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. The order the business was taken in at the meeting was as follows:

• Item 1 - Apologies for absence.
• Item 2 – Declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests.
• Item 13.1 - Urgent Motion Regarding Britain First and the East London Mosque
• Item 3 – Minutes.
• Item 4 – Announcements.
• Items 5 – Petitions.
• Item 6 – Public Questions. (6.1)
• Item 12.2 -  Motion regarding Poplar HARCA
• Item 6 – Public Questions. (6.2 - 6.3)
• Item 13.2 - Urgent motion regarding the future of Old Ford Housing Association.
• Item 6 – Public Questions (6.4 - 6.7)
• Item 7 – Mayor’s Report.
• Item 8 – Members Questions (8.2)
• Item 13.3 - Urgent motion regarding the UK’s membership of the European Union
• Item 8 – Members Questions (8.3 - 8.6)
• Item 9. 1  - Report of the Human Resources Committee, Pay Policy Statement 2016/17
• Item 11.1 - Community Safety Partnership Plan Review and Extension
• Item 11.2 - Members' Allowances Scheme 2016/17
• Item 11.3 - Calendar of Council and Committee Meetings 2016/17

Before the commencement of business, the Speaker of the Council expressed great regret about the terrible events in Brussels. He stated that everyone’s thoughts and prayers were with all of those affected by the terrorist attacks. He invited the Council to stand and observe a minute’s silence in memory of those killed and injured.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of:

·         Councillor Amina Ali

·         Councillor Gulam Robbani

·         Councillor Rabina Khan

·         Councillor Gulam Kibria Choudhury

·         Councillor Craig Aston

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.

Councillors Helal Uddin and John Pierce declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 12.2 -  ‘Motion regarding Poplar HARCA’. This was on the basis that the Councillors employers had a working relationship with Poplar HARCA. The Councillors stated that they would leave the meeting room for the consideration of the motion.

Councillor Joshua Peck declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 12.4 -  ‘Motion regarding the Government’s attack on a Council’s right to follow an ethical policy in relation to procurement and Pension Fund investments’.  This was on the basis that his employer had contracts with a number of pension funds (Motion not debated due to lack of time).

Councillor Abdul Asad declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 12.4  - ‘Motion regarding the Government’s attack on a Council’s right to follow an ethical policy in relation to procurement and Pension Fund investments’. This was on the basis that the Councillor had a Pension with the Authority. (Motion not debated due to lack of time)

Mayor John Biggs, Councillors Oliur Rahman and Peter Golds moved and seconded, a procedural motion “that under Procedure Rule 14.1.5, Rule 13.1 be suspended to enable an urgent motion regarding Britain First and the East London Mosque to be considered”. The procedural motion was put to the vote and was agreed.

To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Council held on 20 January 2016 and the Budget Council meeting held on 24 February 2016.

RESOLVED:

1.            That the unrestricted minutes of the Council meeting held on 20 January  2016 and the Budget Council meeting held on 24 February 2016  be confirmed as a correct record and the Speaker be authorised to sign them accordingly.

The Speaker announced that his Charity Dinner would be taking place on  Wednesday 27^th April. Tickets were £30 and booking details were available from the Speaker’s Office. All were encouraged to attend these enjoyable events. The money raised would be going to the Speaker’s charities (MIND in Tower Hamlets and Newham, and the Surjamuki Project).

The Speaker also reported that Commander John Ludgate was due to retire from the role of Deputy Lieutenant for the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and that this was his last Council meeting. John had been in post since 1994 and in that time had performed his duties admirably and with great dignity representing the people of Tower Hamlets.

At the invitation of the Speaker, Mayor John Biggs, Councillor Oliur Rahman, (Leader of the Independent Group) and Councillor Peter Golds, (Leader of the Conservative Group) each thanked him for all his hard work and contributions to the Borough, particularly praising his courteous approach and application in attending so many meetings and events. This was much appreciated by all. They wished him all the best for the future and a happy retirement.

At the invitation of the Speaker, Commander Ludgate addressed the meeting. He reported that he had been proud to have supported the work of the many elected representatives of the Borough including Leaders and elected Mayors and Speakers/Civic Mayors. He commented that, over the last 22 years, the Borough had changed remarkably, particularly in relation to the quality of schools, which were now amongst the best in the Country and provided one of the best ways of tackling poverty. The Council should be proud of such achievements. He thanked the Council for its support and wished everyone well for the future.

Following the contributions, Commander Ludgate was presented with a certificate and gifts commemorating his service to the Borough.

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 17 March 2016.

However at the time of agenda despatch, the maximum number of petitions has already been received as set out in the attached report.

5.1       Petition relating to Ayasofia Primary school.

Mr Mohammed Umair addressed the meeting and responded to questions from Members. Councillor Rachael Saunders, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Education & Children's Services then responded to the matters raised in the petition. She  considered that the petition raised two issues. The first of which concerned the OFSTED report which it was understood the school was challenging. In this regard, the Council had done its best to  support the school going beyond its statutory duties for an independent school and were generally supportive of the school aims. The report raised serious issues and these needed to be addressed.

The second issue concerned the school building and the difficulties in securing planning permission for the school. Whilst it was beyond the remit of this meeting to allocate a building, she along with Officers in Children’s Services  would continue  do all that they could to make sure the school was treated fairly in that process and would assist any bid to list the school as a community asset.

RESOLVED:

1.            That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Children's Services for a written response within 28 days.

5.2       Petition relating to the Glenkerry Co-Operative Housing Association

Petitionersaddressed the meeting and responded to questions from Members. Councillor Sirajul Islam Statutory Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Housing Management & Performance then responded to the matters raised in the petition. He stated that the Administration were committed to working with the petitioners to see how it could assist the Housing Co-Operative. To this end, the Mayor’s Office would be in contact with the petitioners to commence discussions with the the Housing  Co-Operative to move the issues forward

RESOLVED:

1.            That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal, for a written response within 28 days.

5.3       Petition relating to Anti-Social Behaviour on the Aberfeldy Estate

Petition not presented due to the absence of the petitioner.

RESOLVED:

1.            That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal, for a written response within 28 days.

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.

The following questions and in each case supplementary questions  were put and were responded to by the Mayor or relevant Executive Member:-

6.1       Question on Poplar HARCA Parking Charges:

Mohbub Ali

Will the Mayor intervene directly to stop unjustified and extortionate increase in residential parking permit for residents by Poplar HARCA?

Ruhul Tapader

Is the Cabinet Member aware of the major increases in parking charges that Poplar HARCA has implemented – and does the cabinet member have view of these?

Response by Mayor John Biggs:

I am a disappointed as you are with the massive increase in parking charges, also in the charges for pram sheds and for garages. This evening a number of you presented this petition to me which has got a massive number of signatures on it which shows the level of disquiet on this issue. My starting point is that HARCA are generally a good Landlord. They have got a good reputation, charge relatively low rents, provide a good community service and have an ambitious programme of building new homes. They have been massively affected by the government rules saying they have to cut the rents by 1% a year over the next four years which has knocked a hole in their business plan. They have to achieve savings or increase income without being allowed to put up their rent. That in no way in my view excuses what they have done. I think their behaviour has been clumsy and it has been excessive. There are a number of people in the chamber and in the gallery this evening who have come to show their displeasure and the number of signatures show how unhappy people are with this issue.

I have been meeting with Steve Stride and Paul Brickell the Chief Executive and Chair of the HARCA as have my Members and we have made it quite clear to them that we think it is not good enough. This has been very damaging to their reputation and the confidence of tenants and leaseholders as well. We have informed them that we want them to reverse these changes. They have made a proposal to us and we need to continue talking to them about that. There may be a motion on this matter on the agenda and if that is brought forward we can discuss this matter further.

Supplementary question from Mohbub Ali and Ruhul Tapader:

Poplar HARCA might be good but the fact is there has been a lack of consultation with the residents and this keeps on coming up. We would not be in this situation if they had consulted with us or consulted with the State Board who represent the residents, this is why we have to contact the Council now to try to get it reduced. Will the Mayor ask the government to allow residents of Housing Associations to ballot every 10 years to choose their Housing Association, this way they will have more accountability?

Mayor John Biggs’ response to the supplementary question:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

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.

The Mayor made his report to the Council, referring to his written report circulated at the meeting, summarising key events, engagements and meetings since the last Council meeting.

When the Mayor had completed his report at the invitation of the Speaker the Leaders of the other political groups then responded briefly to the Mayor’s report.

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.

The following questions and in each case a supplementary question were put and were responded to by the Mayor or relevant Executive Member.

8.2       Question from Councillor Oliur Rahman:

What is Mayor John Biggs’ view and stance on academies and free schools?

Response by Mayor John Biggs:

You want to know my stance on academies and free schools. Well the answer is I like you are a parent and my primary motive is to ensure that any child of mine or any child of my constituents gets an excellent education. I would say tribally and instinctively I tend to be not that happy with academies and the free schools programme. But we live in the world that we live in and it is very much the determination of the Government to turn all schools into academies or free schools and my responsibility as Mayor is to work to support school improvement. I think that I would just add to what I have said is there are free schools and free schools, the same way as there are maintained schools and maintained schools. It’s the quality of the education that is really important. I think we need to wake up to the fact that although we may politically exchange barbs with each other and we may disagree with Government policy, as a Local Authority we need to work with the network of schools as they are and we need to attempt to influence and improve the educational outcomes for our kids.

Supplementary question from Councillor Oliur Rahman:

Mr Mayor when it comes to Education that is one thing that everyone in this Chamber would agree that the future of our children is far more important than our political views. However, with the Shadow Education Secretary of the Labour Party saying that she may bring in academies and free schools and, on the other hand, the Leader of the Labour Party saying he opposes free schools and academies and, I think the simple question that I am asking and I would be grateful if you could possible give me a yes or no answer to, do you support academies and free schools - yes or no?

Mayor John Biggs response to the supplementary question:

I support an excellent education for our kids and I think there is a problem actually which is that the free school and the academy programme achieved one thing, whatever your views of it was, when schools could choose to be part of it and a small number did. But the Government’s current determination to turn all schools into free schools and academies will immediately  or very rapidly highlight a whole number of problems in terms of support, special needs, admissions and exclusions policy and in terms of whether those schools actually have a connection to the communities they are in. There is a theme running through tonight’s meeting which is that I want schools to be very much part of the communities that they are based in.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To consider the report of the Human Resources Committee meeting held on 21 January 2016 in respect of the Pay Policy Statement 2016/17.

The Council considered the report from the Human Resources Committee meeting of 21 January 2016 regarding the adoption of a Pay Policy Statement for 2016/17 as required by the Localism Act 2011.

The recommendations set out in the report were put to the vote and were agreed. Accordingly, it was:

RESOLVED:

1.            That the Authority’s Pay Policy Statement for the year 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017 be adopted as recommended by the Human Resources Committee and attached at Appendix A to the report.

2.            That it be agreed that if any minor changes to the 2016/17 pay policy statement are required as a result of future government guidance, these amendments be delegated to the Chief Executive, after consultation with the Service Head (HR and WD), the Chair of the HR Committee and the Monitoring Officer. Should any fundamental changes be required, the pay policy statement will be sent back to the HR Committee for consideration.

Nil items.

There was no business to transact under this agenda item.

To consider the report of the Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture in respect of the Community Safety Partnership Plan Review and Extension.

The Council considered the report of the Corporate Director Communities, Localities and Culture in respect of the Community Safety Partnership Plan Review and Extension.

The recommendations set out in the report were put to the vote and were agreed. Accordingly, it was:

RESOLVED:

1.    That the content of the Community Safety Partnership Plan 2013-16 Revised for Year 3 (Appendix 1 of the report) be noted;

2.    That the content of the report and the decision made under the relevant legislation by the CSP to extend its current CSP Plan by 1 year, so that it remains aligned with MOPAC’s Police and Crime Plan 2013-16 and expires on 31.03.17 be noted;

3.    That the CSP’s extension of its Plan term for a further year until 31^st March 2017 be agreed for the reasons set out in the report.

To consider the report of the Director, Law, Probity and Governance in respect of the Members’ Allowances Scheme 2016/17.

Council considered the report of the Director, Law, Probity and Governance in respect of the Members’ Allowances Scheme 2016/17.

The recommendations set out in the report were put to the vote and were agreed. Accordingly, it was:

RESOLVED:

That the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Members’ Allowances Scheme 2016 as set out at Appendix ‘A’ to the report be adopted.

To consider the report of the Director, Law, Probity and Governance setting out the proposed dates of Council and Committee meetings for 2016/17.

Council considered the report of the Director, Law, Probity and Governance setting out the proposed dates of Council and Committee meetings for 2016/17.

The recommendations set out in the report were put to the vote and were agreed. Accordingly, it was:

RESOLVED:

1.            That the proposed calendar of meetings for the municipal year 2016/17 as set out in Appendix A of the report be approved.

2.            To delegate to the Director, Law, Probity and Governance the authority to agree meeting dates for any new Committees or Panels that are set up subsequent to this report being presented to Council, subject to appropriate consultation with Members.

The motions submitted by Councillors for debate at this meeting are set out in the attached report.

12. 2   Motion regarding the Poplar HARCA

Councillor Khales Uddin Ahmed moved and Councillor Rajib Ahmed seconded the motion as printed in the agenda.

Following debate, the motion was put to the vote and was agreed. Accordingly, it was:

RESOLVED:

This Council notes that while rent cuts are of course popular for tenants they are in reality a cynical move by the Government to reduce its Housing Benefit bill by transferring costs to housing providers. Poplar HARCA, like many Registered Providers, faces a challenging time financially as a consequence of the year-on-year 1% rent cuts imposed by Government. However, the draconian decisions taken by the HARCA in part-response to this have caused massive disquiet, particularly as they have hit the pockets of residents through increased charges.

We acknowledge:

1.    Poplar HARCA has increased charges for parking and hire of sheds on their estates.

2.    Parking spaces have increased in cost from £1.96 per week to £7 per week.

3.    The price of hiring a shed has also increased from £1.96 to £7 per week.

4.    Residents do not believe that they have been properly consulted, or forewarned, about the increases in charges.

5.    We note that there have been a series of other cuts, less immediately affecting residents but which will also severely affect the services they receive.

This Council believes:

1.    While recognising the challenges faced by the HARCA, the costs of hire for parking spaces and sheds should be kept as low as reasonably possible.

2.    Poplar HARCA should ensure that the prices of parking spaces and sheds should take into consideration the financial means of residents and levels of deprivation locally as well as rising costs of living locally.

3.    As a locally based and supposedly resident-led organisation Poplar HARCA should be doing all it can to keep costs to residents as low as possible.

4.    There needs to be a proper accounting for the consequences of the other cuts implemented by the HARCA. The lack of transparency is in stark contrast to the openness of the Council’s own recent budget debate and consultation.

This Council resolves:

1.    To call on the Mayor to write to Poplar HARCA expressing the concern of this Council to the large increases in charges, and other cuts.

2.    To call on Poplar HARCA to stop the implementation of these new charges and to engage in consultation with residents about increasing charges.

Motions 12.1, 12. 3 – 4 were not debated due to lack of time.

The Council agreed to suspend Procedure Rule 13.1 to enable the following urgent motion to be debated without notice:

13.1 Motion Regarding Britain First and the East London Mosque

Mayor John Biggs, Councillors Oliur Rahman and Peter Golds moved and seconded, the motion as tabled.

Following debate, the motion was put to the vote and was unanimously agreed. Accordingly, it was:

RESOLVED:

This Council notes the attempt by Britain First to provoke violence in our borough with their unannounced and hostile acts outside the East London Mosque on Saturday 12^th March. This followed a previous visit on Tuesday 1^st March. Britain First attempted to block the entrance to the Mosque, used offensive, provocative, Islamaphobic and racist language, and clearly attempted to incite a reaction. East London Mosque is in a predominantly Muslim area of our Borough.

The Council further notes the strength of response to these events from the community, Council members, partners and services and welcomes action taken by the Mayor to address the events including attending a solidarity with the Mosque demonstration promoted by United East End where both the Mayor and Leader of opposition were joined by a cross section of community groups including representatives of various faiths and none. We have fought hard to secure and maintain good community relations, based on respect, in our borough and will continue vigorously to do so.

This Council believes that the actions of Britain First are dressed up as a ‘passive protest’ but are clearly designed to provoke a reaction, obstructing local people from going about their lawful and proper business and increasing the risk of violence.

The Council further believes that we must remain vigilant and send a clear message that groups such as Britain First are not welcome in any corner of our Borough.

This Council resolves:

1.            To call on the Mayor to continue updating all members on the response and planning for any possible future attempts by groups such as Britain First to divide communities and provoke violence.

2.            To request that the Mayor, the leader of opposition, and minority opposition group leader, on behalf of Council, write an open letter to local residents to reassure them that they stand united to their opposition to any effort to divide our communities.

3.            To call on the Mayor to write, jointly with the leader of opposition and minority opposition leader, to the Home Secretary exploring options to ban Britain First from demonstrating in any part of our Borough, including in particular outside a faith building, where their intent is to provoke violence and spread their message of hatred.

13.2    Urgent Motion regarding the Future of Old Ford Housing Association

Councillor Marc Francis moved, and Councillor Sirajul Islam seconded, the motion as tabled.

Following debate, the motion was put to the vote and was unanimously agreed. Accordingly, it was:

RESOLVED:

This Council notes:

·         Old Ford Housing Association was established in 1998 as the successor body to Tower Hamlets Housing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.