To elect a Councillor to serve as Speaker of the Council for the municipal year 2016/17 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 time 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).

Before commencing his address, the Speaker welcomed to the Council meeting, Unmesh Desai, the newly elected Greater London Authority  Member for the City and East London Constituency as well as the Boroughs two Members of Parliament, Rushanara Ali and Jim Fitzpatrick and his wife. He also congratulated the newly elected Mayor of London Sadiq Khan on his election.

The Speaker then reported that he had been overwhelmed by level of support he had received over the last two years. He wished to thank the Mayor, Councillors and Council staff for their support. In particularly, he praised the local community for their generous support and willingness to get involved in community life – as demonstrated at the recent Civic Awards ceremony celebrating the achievements of those who had given outstanding contributions to the community.

He thanked the many volunteers and organisations who had helped him raise so much money for his charities, MIND and the Surjamuki Project, and for enabling him to hold two additional events this year, (in additional to his annual events). These were the Consort’s Charity event celebrating International Women’s Day and a Charity Dinner. In particular, he paid tribute to the fundraising Sub-Committees who had helped arrange these events. He also thanked the Canary Wharf Group and London Tea Exchange and the Boroughs two MPs for their contributions to his fund raising efforts.

As a result of this support, he had exceeded his fund raising target for his chosen charities of £50,000, raising £51,000.

Turning to other events, he reported that he had the honour of welcoming many guests to the Town Hall from all over the world as well as school children to learn about democracy. He thanked Mayor John Biggs for supporting this and providing facilities to enable this. He also paid tribute to Councillor Peter Golds for his tireless work for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal and for supporting the Tour of the Borough that promoted the Borough to visiting Civic Mayors.  He had enjoyed being the Speaker of Council very much.

Finally, he thanked his wife and daughter who had accompanied him as his consorts at events for their support. He also thanked his PA Patricia Attawia in Members Support for her hard work and dedication and his drivers for their invaluable help.

The respective political leaders in turn each responded to the Speakers address recording their thanks for his dedicated service, reflected by his election to the position of Speaker for two consecutive years. They welcomed his honesty, fairness, fund raising achievements  and the dignified manner in which he had carried out his duties and had represented the Borough.

The Speaker then called for nominations to serve as Speaker of the Tower Hamlets Council for the coming year.

It was moved by Mayor John Biggs, seconded by Councillor Sirajul Islam, and:

RESOLVED

1.            That Councillor Khales Uddin Ahmed be elected to serve as Speaker of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Council until the Annual Council Meeting in May 2017.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

To elect a Councillor to serve as Deputy Speaker of the Council for the municipal year 2016/17 or until a successor is appointed, whichever is the sooner.

The Speaker sought nominations to serve as Deputy Speaker of the Council for the forthcoming municipal year. It was moved by Mayor John Biggs, seconded by Councillor Sirajul Islam, and:

RESOLVED

1.            That Councillor Sabina Akhtarbe elected to serve as Deputy Speaker of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Council until the Annual Council meeting in May 2017.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of

·         Councillor Mahbub Alam

·         Councillor Joshua Peck

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.

There were no declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests.

To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Council held on 23^rd March 2016.

RESOLVED

1.            That the unrestricted minutes of the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 23 March 2016 be confirmed as a correct record and the Speaker be authorised to sign them accordingly.

The Mayor gave an update on the Chief Executives’ appraisal process. He reported that his first appraisal would be carried out shortly and a report on the matter would be submitted to the General Purposes Committee, setting out the Chief Executives’ objectives for the year ahead in compliance with the Commissioners’ directives.

To note the Mayor’s Cabinet and related appointments in the Executive Scheme of Delegation as at 18 May 2016 as set out in the attached report.

The Council considered the report of the Corporate Director, Law, Probity and Governance setting out the Mayor’s Cabinet appointments and other arrangements in respect of Executive Decision Making.

Following debate, the recommendation was put to the vote and was agreed.

RESOLVED

1.            That the Mayor’s Executive Decision Making scheme be noted.

To establish Committees and Sub-Committees of the Council for the Municipal Year 2016/17 and allocate places on those Committees and Sub-Committees with the review of proportionality as required by the Local Government Housing Act 1989.

This report also proposes changes to the Non-Executive Committee structure and notes recent changes to the Scrutiny structure as agreed by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The Council considered the report of the Corporate Director, Law, Probity and Governance proposing the establishment of the Council’s committees for 2016/17 and setting out the review of proportionality and the allocation of places on those Committees and sub committees. 

The report also proposed changes to the Non-Executive Committee Structure and noted recent changes to the Council’s Scrutiny Structure.

RESOLVED

That the Council agrees:

1.            That a new ‘General Purposes Committee’ be established with the terms of reference as set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

2.            The review of proportionality as at section 3 of the report and the allocation of seats on committees and panels for the Municipal Year 2016/17 as set out at paragraph 4.2. of the report.

3.            The committees and sub-committees established for the municipal year 2016/17, and places be allocated on those committees and sub-committees, as set out at paragraph 4.2  of the report.

4.            To note the proposed arrangements for Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committees.

To agree a revised Schedule of Meetings for the Council, committees and other meetings for the municipal year 2016/17.

The Council considered the report of the Corporate Director, Law, Probity and Governance setting out a revised calendar of meetings for the Council, Committees and other meetings for the municipal year 2016/17.

Following debate, the recommendations were put to the vote and were agreed.

RESOLVED

1.            The following proposed amendments to the calendar of meetings for the municipal year 2016/17 be approved as set out in Appendix A to the report, including, amongst others, changes to –

2.            That the Corporate Director, Law, Probity and Governance be delegated the authority to agree meeting dates for any new Committees or Sub-Committees that are set up subsequent to this report being presented to Council, subject to appropriate consultation with Members.

To appoint a Chair and members to each of the committees and panels of the Council established at item 8 above, in accordance with the nominations submitted by the political groups

The Council considered the report of the Corporate Director, Law Probity and Governance, on appointments from political groups for members of the committees, sub-committees and other bodies including those established under item 8 above (including the Chairs where appropriate). The list of nominations was tabled at the meeting. The Council agreed to resolve as follows:

RESOLVED

1.            That members and substitute members be appointed to the committees and sub-committees of the Council and other bodies for the municipal year 2016/17 as set out in tabled Appendix A of the report.

2.            That the Chairs of Committees for 2016/17 be appointed to the committees and sub-committees of the Council  as set out in the nominations listed in tabled Appendix B of the report.

3.            That, in relation to any unfilled places within the seats allocated to a particular political group, the Council note that the Corporate Director, Law, Probity and Governance has delegated authority subsequently to agree the appointments to those places in accordance with nominations from the relevant political group. 

To consider an updated Scheme of Members’ Allowances for 2016/17.

The Council considered the report of the Corporate Director, Law, Probity and Governance, setting out an updated Scheme of Members Allowances for 2016/17.

During the discussion, the Monitoring Officer agreed to respond to questions put in relation to the powers of the Mayor or Council to appoint Members to paid positions.

Councillor Oliur Rahman moved and Councillor Rabina Khan seconded the following amendment to the recommendations.

·                     Increased the Council Tax by 4% for ordinary residents of Tower Hamlets while it was frozen for many years by the previous administration – a Council Tax rebate for residents in real term, despite huge austerity cuts;

·                     Increased the essential charges for residents and small businesses by an additional 1.7% in the Fee and Charges Schedule;

·                     Failed to note and appreciate that the staff at Tower Hamlets Council have not had a fair and adequate increase in their salaries for a number of years – and capped at 1%;

·                     Slashed or reduced the front line services and other essential provisions for the most vulnerable residents, including children, women and the disabled;

·                     Disingenuously and hypocritically did not incorporate the new posts of three Mayoral Advisers, paid for by the local tax payers, to pay an extra £21,000 to three Labour Cllrs for advice - a role they are already obligated to fulfil. This is after the Mayor’s Office has been budgeted to £605,000 – including the Head of Mayor’s Office costing in the range of £85,000 - £100,000, a new Head of Marketing at £100,000; and

·                     Reduced front line Tower Hamlets Partnership Police Officers to 6 from 41, despite huge issues and concerns around the rise in anti-social behaviour, drug and gang related crimes.

·                     The Scheme of Members’ Allowances 2016/17 has not transparently outlined whether Mayor John Biggs will be receiving the full increase for his entire term until 2018. In particular, this would make the spin to forego £3,953 for this year, an insulting gesture given the fact the Labour Group proposed, voted and passed an amendment on October, 27, 2010 to cut the Mayor’s salary by £10,000 to £65,000 which is demonstrative of their political bias and vindictiveness.

·                     The Independent Review to increase the Member’s allowances was available to the previous mayor, who decided against an increase due to austerity cuts and to sharing the pain with staff and residents who were suffering under the Tory-led Government.

·                     Freeze all Member’s allowances, including the Mayoral and Special Responsibility Allowances, until such a time when the Tower Hamlets Staff are given an adequate, fair and proportionate rise, Council Tax is frozen and/or austerity cuts have been dealt with, anything less will mean that Mayor John Biggs and his administration is more interested in lining up their pocket rather than providing value for money and standing up for people of Tower Hamlets.

The amendment  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

An opportunity for the Mayor and Group Leaders to set out their views on the ‘State of the Borough’.

As confirmed by the Chief Executive, in consultation with group leaders, the arrangements are as follows:

·         Mayor John Biggs – to speak for twenty minutes

·         Councillor Oliur Rahman – to speak for five minutes

·         Councillor Peter Golds – to speak for five minutes

·         Mayor John Biggs – to respond for five minutes

·         Close of debate.

Mayor John Biggs made his state of the Borough speech to the Council. He began by describing the key challenges facing the Borough and his Administration  achievements to date.

He then discussed their future aims.  Specifically, he highlighted their plans for further improving the Council’s governance structure, their approach to providing affordable housing, responding to the budget challenging facing the Borough, and the Government welfare changes.  He also outlined their education and employment plans, their youth services strategy, environmental policies and their approach to addressing anti-social behaviour.

He also highlighted their plans for improving the health and wellbeing of residents, their position on the Mela and the Rich Mix Cultural Centre and that there would also be a review of the Council’s Development Plan.

He welcomed the appointment of the new Senior Officers and thanked his Cabinet and Council staff for their hard work over the course of the year. 

Councillor Oliur Rahman then responded to the Mayor’s speech. He expressed concern about the recent rise in the Council Tax rate, cuts to the burial service, nursery closures, changes to the home care services, the funding of advisors and the Mayor’s position on the Rich Mix centre and the Mela.

Councillor Peter Golds then addressed the Council. He concurred with the points made about the importance of good government arrangements and welcomed the appointment of permanent senior officers at the Council.

Mayor John Biggs then briefly responded to the points raised summarising the Council’s key priorities.