Agenda, decisions and draft minutes
Venue: The Council Chamber, 1st Floor, Town Hall, Mulberry Place, 5 Clove Crescent, London, E14 2BG
Contact: John S Williams, Service Head, Democratic Services Tel: 020 7364 4204, E-mail: johns.williams@towerhamlets.gov.uk
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NOTE - AGENDA ORDER During the meeting the Council agreed to vary the order of business. To aid clarity, the Minutes are presented in the order that the items originally appeared on the agenda. Urgent motions, moved with the agreement of the Council, without notice, are listed at Item 15. The order the business was taken at the meeting was as follows:
After opening the meeting the Speaker invited the Council to observe a minute’s silence in memory of the innocent men, women and children who had been killed by hate in a number of continuing conflicts around the world.
The minute’s silence was followed by two urgent motions (15.1 and 15.2 on the situation in Gaza). The agenda was then taken in the order listed on the agenda (Items 1 to 14).
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE To receive any apologies for absence. Additional documents: Minutes: Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Harun Miah.
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DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTERESTS PDF 56 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.
Additional documents: Minutes: No declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests were made.
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To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the Annual Council Meeting held on Wednesday 11 June 2014.
Additional documents: Minutes: RESOLVED
That the unrestricted minutes of the Annual Council meeting held on 11 June 2014 be confirmed as a correct record and the Speaker be authorised to sign them accordingly.
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TO RECEIVE ANNOUNCEMENTS (IF ANY) FROM THE SPEAKER OF THE COUNCIL Including the results of the Council’s recent Investors in People (IiP) assessment and presentation of the IiP Silver Award. Additional documents: Minutes: Investors in People (IiP) Silver Award
The Speaker was proud to inform Members that the Council had been awarded the Investors in People Silver Award. At the Speaker’s invitation the Acting Corporate Director of Resources introduced Shelna Sinite and Marie O’Sullivan of Grant Thornton (sponsors of IiP) and Matthew Filbee (IiP Assessor). Ms Sinite addressed the meeting and presented the IiP Silver Award to the Mayor.
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TO RECEIVE PETITIONS PDF 55 KB The Council Procedure Rules provide for a maximum of three petitions to be presented at an Ordinary Meeting of the Council.
The deadline for receipt of petitions for this Council meeting is noon on Thursday 24 July 2014. However at the time of agenda despatch, the maximum number of petitions has already been received as set out in the attached report.
Additional documents: Minutes: 5.1 Petition regarding Saturation Zone Policy in the Brick Lane area
Mr Jon Shapiro addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners and responded to questions from Members. Councillor Ohid Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, then responded to the matters raised in the petition. He reported that many residents had complained about issues in this area and that, whilst the night time economy was important, good controls were required. He was confident the new Licensing Committee were aware of the policy but he was happy to consider training if that proved necessary.
RESOLVED
That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Communities Localities and Culture, for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
5.2 Petition regarding Tenants’ Rights
The petitioners addressed the meeting and responded to questions from Members. Councillor Rabina Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing and Development, then responded to the matters raised in the petition. She highlighted the work the Council undertook to support residents in line with their manifesto commitment to protect the vulnerable. As an example she reported that the Council had not evicted anyone due to the Bedroom Tax.
RESOLVED
That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal, for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
Procedural Motion
Councillor Rabina Khan then moved, and Councillor Ohid Ahmed seconded, a procedural motion “that under Procedure Rule 14.1.3 the order of business be varied such that Motion 12.10 “Motion Calling on Landlords to Engage with Tenants” be taken as the next item of business. The motion was put to the vote and was defeated.
5.3 Petition regarding protection of Lincoln Estate and surrounding residents and traders from violence and abuse
Ms Syeda Choudhury addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners and responded to questions from Members. Councillor Ohid Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, then responded to the matters raised in the petition. He reported that he visited the site of the recent incident and that he was working with the police, partners and Ward Councillors on the concerns raised. He highlighted actions that had been taken including the issuing of ten anti-social behaviour orders to the courts and the additional police and enforcement officer patrols now taking place.
RESOLVED
That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Communities Localities, and Culture, for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
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TO RECEIVE WRITTEN QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC PDF 54 KB The questions which have been received from members of the public for this Council meeting are set out in the attached report. A maximum period of 20 minutes is allocated to this agenda item.
Additional documents: Minutes: The following questions and in each case (except where indicated) a supplementary question were put and were responded to by the relevant Executive Member:-
6.1 Question from Mr Muhammad Haque:
What motivated candidates at 22 May 2014 to seek election to Tower Hamlets and what are the ethical, democratic, accountable actions that current councillors on Tower Hamlets Council are more content about and what actions they are not content about and what are the councillors doing to make all their actions accountable, ethical, transparent and relevant to and representative of the daily lives, needs, expectations of ordinary people of ALL BACKGROUNDS in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets?
Response by Councillor Oliur Rahman, Deputy Mayor
Thank you Mr Haque. Before I move to my answer, may I take a couple of seconds to say a few words? I have seen you actually when I was growing up, living in Brick Lane, the work that you have done for the community and on behalf of the community, some of the campaigns that you have led, and I’m very pleased even now that you are still determined to do just for the residents of Tower Hamlets and I am sure that you have certainly motivated many young generations in the past and I’m sure you will motivate many young generations in the future with your work and the commitment that you show for the communities in Tower Hamlets, regardless of their race, religion or whatever background that they come from. So I want to pay my gratitude and thanks to you for the work that you do.
Can I now move to your question and answer as best as I can, obviously within the time limit. I can’t speak for everyone here but I am confident their motivations for being a councillor are the same as mine and Mayor Lutfur Rahman’s - we want to make Tower Hamlets a better place to live and work and we want to ensure residents from all backgrounds have the strongest voice and representation in this council and outside.
Supplementary question from Mr Haque
I would exchange the sense of mutual recognition for the selfless work that people have been doing in the community, whether they are listed or not. Most of the proceedings in this kind of situation are limited to time and procedures so the spirit should be to extend our support to the whole community and that is where I would leave this for the future and the coming years for the Council.
Councillor Oliur Rahman’s response to the supplementary question
Mr Haque, I fully agree with you and I am hoping also that the public will hold their councillors to account for the work they do and the reasons they get elected, and also to demonstrate that in this Council you saw that we were presented with an award for the work that the Council does and I want to make this very clear – this does not happen by accident, it ... view the full minutes text for item 6. |
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MAYOR'S REPORT The Council’s Constitution provides for the Elected Mayor to give a report at each Ordinary Council Meeting.
A maximum of five minutes is allowed for the Elected Mayor’s report, following which the Speaker of the Council will invite the respective political group leaders to respond for up to one minute each if they wish.
Additional documents: Minutes: The Mayor made his report to the Council meeting, extending a welcome to all present. During his report he echoed the Speaker’s welcome to the three newly elected Councillors for Blackwall and Cubitt Town Ward.
When the Mayor had completed his report, at the invitation of the Speaker the Leaders of the other political groups each then responded briefly to the Mayor’s report.
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TO RECEIVE WRITTEN QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL PDF 68 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.
Additional documents: Minutes: The following questions and in each case (except where indicated) a supplementary question were put and were responded to by the relevant Member:-
8.1 Question from Councillor John Pierce
Why has the Mayor of Tower Hamlets not continued funding for the ASB dog patrols in Weavers Ward after the successful pilot which led to a reduction of unwelcome guests in blocks heavily affected by anti-social behaviour?
Response by Councillor Ohid Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Community Safety
Councillor Pierce, I would like to know where did you get this information that we are stopping this funding? The funding has not been discontinued. I can assure you that there will be twelve ASB dog patrols over the next two weeks, two of which are to be in your ward.
Also you need to understand we had a successful pilot in your ward. When we do something right, I think that Councillor Peck should praise us rather than when we did a pilot project in my ward he just criticised that my street is cleaner than his street. We are doing something. In my ward – put the right word. When we do the right thing you should praise us because we put a pilot project in Weavers ward because there is a need for it in Weavers and this is going to continue, I assure you of that.
Supplementary question from Councillor John Pierce
Well it’s nice to hear that there will be two extra patrols but actually, as we discussed earlier tonight, the high levels of anti-social behaviour in the Brick Lane and Shoreditch Fringe mean that actually you will need a lot more patrols than the two that are going to happen to deal with this issue and I would like to see the funding that was initially given for the pilot to continue, particularly in Weavers ward and extra funding, which we would have delivered, to ensure that the programme is rolled out across the borough, because I have to say it has been massively successful. Put your money into this scheme because residents deserve this kind of action.
Councillor Ohid Ahmed’s response to the supplementary question
Thank you very much. Yes, I totally agree with your last part but also I want people, particularly the councilors, to understand the policy. The policy basically is to drive away this kind of problem. 20% of the anti-social behavior derives in Brick Lane and the surrounding area, and unfortunately your ward is very near to Brick Lane. And people who sit on the Licensing Committee, I keep saying they need to follow the policy and they need to vote on the merits of the application rather than just party politics.
8.2 Question from Councillor Mufti Miah
Tower Hamlets has been named by the department for education among the top 10 boroughs in the country for the proportion of students who go to university. Will the Mayor join me in congratulating our young people for their remarkable achievement?
Response by Councillor ... view the full minutes text for item 8. |
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REPORTS FROM THE EXECUTIVE AND THE COUNCIL'S COMMITTEES There is no business to transact under this agenda item. Additional documents: Minutes: There was no business to transact under this agenda item.
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TO RECEIVE REPORTS AND QUESTIONS ON JOINT ARRANGEMENTS/EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS (if any) There is no business to transact under this agenda item. Additional documents: Minutes: There was no business to transact under this agenda item.
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OTHER BUSINESS Additional documents: |
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Appointment of a Co-opted Member to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee PDF 65 KB To appoint a Co-opted Member representing the Muslim community to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The report of the Service Head, Democratic Services is attached. Additional documents: Minutes: The Council considered the report of the Service Head, Democratic Services on the appointment of a co-opted member to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
Councillor Joshua Peck moved, and Councillor Sirajul Islam seconded a tabled amendment to the recommendations in the report. Following debate, the amendment was put to the vote and was agreed. The recommendations as amended were then duly approved. Accordingly it was:-
RESOLVED
1. That the Council approve the appointment of Mr Shaynul Khan as a non-voting co-opted member of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee representing the Muslim Community in the borough, for the remainder of the administration (until May 2018), subject to confirmation of the acceptability of the appointment by the Tower Hamlets Council of Mosques.
2. That in future the principal consultation when filling this post will be the Tower Hamlets Council of Mosques.
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Review of proportionality and allocation of places on committees PDF 70 KB To review proportionality and the allocation of places on the committees and panels of the Council, following the election of councillors on 3rd July 2014 to represent Blackwall and Cubitt Town Ward. The report of the Service Head, Democratic Services is attached.
Additional documents: Minutes: The Council considered the report of the Service Head, Democratic Services on the allocation of places on Committees and other bodies covered by the proportionality requirements in Local Government and Housing Act 1989 following the delayed election in Blackwall and Cubitt Town Ward held on 3 July 2014.
Councillor Rachael Saunders moved, and Councillor Khales Ahmed seconded a tabled amendment. The amendment replaced the table on page 31 of the report with that set out below, the figures in brackets being the only changes from the original report to Council:
At the request of a number of Members the Speaker agreed that the meeting would adjourn briefly to allow Members to consider the tabled amendment.
The meeting adjourned at 9.51 p.m.
The meeting reconvened at 10.04 p.m.
The Interim Monitoring Officer advised the meeting that the tabled amendment was in order and could lawfully be considered by the Council. Following debate the amendment moved by Councillor Rachael Saunders was put to the vote and was agreed.
Councilllor Oliur Rahman the moved, and Councillor Alibor Choudhury seconded a further tabled amendment as follows:-
“That overall seats are increased by 1 from 91 to 92.
This will enable a tweaking of the number of seats on the few committees in which Labour’s proposal wishes to adjust but in a way that ensures proportionality overall and proportionality in the committees.
The amendments are:
Increase Strategic Development Committee seats by 1 – THF seats increase by 1 to 3.
Increase HR Committee seats by 1 – THF seats increase by 1 to 3
Decrease Licensing Committee seats by 1 – THF seats decrease by 1 to 6
Labour as required by proportionality will continue to have the majority on all committees.”
The Interim Monitoring Officer advised the meeting that the tabled amendment was in order and could lawfully be considered by the Council. Following debate the amendment moved by Councillor Oliur Rahman was put to the vote and was defeated.
The recommendations, as amended, were then put to the vote and were agreed. Accordingly it was:-
RESOLVED
1. That the review of proportionality be noted and the Council approve the above amended table showing the allocation of seats on committees and panels established for the remainder of the Municipal Year 2014/15.
2. That Members and deputies be appointed to serve on committees and panels in accordance with nominations from the ... view the full minutes text for item 11.2 |
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TO CONSIDER MOTIONS SUBMITTED BY MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL PDF 128 KB The motions submitted by Councillors for debate at this meeting are set out in the attached report.
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Motion regarding Space for Cycling Campaign Additional documents: Minutes: Councillor Rachel Blake moved, and Councillor Amy Whitelock-Gibbs seconded the motion as printed on the agenda.
Procedural Motion
During debate, Councillor Rachael Saunders moved and Councillor Shiria Khatun seconded a procedural motion that under Procedure Rule 14.1.16 Councillor Alibor Choudhury be not heard further due to his conduct at the meeting. The procedural motion was put to the vote and was agreed. Accordingly it was:-
RESOLVED
That Councillor Alibor Choudhury be not heard further.
Following debate, the motion regarding Space for Cycling Campaign was put to the vote and was agreed. Accordingly it was:-
RESOLVED
This Council notes:
o Bethnal Green: Protected Space for cycling on Mile End Road o Weavers: Make Columbia Road Market a Liveable Town centre with cycle and pedestrian access to, and through the area o Spitalfields: Allow two way cycling on Brick Lane o St Peter’s: Protected space for cycling on Cambridge Heath road with a safe junction at Bethnal Green o Bow West: Protected Space for cycling on Bow Road o Bow East: Remove through traffic from Tredegar Road and the surrounding area o Whitechapel: Remove through motor traffic from Vallance Road, New Road and Cannon Street Road o Stepney Green: Safe cycle access to Sir John Cass Redcoat School and Stepney City Farm o St Dunstans: Safe cycle access to schools around Ben Jonson Road o Shadwell: Protected Space for Cycling on Cable Street o St Katherine’s and Wapping: Allow 24-hour access on the Greenway through King Edwards Park o Limehouse: Protected Space for cycling on Horseferry Road (E14) o Mile End: Protected space for cycling on Burdett Road o Bromley North: Protected Space for cycling at Bow Roundabout o Bromley South: Install protected space for cyclists along both Devons Road and Devas Street o Lansbury: Safe and convenient route from all of Lansbury ward to Lea River Park o Poplar: Provide a safe, inviting and clear route for Cycle superhighway S3 in Bromley South centre o Canary Wharf: Reinstall the riverside path at West Ferry Circus and create a cycle crossing across South Dock. o Blackwall and Cubitt Town: Protected Space for cycling on Manchester Road and Preston's Road o Island Gardens: Protected Space for cycling on Manchester Road and Preston's Road
This Council believes:
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EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC In view of the content of the remaining items on the agenda, the Council is recommended to adopt the following motion:
“That, under the provisions of Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended, the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting on the grounds that the business to be transacted contains information defined as Exempt in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.”
EXEMPT/CONFIDENTIAL SECTION (PINK)
The Exempt/Confidential (pink) papers for consideration at the meeting will contain information which is commercially, legally or personally sensitive and should not be divulged to third parties. If you do not wish to retain these papers after the meeting please hand them to the Committee Officer present.
Additional documents: Minutes: RESOLVED
That, under the provisions of Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended, the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting on the grounds that the business to be transacted contains information defined as Exempt in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.
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HEAD OF PAID SERVICE To consider a report of the Service Head, Human Resources and Workforce Development on the Head of Paid Service post.
Additional documents: Minutes: The report of the Service Head, Human Resources and Workforce Development regarding the statutory position of Head of Paid Service was considered by the meeting. The Council agreed the reasons for urgency as set out in the report.
Following debate the Council agreed one of the options set out in the report.
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URGENT MOTIONS Additional documents: Minutes: [Note: The Urgent Motions were debated in Part One of the meeting (public session)].
The Council agreed to suspend Procedure Rule 13.1 to enable the following urgent motions to be debated without notice:-
15.1 Motion on violence in Gaza
Councillor Shiria Khatun moved, and Councillor Rachael Saunders seconded the motion as tabled.
During debate an amendment was moved that was accepted by Councillors Khatun and Saunders, who altered their motion accordingly. The revised motion was put to the vote and was agreed.
RESOLVED
This Council notes:
This Council believes:
This Council resolves:
15.2 Motion on the situation in Gaza
Councillor Oliur Rahman moved, and Councillor Maium Miah seconded the motion as tabled.
The motion was put to vote and was agreed.
RESOLVED
This meeting notes:
This meeting agrees:
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