Agenda 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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Councillor M.A Mukit (Speaker) and Councillor Khales Uddin Ahmed (Deputy Speaker) remained outside the meeting until the Council had elected the Speaker.
The Service Head, Democratic Services opened the meeting and sought nominations for a Councillor to temporarily Chair the meeting to preside over the election of the Speaker.
It was moved by Councillor Rachael Saunders, seconded by Councillor Shiria Khatun, and:
RESOLVED
That Councillor Rajib Ahmed be elected to chair the meeting for the election of the Speaker.
Councillor Rajib Ahmed, in the Chair
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ELECTION OF SPEAKER To elect a Councillor to serve as Speaker of the Council for the municipal year 2015/16 or until a successor is appointed, whichever is the sooner.
(Note: Section 4 and Schedule 2 of the Local Government Act 1972 provide that the election of the chairman (which post the Council has resolved to title ‘Speaker’ in Tower Hamlets) shall be the first item of business transacted at the Annual Meeting of the Council and that in the case of an equality of votes, the person presiding at the meeting shall give a casting vote in addition to any vote s/he may have).
Additional documents: Minutes: Councillor Rajib Ahmed sought nominations to serve as Speaker of the Council.
It was moved by Councillor Rachael Saunders, seconded by Councillor Shiria Khatun and:
RESOLVED
That Councillor M. A. Mukit, MBE be re-elected to serve as Speaker of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Council until the Annual Council Meeting in 2016.
[Note: Councillor M.A. Mukit, MBE and Councillor Khales Uddin Ahmed entered the Chamber at this point of the meeting.]
Councillors Rachael Saunders and Councillor Shiria Khatun, then came forward to witness the Speaker of the Council signing the statutory declaration of acceptance of office.
The Speaker of the Council, Councillor M. A. Mukit MBE, in the Chair
Following the adjournment of the meeting on 20th May 2015 and the resumption on 24th June 2015, Councillor Mukit addressed the Council about his year in office.
He reported that it had been a wonderful experience and a great privilege to serve as the Speaker over the year affording him the opportunity to attend many events with fellow civic colleagues. He had tried his best to attend as many as possible. There were so many unique experiences worth highlighting including: attending the Queen’s Garden Party, the local government anniversary event at Westminster Abbey and the London Mayor’s and Borough Mayors services. Other activities included raising money for the Poppy Appeal, participating in charity events, visiting Bangladesh to promote joint initiatives, welcoming esteemed visitors to the Borough from all over the world and celebrating cultural and educational achievements.
The Speaker also reported on his attendance of the recent civic awards ceremony, praising the work of the volunteers honoured who gave their time to community work.
Regarding his chosen charity, the Tower Hamlets Foodbank, he expressed gratitude for the kind contributions to the project. In particularly, he thanked staff for contributing so generously to their Christmas appeal. He had worked hard to support the charity. He also referred to the Speaker’s Charity Ball and his tour of Tower Hamlets with London Borough Mayors. In total, he had raised over £30,000 for his charity.
Finally, he thanked all those who had supported him throughout the year. This included colleagues, residents, his wife and daughter who had accompanied him as his consorts at events, as well as Council staff, particularly Patricia Attawia and everyone in Member Support and his drivers.
The respective political group leaders and the Mayor in turn each responded to the Speaker’s address, sharing some of their own favourite memories of his year in office and praising the personal quality that he brought to the role. They also congratulated him on his achievements over the year and thanked him for being such a good ambassador for the Borough.
The Speaker of the Council then addressed the meeting on his plans for his second year in office. He stated that it was a great honour to be re - elected for a second year running giving him more time to do all the things he wanted to ... view the full minutes text for item 1. |
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE To receive any apologies for absence. Additional documents: Minutes: On 20th May 2015, apologies for absence were received on behalf of:-
At the reconvened meeting on 24th June 2015, apologies for absence were received on behalf of:- · Councillor Ohid Ahmed · Councillor Mahbub Alam · Councillor Chris Chapman; and · Councillor Rabina Khan
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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.
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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 15th April 2015. Additional documents: Minutes: RESOLVED
That the unrestricted minutes of the Council meeting held on 15th April 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: At the reconvened meeting on 24th June 2015, the Speaker of the Council made announcements as follows:-
Firstly, the Speaker welcomed the newly elected Mayor John Biggs and invited him to address the meeting.
Mayor Biggs began by wishing all present a happy Ramadan. He then listed some of his early achievements since taking up office and his aspirations for the future.
Following the Mayor’s address, the Speaker welcomed the new Councillor for Stepney Green Ward, Councillor Sabina Akhter to her first Council meeting.
The Speaker also congratulated Councillor Peter Golds on being awarded a CBE in the recent honours list.
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ELECTION OF DEPUTY SPEAKER To elect a Councillor to serve as Deputy Speaker of the Council for the municipal year 2015/16 or until a successor is appointed, whichever is the sooner.
Additional documents: Minutes: At the first part of the meeting, on 20th May 2015, the Speaker sought nominations to serve as Deputy Speaker of the Council. It was moved by Councillor Shiria Khatun, seconded by Councillor Danny Hassell, and:
RESOLVED
That Councillor Khales Uddin Ahmed be re-elected to serve as Deputy Speaker of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Council until the Annual Council Meeting in 2016.
At the reconvened meeting on 24th June 2015, the Council was informed that Councillor Ahmed had stood down from the position of Deputy Speaker and the Speaker therefore sought further nominations to serve as his replacement.
It was moved by Councillor Sirajul Islam, seconded by Councillor Shiria Khatun, and:
RESOLVED
That Councillor Rajib Ahmed be elected to serve as Deputy Speaker of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Council until the Annual Council Meeting in 2016.
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REVIEW OF PROPORTIONALITY AND ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMITTEES AND PANELS OF THE COUNCIL PDF 64 KB To establish committees and panels of the Council for the municipal year 2015/16, to undertake a review of proportionality in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and to allocate places on the committees and panels of the Council accordingly.
The revised report of the Service Head, Democratic Services is attached.
Additional documents: Minutes: The Council considered the revised report of the Service Head, Democratic Services, setting out the review of proportionality and proposing the establishment of the Council’s committees for 2015/16. The revised report was tabled at the meeting and superseded that included in the agenda.
Councillor Rachael Saunders moved, and Councillor Shiria Khatun seconded, an amendment to the report in the form of an additional recommendation that the review of proportionality and establishment of committees be agreed pending the outcome of the elections on 11th June 2015. The amendment was put to the vote and was agreed unanimously.
The recommendations as amended were then put to the vote and were agreed unanimously.
RESOLVED:
1. That the Council note the review of proportionality as at section 3 of the report;
2. That committees and panels be established for the Municipal Year 2015/16, and places be allocated on those committees and panels, as set out in the table below:-
3. That the single ungrouped councillor be appointed to the two vacant positions remaining after the allocation of group places on the committees.
4. That the Council agree the review of proportionality and establishment of committees as in the revised report, pending the outcome of the elections on 11th June 2015.
Procedural Motion
Councillor Rachael Saunders moved and Councillor Danny Hassell seconded, a tabled motion under Procedure Rule 14.1.12 .The motion was put to the vote and was agreed unanimously. Accordingly it was:-
RESOLVED:
This Council notes:
1. The Mayoral and Stepney Green Elections on Thursday, June 11, 2015.
This Council believes:
1. That maintaining the present council committee membership and chairs until the election of a new mayor would be reasonable and practical.
This Council resolves:
1. To reappoint the existing chair of each council committee until the annual meeting is reconvened.
2. To continue the existing committee appointments (insofar as they are compatible with the review of proportionality agreed at agenda item 7) until the meeting is reconvened.
3. That where the review of proportionality requires changes to the committee memberships, the relevant political group(s) be requested to inform the Service Head, Democratic Services of their nominations to the places allocated to that group.
4. To adjourn the remaining business of the annual meeting of council, under Rule 14.1.12, until Wednesday the 24th of June 2015 at a time to be agreed by the Speaker.
5. That pending the annual meeting being reconvened, the Head ... view the full minutes text for item 7. |
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DCLG COMMISSIONERS DECISION MAKING To note the arrangements for decision-making by the DCLG Commissioners including the establishment of a cross-party member forum to provide advice to the decision-making process.
The report of the Service Head, Democratic Services is to follow.
Additional documents: Minutes: There was no business to be transacted under this agenda item.
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APPOINTMENTS TO COMMITTEES AND PANELS OF THE COUNCIL To appoint a Chair and members to each of the committees and panels of the Council established at item 7 above, in accordance with the nominations submitted by the political groups (to follow).
Additional documents: Minutes: The Council considered the tabled report of the Service Head, Democratic Services, setting out the nominations to committees and panels of the Council as notified by the political groups.
Following the receipt of two nominations for the position of Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the nominations were put to the vote and Councillor John Pierce was elected to that position.
RESOLVED
1. That the Committees Chairs for 2015/16 be appointed as listed at Appendix A to the tabled report of the Service Head, Democratic Services subject to the appointment of Councillor John Pierce to the position of Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
2. That the members and deputy members be appointed to the committees and panels of the Council and other bodies for the municipal year 2015/16 as set out at Appendix B to the tabled report of the Service Head, Democratic Services and appended to these minutes.
3. That in relation to any unfilled places within the seats allocated to a particular political group, the Council note that the Director of Law, Probity and Governance has delegated authority subsequently to agree the appointments to those places in accordance with nominations from the relevant political group.
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APPOINTMENT OF CO-OPTED MEMBER TO THE STANDARDS ADVISORY COMMITTEE PDF 56 KB To note the appointment of a co-opted member to the vacant position on the Standards Advisory 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 concerning the appointment of Co-opted Member to the Standards Advisory Committee as set out in the supplemental pack for the 20th May 2015 Council meeting.
Following debate, the recommendations were put to the vote and were agreed. Accordingly it was:-
RESOLVED
That pursuant to (i) the decision of the Council on 25th February 2015 that Mr Daniel McLaughlin be appointed as a co-opted member of the Standards Advisory Committee in the event of any further vacancy arising for a co-opted member during the municipal year to May 2015; and (ii) the resignation of Mr Barry O’Connor on 18th March 2015 giving rise to such a vacancy; the Council note the appointment of Mr Daniel McLaughlin as a co-opted member of the Standards Advisory Committee for a four year term of office from 20th May 2015.
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CALENDAR OF MEETINGS 2015/16 PDF 59 KB To agree a revised calendar of Council, committee and other meetings for the municipal year 2015/16, taking into account changes pursuant to the forthcoming election on 11th June 2015 for a Mayor of Tower Hamlets and a Councillor for Stepney Green 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 setting out a revised calendar of Council, Committee and other meetings for 2015/16, along with tabled amendments to the proposed meeting dates.
RESOLVED
That, subject to the tabled amendments, the proposed revised calendar of meetings for the municipal year 2015/16 be approved. [Note: the agreed calendar of meetings is appended to these minutes].
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COUNCIL SCHEME OF DELEGATION 2015/16 PDF 75 KB To confirm the parts of the scheme of delegation that the Constitution provides are for the Council to agree. The report of the Service Head, Democratic Services is attached. Additional documents: Minutes: The Council considered the report of the Service Head, Democratic Services regarding the Council Scheme of Delegation as set out in the supplementary pack for the 20th May 2015 Council meeting agenda.
RESOLVED
That the scheme of delegation be agreed as set out in those sections of Part 3 of the Council’s Constitution that relate to Council functions, for the municipal year 2015/16 or until a further decision of the Council, whichever is the sooner.
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EXECUTIVE SCHEME OF DELEGATION PDF 78 KB To note the Executive Scheme of Delegation that is in place pending the election on 11th June 2015 of a Mayor of Tower Hamlets. The report of the Service Head, Democratic Services is attached.
Additional documents: Minutes: |