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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Note on attendance:
The following were in attendance only at the meeting on 20 May 2015: · Councillor Ohid Ahmed, Councillor Mahbub Alam, Councillor Chris Chapman and Councillor Rabina Khan. The following were in attendance only at the meeting on 24 June 2015: · Mayor John Biggs, Councillor Suluk Ahmed, Councillor Sabina Akhtar, Councillor Shafiqul Haque, Councillor Abjol Miah, Councillor Mohammed Mufti Miah and Councillor Gulam Robbani.
Note on Adjournment and order of business
The order of business was varied from the printed agenda by the Council during the meeting. In addition, the meeting was adjourned at 7.35 p.m. on 20th May 2015 and reconvened, following the Mayoral and Stepney Green Ward by-elections, at 8.00 p.m. on 24th June 2015.
For ease of reference these minutes list the agenda items in the same order as the agenda. Where relevant, each agenda item records the proceedings and/or decisions taken at both sessions of the meeting.
Note on Nomination of Chair to preside over election of Speaker
Councillor M.A Mukit (Speaker) and Councillor Khales Uddin Ahmed (Deputy Speaker) remained outside the meeting until the Council had elected a 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. |
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The Speaker of the Council, Councillor M. A. Mukit MBE, 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: Following the re-election of Councillor M. A. Mukit to serve as Speaker for the municipal year 2015-16 at the Annual Council meeting held on 20th May 2015, the Service Head Democratic Services invited Councillor Mukit to address the meeting 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 a fantastic ambassador of 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 do. He had chosen to support two charities during the forthcoming year in office. These were Mind in Tower Hamlets, that delivered a programme of services to people with mental health needs and the Surjamuki Project that provided services for young Asian people with moderate disabilities. He hoped that the Council would join him in supporting these charities. He also reported that once again, his wife and daughter would be his consorts for the year.
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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.
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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: The minutes of the ordinary Council meeting held on 15th April 2015 were confirmed at the Annual Council meeting held on 20th May 2015.
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TO RECEIVE ANNOUNCEMENTS (IF ANY) FROM THE SPEAKER OF THE COUNCIL Additional documents: Minutes: The Speaker of the Council welcomed the new Mayor John Biggs and invited him to address the meeting.
The Mayor began by wishing all 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 his award of 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: The Speaker sought nominations to serve as Deputy Speaker of the Council following Councillor Khales Uddin Ahmed’s resignation from this position.
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 for the municipal year 2015/16.
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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 report of the Service Head, Democratic Services, setting out the review of proportionality and proposing the establishment of the Council’s committees and allocation of seats on these Committees for 2015/16 as set out in the supplemental pack for the 24th June 2015 Council meeting.
The recommendations were put to the vote were agreed.
RESOLVED:
1. That the review of proportionality at paragraph 3 of the report be noted and the Council agree allocation of seats on committees and panels established for the remainder of the Municipal Year 2015/16 as set out at paragraph 4.2 of the Committee report.
2. To note that Member and deputy appointments to serve on those committees and panels in accordance with nominations from the political groups will be considered at Agenda Item 9 ‘Appointments to Committees and Panels’.
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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 PDF 54 KB 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.
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.
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 along with tabled amendments to the meeting dates.
RESOLVED
That, subject to the tabled amendments, the proposed calendar of meetings for the municipal year 2015/16 be approved.
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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’s Scheme of Delegation as set out in the supplementary pack for the 20th May 2015 Council meeting agenda.
RESOLVED
That the 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: The Mayor’s report, setting out the Executive Scheme of Delegation and Cabinet appointments, was tabled at the meeting.
RESOLVED
That the Mayor’s Executive Scheme of Delegation and Cabinet appointments be noted.
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