noted that within the paused policy there was a detailed set of criteria that made placement in Zones C and D a last resort, meaning that this group would have been protected. In any event, no family will be placed more than 90 minutes outside of Tower Hamlets, as the Council has not implemented the decision to remove the 90 minute cap at the last Cabinet meeting on 11^th September.
• People with health needs, including mental health concerns, should be rehoused in temporary accommodation (TA) either within or close to the borough, to ensure they can access necessary support services.
• There has been a rise in Section 21 (no-fault) evictions over the past two years, leading to an increased number of residents declaring themselves homeless to the council.
• Placing working residents in temporary accommodation in distant areas, such as Zones C and D, risks forcing them to leave their jobs, further contributing to poverty among affected families. However, this proposed amendment to the existing policy was not implemented at the Council’s Cabinet meeting on the 11^th September, meaning no working resident is being placed more than 90 minutes  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To consider the report of the Standards Advisory Committee setting out their Annual Report to Council 2023-24.

Council considered the report of the Standard’s Advisory Committee setting out its annual report. Mr John Pulford, Independent Chair of the Standard’s Advisory Committee introduced the report. Councillor Abdal Ullah moved the report, which was seconded by Councillor Maium Talukdar.

Members of the Council thanked Mr Pulford for his report and said the Committee played a pivotal role in ensuring members met the standards set and fulfilled their public role.

Council RESOLVED to AGREE and NOTE:

1. The Standards Advisory Committee Annual Report for 2023-24.

To consider the report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee setting out their Annual Report to Council 2023-24.

Council considered the report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee setting out its annual Report. Councillor Jahed Choudhury moved the report which was seconded by Councillor Kabir Ahmed.

Councillor Choudhury highlighted the achievements of the Committee and members commented on this.

Council RESOLVED to AGREE and NOTE:

1. The Overview and Scrutiny Committee Annual Report for 2023-24.

To consider the report of Cabinet on time banded waste collection services and related matters.

Councillor Shafi Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Environment and the Climate Emergency moved the report on Time Banded Collections (Waste Services) and Councillor Kabir Ahmed seconded the report.

Councillor Ahmed said Cabinet had considered the report on the 11^th September 2024 and he was asking Council to approve the recommendations within the report. Members added their comments.

Council RESOLVED to AGREE and NOTE the recommendations within the Cabinet report of 11^th September 2024.

The Council is recommended to agree:

1. Approve the introduction of Tower Hamlets Waste Regulations 2024 under section 20 and 22 of the London Local Authorities Act 2007. These are Household Waste Regulations 2024 (Appendix A of the report) and Commercial Waste Regulations 2024 (Appendix B of the report).

2. Approve the introduction of time bands for the collection of domestic and commercial waste on selected high streets, town centres, and main commercial areas in the borough. The list of streets are listed in Appendix C of the report and the proposed time bands are detailed in the Household and Commercial Waste Regulations 2024.

3. Set Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) amounts for the enforcement of non-compliance with time bands by residents by issuance of FPN under s.46A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, amended by s.58 of the Deregulation Act 2015. Proposed full amount of £80 payable within 28 days with a discounted rate of £50 if paid within 14 days of issue.

4.    Delegate powers to the Corporate Director of Communities (or equivalent) to make any amendments to the Tower Hamlets Waste Regulations 2024 in consultation with the Mayor. Including the authority to revoke, expand and adjust the timing of the time bands and the streets to which the Regulations apply. Any amendments, revocation etc will be in line with any of the requirements in section 20 and 22 of the London Local Authorities Act 2007.

To consider the report of the Interim Director of Legal and Monitoring Officer with new committee proportionality calculations.

An update to the report and recommended allocation of seats on committees was tabled.

Councillor Maium Talukdar, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Education, Youth and Lifelong Learning moved and  Councillor Bodrul Choudhury seconded the recommendations as amended by the tabled report.

Members of the Council commented on the report.

Council RESOLVED:

1.    To note the review of proportionality as at Section 3 of the report as amended and agree the allocation of seats for the remained of the Municipal Year 2024/25 as set out in the tabled update to the report.

2.    To note the Committees set out for Municipal Year 2024/25 listed in paragraph 3.6 of the report as agreed at the Annual Council meeting held on Wednesday 15 May 2024.

3.    To agree that the Monitoring Officer is delegated to approve the appointment of Councillors required to fill positions during the municipal year in line with the proportionality arrangements set out in this report on the nomination fo the respective group leaders.

4.    To agree that the Monitoring Officer be delegated to approve the appointment of ungrouped Councillors to any places not allocated by the Council to a political groups, after consultation with those Councillors and the Speaker of the Council where there is only one application for the position (where there is more than one application these will be presented to Council for decision).

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.

Due to the lack of time, no questions from members were considered. A written response to the questions put forward is appended at Appendix A.

Due to the lack of time, only Motion 12.1, which was moved up the running order and taken after item 9.1, was considered by Council.

12.1 CROSS PARTY MOTION ON ETHNIC PAY GAP

Council considered a motion as printed in the agenda on the Ethnic Pay Gap that had been moved by Councillor Abdi Mohamed and seconded by Councillor Kabir Ahmed.

Following debate, the motion moved by Councillor Abdi Mohamed was put to the vote and was unanimously agreed.

Council RESOLVED to:

Research from across civil society, including the GMB union shows that there is an Ethnicity Pay Gap, between Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic worker and non-Black Asian and Minority Ethnic workers who are otherwise equal in educational attainment. This is not only reflected in the pay of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic workers, but this disparity is also apparent in the promotion of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic workers in the workplace.

This council notes that:

• One in six Bangladeshi residents across England and Wales live in Tower Hamlets. Locally, the Bangladeshi population remains by far the largest in the country in both proportionate (34.6%) and numerical (107,333) terms.

• Other significant ethnic groups include White British (22.9%), White Other (14.6%), Black African (5%), Chinese (3.3%) and Somali or Somalilander (2%)

• GMB Race, the union’s self-organised groups in London, sent out a survey to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic London workers to collect information about their Pay, Terms and Conditions. GMB Race’s survey results, while disappointing, unsurprisingly show the fact that only half of respondents thought they received equal treatment and access to bonuses, overtime, pension, and other plus payments compared to non-BAME staff.

• The TUC’s own research shows that the Ethnicity Pay Gap for minority workers has shown that students who entered the workplace after GCSE are paid 11% less than their white counterparts. Whilst those who attained degrees, the pay gap more than doubled to 23%. The race pay gap impacts the standard of living of those affected and also worsens for people who have aspired and succeeded in further education.

• The Resolution Foundation has shown that Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic workers lose out on £3.2bn a year in wages compared to white workers. It found Pakistani and Bangladeshi male graduates earned an average £2.67 an hour (12%) less, while among female graduates, black women faced the biggest pay penalty, of £1.62 an hour (9%).

• Within Tower Hamlets only 33.1% of the borough’s top 5% of earners are BAME.

• The general reporting of the pay gap is poor and recent figures show so far only 3% of employers with over 250 employees are voluntarily reporting their ethnicity pay gap.

• The Government has acknowledged this weakness and that Ethnicity Pay Gap reporting should be mandatory. However, this has not happened.

• The Women’s and Equalities Committee’s (WESC) report Ethnicity Pay Gap in February 2022 recommended that the Government should introduce mandatory ethnicity pay gap reporting by April 2023. This should be for all organisations that currently report  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.