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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The Speaker of the Council, Councillor M. A. Mukit, MBE in the Chair
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 13. The order the business was taken at the meeting was as follows:
The Speaker wished all a happy Bengali New Year and reported that he had attended a number of events recently in celebration of this. |
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE To receive any apologies for absence. Additional documents: Minutes: Apologies for absence were received on behalf of:
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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: There were no declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests.
Councillor John Pierce declared a personal interest in item 13.1, motion regarding Save Our Homes as he was employed by a Trade Association.
Councillor Shafiqul Haque and Councillor Rachael Saunders each declared a personal interest in item 12.2, motion regarding a New Deal for Leaseholders, as leasholders within the borough.
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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 21st January 2015 and the budget Council meetings held on 25th February 2015 and 5th March 2015. The draft minutes are attached. Additional documents:
Minutes: RESOLVED
That the unrestricted minutes of the ordinary Council meeting held on 21st January 2015 and the budget Council meetings held on 25th February 2015 and 5th March 2015 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 59 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 9th April 2015. 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 entitled ‘Save Our Homes – Enough is Enough – Brune, Bernard, Carter & Barnett House.’
Mr Shamsur Rahman 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 sympathy with the petitioners’ concerns about the demolition of the properties and reassured the petitioners that there would be a meeting with the Mayor to discuss the concerns.
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 moved, and Councillor Gulam Robbani seconded, a procedural motion “that under Procedure Rule 14.1.5, Rule 13.1 be suspended to enable an urgent motion regardingSave Our Homes to be considered”. The procedural motion was put to the vote and was agreed.
5.2 Petition regarding Globe Town Mosque and Cultural Centre, E2 0PG
The petition was not presented to the meeting due to the absence of the petitioners.
5.3 Petition regarding the Watts Grove development
Mr Terry McGreneraaddressed 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 advised that she had met with the Lincoln Estate Tenants and Residents Association and she would contact the Corporate Director for Development Renewal to identify how a facility could be provided as part of the development.
RESOLVED
That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal, 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 66 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:-
6.3 Question from Ms Shuily Akthar:
Can the Lead Member update us about the effectiveness and the success of the Community Safety walk-abouts? How successful is the Council innovative initiative "Mobile Police Station”?
Response by Councillor Ohid Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Community Safety
This is a very important initiative. Since becoming the Lead Member for Community Safety I have taken very seriously the need to listen to residents’ views. That is why I initiated this project. Since it began, about 500 serious issues have been dealt with across the borough. A range of agencies were involved in the initiative and have attended the walkabouts (including the Police, Tower Hamlets Enforcement Officers and Registered Social Landlords) and have come forward with ideas. Councillors have also attended the walkabouts and have seen the good work done.
The Mobile Police Station has been present in each ward before each of the walkabouts in the latest round and is a place where people could come to report crime issues more easily. Residents have used this facility to raise matters of concern directly with police and it has also been utilised for a number of other partnership activities where we have been listening to the feedback.
Summary of supplementary question from Ms Akthar
Have Councillors attended the walkabouts?
Summary of Councillor Ohid Ahmed’s response to the supplementary question
Yes, Councillors do attend the walkabouts.
6.5 Question from Mr Aulad Miah:
As a local resident, I, and others in the Spitalfields and Banglatown Ward were astonished to learn that Labour Party Group in Tower Hamlets Council wanted to cut funding for our much loved local cultural and community asset, the Kobi Nazrul Centre.
Could the Executive explain why would Labour want to unfairly attack, cut funding for Kobi Nazrul Centre with potential consequences for people who work there, their jobs and the service users - local residents and stakeholders - in such a disrespectful way? Would it be true to say that once you start going down such a slippery slope as proposed by Labour, the future of the Centre could be put at risk in future years?
Response by Councillor Alibor Choudhury, Cabinet Member for Resources
Yes I agree with your points and would also add that the Labour Group have also proposed to cut other important services. The centre was close to the hearts of the community and should be celebrated. It was an iconic feature of the area that reflected its culture and history. However the Labour Group had no regard for this.
In view of these benefits, the administration are investing funding to re-establish services at the centre.
Summary of supplementary question from Mr Miah
Earlier on in the meeting, there was a discussion about the Holland Estate, where Members were very critical about the lack of engagement with residents. I therefore find it surprising ... 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.
The Mayor also paid tribute to MrAtaur Rahman, Chair of the Brick Lane Mosque, who had sadly passed away, and to the huge contribution that Mr Rahman had made to the local community.
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 Motion
Following Councillor Rachael Saunders’ speech in response to the Mayor’s report and before Councillor Peter Golds’ speech, Councillor Saunders moved and Councillor Danny Hassell seconded, a procedural motion “that under Procedure Rule 14.1.3 the order of business be varied such that Motion 12.5 ‘Motion regardingMotion regarding Barts Health NHS Trust’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 COUNCIL PDF 70 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 question and a supplementary question were put and were responded to by the relevant Executive Member.
8.1 Question from Councillor Sirajul Islam
Does the Mayor support Rushanara Ali and Jim Fitzpatrick’s campaign to secure a new deal for leaseholders – including calling for an extension to the current repayment period for major works from 12 months to 10 years and providing much greater transparency on all charges and proposed major works?
Response from Councillor Rabina Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing & Development
In contrast with the MPs, the Mayor had been pursuing these particularly issues since 2014 when there was a petition submitted to get the issues solved. Your candidates have only very recently joined the campaign in the run up to the election.
We have held several meetings with leaseholders and officers and have begun to investigate policies in the area. The Mayor would not support MPs who have little regard for housing issues. Adding their names to the campaign would undermine the hard work done by the people in the community.
Summary of supplementary question from Councillor Islam
The MPs have written articles about the campaign and in August 2014, Labour Councillors raised a motion at Full Council on the issues. The Best Value Audit highlighted a number of failing in this area, and in light of this, we were always raising concerns on these issues. Does the Mayor support the campaign – yes or no?
Summary of Councillor Rabina Khan’s response to the supplementary question
The Labour Group motion was not about major repair works. I support the Mayor’s review of the issue.
Questions 8.2 to 8.25 were not put due to lack of time. The Service Head, Democratic Services indicated that written responses would be provided to the questions. (Note: The written responses are included in Appendix A to these minutes).
Procedural Motion
Councillor John Pierce 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 12.2 ‘New Deal for Leaseholders’ be taken as the next item of business.” The motion was put to the vote and was agreed.
Extension of time limit for the meeting
Councillor Rachael Saunders moved, and Councillor Danny Hassell seconded, a procedural motion that “under Procedure Rule 15.11.7 the meeting be extended for up to an additional 30 minutes to enable the consideration of the Motion 12.8 regarding Social Landlords”.
The procedural motion was put to the vote and was defeated.
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REPORTS FROM THE EXECUTIVE AND THE COUNCIL'S COMMITTEES Additional documents: |
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Pay Policy Statement 2015/16 - Reference from the Human Resources Committee PDF 72 KB To adopt the Council’s Pay Policy Statement for 2015/16 as required by the Localism Act 2011. The draft statement is set out in the attached reference from the Human Resources Committee (19th February 2015). Additional documents: Minutes: Council considered a reference from the Human Resources Committee (19th February 2015) regarding the Pay Policy Statement 2015/16.
Due to lack of time, under the guillotine procedure the recommendations were put to the vote and were agreed. Accordingly it was
RESOLVED
1. To adopt the authority’s Pay Policy Statement for the year 1st April 2015 to 31st March 2016 as attached as Appendix 1 to the reference from the Human Resources Committee.
2. To agree that if any minor changes to the 2015/16 policy statement are required as a result of future government guidance, authority to make such amendments be delegated to the Head of Paid Service after consultation with the Service Head (Human Resources and Workforce Development), the Chair of the Human Resources Committee and the Monitoring Officer. Should any fundamental changes be required, then the Pay Policy Statement be referred back to the Human Resources Committee for consideration.
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TO RECEIVE REPORTS AND QUESTIONS ON JOINT ARRANGEMENTS/EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS (if any) 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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Calendar of meetings 2015/16 PDF 68 KB To agree the programme of Council, Committee and other meetings for the municipal year 2015/16. The report of the Service Head, Democratic Services is attached. Additional documents: Minutes: Council considered the report of the Service Head, Democratic Services on the proposed calendar of Council and Committee meetings for 2015/16.
A revised ‘Appendix A’ to the report, setting out an amended draft programme of meetings, had been tabled.
Due to lack of time under the guillotine procedure the recommendations were put to the vote and were agreed. Accordingly it was
RESOLVED
That the Council approve the proposed calendar of meetings for the municipal year 2015/16 as set out in the revised Appendix A to the report of the Service Head, Democratic Services as tabled at the meeting and attached as Appendix B to these minutes.
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TO CONSIDER MOTIONS SUBMITTED BY MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL PDF 123 KB The motions submitted by Councillors for debate at this meeting are set out in the attached report.
Additional documents: Minutes: 12.2 Motion regarding a New Deal for Leaseholders
Councillor John Pierce moved, and Councillor Rachel Blake seconded, the motion as printed in the agenda.
During the debate, Councillor Rabina Khan indicated that she wished to move an amendment to the motion in the following terms:-
“The Council Notes;
In the mid 1990s and into early 2000 under the Labour administration there was a programme called the Five Year Rolling programme which included major and capital works.
The Five Year Rolling Programme did not use stock condition surveys and did not have a comprehensive repayment options with leaseholders been charged 9% interest after two years of been sent a bill.
It was only in 2012 with the Cabinet Report that the Mayor took the initiative to introduce comprehensive repayment options with a view to review the options during the course of the Major Works.
The, hard work of the Mayor and his administration of working since August 2014 to review the repayment options following petitions and individual issues raised by leaseholders regarding Major Works.
The Council believes that;
That THH and the Tower Hamlets Council had already begun the review process for repayment options back in August 2014.
That in the last major works charges completed under a Labour administration such measures were never brought forward and that leaseholders faced hefty bills were issued during that time.
The Council Resolves;
To only bill on completion of works after all works have been signed off with leaseholders, contractors and Tower Hamlets Council.
To continue to the review of repayments which began in August 2104 with a paper for Cabinet to extend from 3 years and 5 years repayment options for resident leaseholders up to 10 years.
To offer 3 years interest free repayment to non-residents subject to qualifying circumstances.
To, explore the potential to offer no interest charge to resident leaseholders if paid within 10 years.
To explore the potential to offer 7% discount if paid within the first year to all leaseholders.
To ensure that the financial and inclusion officer at THH pro-actively works with leaseholders who qualify for the discretionary cap.”
Copies of the amendment were circulated. However due to time constraints the amendment was not considered and the motion as printed in the agenda was put to the vote and was agreed. Accordingly it was
RESOLVED
This Council notes:
1. The hard work done by MPs Rushanara Ali and Jim Fitzpatrick to support leaseholders in the borough
2. Leaseholders across Tower Hamlets have been sent bills by Tower Hamlets Homes for as much as £40,000 for major works as part of the Decent Homes Programme
3. Leaseholders have been given 12 months to repay these hefty and unmanageable bills
4. Leaseholders feel that Tower Hamlets Homes and Tower Hamlets Council have not adequately engaged, consulted or responded to their concerns
This Council believes that:
1. It is unacceptable for leaseholders to be hit with such extreme bills and under such a short repayment timescale
2. The ... view the full minutes text for item 12. |
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URGENT MOTIONS Additional documents: Minutes: The Council agreed to suspend Procedure Rule 13.1 to enable the following urgent motions to be debated without notice:
13.1 Motion regarding Save Our Homes
Councillor Rabina Khan moved, and Councillor Gulam Robbani seconded, a tabled motion on the above matter.
Councillor Rachael Saunders moved and Councillor Shiria Khatun seconded, an amendment to insert ‘Wheeler House’ to the first and sixth bullet points of the motion; ‘the LBTH Mayor’ to the final bullet point; and an additional bullet point under ‘this council notes’ to read:- ‘The support of Rushanara Ali MP for the local residents.’ Following debate the amendment was put to the vote and was defeated.
Following further debate the motion was put to the vote and was agreed unanimously. Accordingly it was:-
RESOLVED
The Council notes
The petition submitted by residents on Bruce, Bernard, Carter and Barnett Houses expressing strident opposition to the proposed demolition of their homes
The allegation by residents that East End Homes are in breach of the stock transfer agreement signed with the Council and considerable turnout at a march opposing demolition last week
The importance of consultation and involvement of residents in all decisions made that affect them
This Council believes That where redevelopment occurs, it should always occur in the interests of residents
That the petition brought to Council and action by BBC Residents shows the strength of feeling and community among many residents on this estate
This Council resolves
To support the residents of Bruce, Bernard, Carter and Barnett Houses in asking that East End Homes sticks to the terms of the stock transfer agreement
To insist upon transparent and genuine consultation in keeping with government guidelines
To continue both supporting and holding to account all Social Landlords that we work with
To ask the Lead Member to meet with EEH and representatives of petitioners to discuss the situation
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