Agenda, decisions and 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
Media
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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:
· Item 1 – Apologies for absence · Item 2 – Declarations of Disclosable pecuniary interests · Item 3 – Minutes (including item 14 – Exempt Minutes) · Item 4 – Announcements · Item 5 – Petitions · Item 12.5 – Motion regarding Vic Johnson House · Item 6 – Public Questions · Item 7 – Mayor’s Report · Item 12.8 – Motion regarding Chief Executive recruitment · Item 15.1 – Urgent Motion regarding the judicial review of the Best Value inspection · Item 8 – Members’ Questions · Item 11.1 – 2013-14 Treasury Management Outturn Report · Item 12.1 – Motion regarding primary school performance · Item 12.2 – Motion regarding the Council’s budget
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE To receive any apologies for absence. Additional documents: Minutes: There were no apologies for absence.
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DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTERESTS PDF 64 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: Councillor Helal Uddin declared a pecuniary interest in Agenda Item 12.5 ‘Motion regarding Vic Johnson House – proposed redevelopment of sheltered housing’ as his wife worked for the housing association and so he would not take part in the discussion and would leave the chamber for the duration of that item.
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To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Council held on 30th July 2014. The draft minutes are attached. Additional documents: Minutes: RESOLVED
That the unrestricted and exempt/confidential minutes of the Council meeting held on 30 July 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 Additional documents: Minutes: There were no announcements.
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TO RECEIVE PETITIONS PDF 61 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 4th September. 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 for Road Hump in Carr Street, E14
The petitioners were not present and so the petition was not heard.
5.2 Petition to stop the building of a new school in the Burdett Estate
Mr Junayd Miah addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners 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 expressed concern with the plans and the level of consultation to date and recommended that, should a planning application be submitted, the petitioners should ensure their concerns were presented to the Development Committee that would consider them.
RESOLVED
That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Education, Social Care and Wellbeing, for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
5.3 Petition regarding Vic Johnson House
Mr Marcus Cook addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners and responded to questions from Members. Councillor Rabina Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing and Development responded to the matters raised in the petition. She welcomed the petition and stated that she and officers had already expressed their disappointment to Gateway Housing that they had not met the expected standards. She stated that they would work to try and ensure these plans did not go ahead.
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 Marc Francis then moved and Councillor Rachael Saunders seconded, a procedural motion “that under Procedure Rule 14.1.3 the order of business be varied such that Motion 12.5 “Motion regarding Vic Johnson House – proposed redevelopment of sheltered housing” be taken as the next item of business. The motion was put to the vote and was agreed. |
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TO RECEIVE WRITTEN QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC PDF 50 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 Michael James:
How will this council deal with unjust private landlords and protect victimised tenants from eviction?
Response by Councillor Rabina Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing and Development
Thank you and my sympathies to you and your courage in notifying environmental health officers and as you know now we have a schedule of work in place and we have served notice to the landlord to ensure those works take place.
But actually your question is a far reaching question in asking how we protect the private rented sector.
It is very important and deals with the private rented sector not just in Tower Hamlets but it has an impact on the rest of London and the country. The Mayor made a promise to deliver the Landlords Registration Scheme. Now the issue of tenants being victimized in the private rented sector is an important one because when Thatcher introduced right to buy she also abolished the rights of tenants. They were abolished on 15 January 1989 as part of the Rent Act. Whilst regulated tenancies offer some protection there are fewer rights for private rented sector tenants.
In April 2014 Cabinet agreed the Fairness Commission recommendations. Recommendation 16 of the commission clearly sets out that we must improve the private rented sector and tenants must be better protected from a landlord licensing scheme in Tower Hamlets.
A licensing scheme would enable the council to apply legal requirements in designated areas requiring landlords to register, apply for a license for each property they rent out and comply with the specific conditions.
Last week Cabinet agreed the consultation process to begin for the first stage of developing this Landlord Registration Scheme.
As part of the consultation we have a duty to consult with private rented sector landlords, tenants and other interested parties who have a say in this.
Regardless of how unfair this must be to you it is a national crisis as well and the most important thing in the future for any political party to campaign on this is for changes in the current legislation to ensure that tenants are protected far more.
Supplementary question from Mr James
Regarding the Council’s new scheme we call upon the Mayor to contact landlords directly this winter who are evicting tenants unjustly to warn them.
Councillor Rabina Khan’s response to the supplementary question
Your comments are very important and I will ensure that as part of the consultation that is done.
6.2 Question from Mr Glyn Robbins:
Can Councillor Khan please confirm if the Council will be represented at 'Le marché international des professionnels de l’immobilier' - the MIPIM conference - to be held at London Olympia, 15 - 17 October 2014?
Response by Councillor Rabina Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing and Development
Thank you for your question. For people who do not ... 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 warm welcome to all present.
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.
Procedural Motions
At the conclusion of her response to the Mayor’s report, Councillor Rachael Saunders moved, and Councillor Shiria Khatun seconded a procedural motion “that under Procedure Rule 14.1.3 the order of business be varied such that Motion 12.8 “Motion regarding Chief Executive recruitment” be taken as the next item of business. The motion was put to the vote and was agreed.
At the conclusion of his response to the Mayor’s report, Councillor Peter Golds, moved, and Councillor Craig Aston seconded, a procedural motion “that under Procedure Rule 14.1.5, Rule 13.1 be suspended to enable an urgent motion regarding Tower Hamlets Council’s judicial review on the Best Value Inspection to be considered”. The procedural motion was put to the vote and was agreed.
Under Procedure Rule 17.6, the following Councillors requested that their votes against the procedural motion moved by Councillor Golds be recorded:
Councillor Ohid Ahmed Councillor Suluk Ahmed Councillor Mahbub Alam Councillor Shah Alam Councillor Shahed Ali Councillor Abdul Asad Councillor Alibor Choudhury Councillor Gulam Kibria Choudhury Councillor Shafiqul Haque Councillor Aminur Khan Councillor Rabina Khan Councillor Abjol Miah Councillor Harun Miah Councillor Md Maium Miah Councillor Mohammed Mufti Miah Councillor Muhammad Ansar Mustaquim Councillor Oliur Rahman Councillor Gulam Robbani
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TO RECEIVE WRITTEN QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL PDF 75 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 Executive Member:-
8.1 Question from Councillor Danny Hassell
Given the issues raised by the inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham, what steps has this administration taken to ensure that procedures and services are robust in safeguarding young people here in Tower Hamlets?
Response by Councillor Gulam Robbani, Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services
Thank you Mr Hassell, Councillor Hassell for your question.
This is a very important issue, a very sensitive one, and recent revelation around Rotherham is rather shocking and sad.
In terms of our administration, we place safeguarding children as our top priority and on that end Mayor earlier on he said Mayor and I have commissioned an independent investigation, independent review of our safeguarding process and also we asked for officers to carry out an extensive audit of our safeguarding process and procedure.
We are committed to provide the best service in terms of safeguarding and therefore I would recommend all our Councillors to attend a future safeguarding meeting coming up some time in October and therefore I could assure the Chamber is that we have a very robust safeguarding board in place and we have an independent Chair who chairs this safeguarding board and we have a very good record on safeguarding children in this authority.
Supplementary question from Councillor Danny Hassell
I thank the Lead Member for his response and am sure we all welcome the review that he’s mentioned. I understand the review will be looking at the arrangements, the procedures and processes for dealing with child sexual exploitation.
I wonder if in addition I could ask the Lead Member to request that there is an independent audit of some of the previous cases that have been dealt with by the Council and partners so that we can identify direct lessons from these to be implemented for the future.
Councillor Gulam Robbani’s response to the supplementary question
In terms of I say that we also asked for an extensive audit of safeguarding process and safeguarding cases and am happy to ensure any lesson to be learned from Rotherham experience we will do so.
8.2 Question from Councillor Mahbub Alam
Will the Council join me in congratulating Cllr Rabina Khan in being nominated for the ‘Hero of the Year’ award in the 2014 European Diversity Awards and also wish her the best of luck?
Response by Councillor Oliur Rahman, Deputy Mayor
Thank you Mr Speaker it gives me great pleasure to respond to this question. Well done to Councillor Rabina for being shortlisted for 2014 European Diversity awards which celebrates individuals, organisation and businesses excellence and promoting equality and diversity across Europe.
Councillor Khan is a fantastic asset to this Council.
She has rightly has been shortlisted for her engagement in local community, wider society through her writing directing and producing work.
Her support in delivering government regeneration initiatives ... 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 be transacted 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 be transacted 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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2013-14 Treasury Management Outturn Report PDF 252 KB To note the treasury management activity for the financial year ended 31st March 2014, as required under the Local Government Act 2003.
The report of the Acting Corporate Director of Resources is attached. Additional documents: Minutes: The Council considered the report of the Acting Corporate Director of Resources on treasury management.
RESOLVED
That the report be noted.
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TO CONSIDER MOTIONS SUBMITTED BY MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL PDF 104 KB The motions submitted by Councillors for debate at this meeting are set out in the attached report.
Additional documents: Minutes: 12.1 Motion regarding Primary School Performance
Councillor Andrew Wood moved, and Councillor Chris Chapman seconded the motion as printed on the agenda.
Following debate, the motion was put to the vote and was agreed.
RESOLVED
This Council notes:
· That in the Bethnal Green & Bow area of the borough, the percentage of primary school children attending a Local Authority school rated as Outstanding by OFSTED has dropped from 29% five years ago, prior the current administration coming in to office, to 8% this year.
· That in the same area the percentage of pupils attending a primary school rated as Inadequate has gone from 0% five years ago to 7% this year.
· That across the whole borough the percentage of children attending a primary school rated as Inadequate (4%) is twice as high as any neighbouring borough.
· That the percentage of primary school children attending a school rated as Outstanding in Tower Hamlets (15%) would put it towards the bottom of a local league table of schools.
· That this is despite Tower Hamlets receiving approximately the third highest funding per pupil in London.
This Council therefore asks that the Overview & Scrutiny committee investigate the causes for this decline and report back to full Council as soon as possible.
12.2 Motion regarding the Council’s Budget
Councillor Shiria Khatun moved, and Councillor Rachael Saunders seconded, the motion as printed on the agenda.
Following debate, the motion was put to the vote and was agreed.
RESOLVED
This Council notes: 1. The Tower Hamlets Council Cabinet paper of July 2013, which set out the budget cuts imposed by Government which will mean that this Council needs to make £28.4m of cuts in 2015/16 and a further £39m in 2016/17.
2. The failure of previous budget consultation processes, with few people engaging before concrete proposals were published.
This Council believes: 1. That there is significant increase in local need for services the Council provides, for example in school places and in social care.
2. That the Conservative led government is attacking deprived communities, including Tower Hamlets to pursue their ideological cuts agenda.
3. That it is vital that the decision making process for the budget is fair, and is seen to be fair.
4. That all candidates for the election of Mayor of Tower Hamlets stood in the full knowledge of the difficult decisions they were going to have to make.
5. That in a place as diverse as Tower Hamlets, with real need across the whole of our community, transparency is vital to maintaining trust.
6. That the Council being open about the tough decisions it needs to make will help local partners including other public sector organisations and local voluntary sector and social enterprises consider where they can collaborate to make shared savings.
7. That Labour councils across the UK have invested in partnerships and infrastructure to increase resilience in the face of cuts.
This Council resolves: 1. To campaign to challenge the Conservative led government’s austerity agenda, and to make clear ... view the full minutes text for item 12. |
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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: No motion to exclude the press and public was passed.
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EXEMPT MINUTES To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the exempt (restricted) minutes of the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 30th July 2014. The draft exempt minutes are attached for Members of the Council.
Additional documents: Minutes: [Considered at the same time as Item 3 – Unrestricted Minutes]
RESOLVED
That the exempt/confidential minutes of the Council meeting held on 30 July 2014 be confirmed as a correct record and the Speaker be authorised to sign them accordingly.
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URGENT MOTIONS Additional documents: Minutes: The Council agreed to suspend Procedure Rule 13.1 to enable the following urgent motion to be debated without notice:
15.1 Motion regarding Tower Hamlets Council’s judicial review on the Best Value Inspection
Councillor Peter Golds moved, and Councillor Craig Aston seconded, a tabled motion on the above matter.
The Interim Monitoring Officer advised the Council on legal matters in relation to the tabled motion.
Councillor Peter Golds then moved, and Councillor Craig Aston seconded, an amended version of the tabled motion.
Following debate, Councillor Joshua Peck moved an amendment to the tabled motion, to replace in bullet point two “the Chair and Vice-Chair of Overview and Scrutiny” with “The Overview and Scrutiny Committee”. Councillors Golds and Aston indicated that they accepted this amendment and altered their motion accordingly.
Adjournments
During the debate of this motion the Speaker agreed two adjournments to allow officer advice to be procured. The first adjournment began at 20:45 and the meeting reconvened at 20:58. The second adjournment began at 21:02 and ended at 21:04.
Procedural Motion
After the first adjournment, the Speaker, Councillor Abdul Mukit MBE, moved, and Councillor Khalis Uddin Ahmed seconded, a procedural motion “that under Procedure Rule 14.1.16 Councillor Md. Maium Miah be not further heard” due to misconduct. The procedural motion was put to the vote and was agreed.
Following further debate, the amended motion was put to the vote and was agreed as below. Accordingly it was:-
RESOLVED
That this Council instructs:-
Under Procedure Rule 17.6, the following Councillors requested that it be recorded that they had not voted on the above motion, having left the chamber during discussion of the motion in light of the advice of the Interim Monitoring Officer:
Councillor Ohid Ahmed Councillor Suluk Ahmed Councillor Mahbub Alam Councillor Shah Alam Councillor Shahed Ali Councillor Abdul Asad Councillor Alibor Choudhury Councillor Gulam Kibria Choudhury Councillor Shafiqul Haque Councillor Aminur Khan Councillor Rabina Khan Councillor Abjol Miah Councillor Harun Miah Councillor Md Maium Miah Councillor Mohammed Mufti Miah Councillor Muhammad Ansar Mustaquim Councillor Oliur Rahman Councillor Gulam Robbani
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