To elect a Councillor to serve as Speaker of the Council for the municipal year 2017/18 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).

Before commencing his address, the Speaker of the Council welcomed to the Council meeting, Unmesh Desai, the Greater London Authority  Member for the City and East London Constituency

He was also sad to report that former Councillor Ashek Ali passed away in April. He was the first elected Bangladeshi Labour Councillor in Tower Hamlets. The Council’s thoughts and wishes were with his family and friends at this time.

The Speaker of the Council stated that he was grateful to have had this opportunity to serve as Speaker over the previous year and had enjoyed the experience very much. He reported that he had received overwhelming support from the community at the many events he had supported and was proud to have had the honour of recognising the achievements of citizens at the Civic Awards ceremony.

He had held two successful events to raise money for his charities. He hoped to raise around £50,000 for his charities. These were the Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, Apasen, SOUL (the Social Organisation for Unity and Leisure) and the BBPI Foundation. He thanked all those who had supported these events, especially the Canary Wharf Group, who had supported the Speaker over many years, fellow Councillors and the newly established Speaker’s Cadets. He hoped that future Speakers would continue with this initiative. He expressed support for the campaign to make Tower Hamlets a Royal Borough given its special features and hoped that the Deputy Lieutenant for Tower Hamlets, Leslie Morgan would continue to work for this. Finally, he wished his successor good luck and thanked staff for supporting him during the year.

The Mayor John Biggs and the Opposition Group Leaders then responded to the Speakers address. They thanked him for all his hard work over the previous year and for presenting a positive image of the Borough to the community. It was clear from his time in Office that he cared passionately and was very dedicated to the Borough. They also congratulated him on his charitable fundraising, his community work, especially his work with the young Mayors, and the manner in which he had presided over Council meetings.

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

It was moved by Mayor John Biggs, seconded by Councillor Rachael Saunders, and:

RESOLVED

1.            That Councillor Sabina Akhtar be elected to serve as Speaker of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Council until the Annual Council Meeting in May 2018.

Mayor John Biggs and Councillor Rachael Saunders then came forward to witness the Speaker of the Council signing the statutory declaration of acceptance of office.

The incoming Speaker, Councillor Sabina Akhtar thanked the Council for electing her as Speaker. She reported that she would be one of youngest Councillors and the first ever Bengali women to hold the position. She hoped that this achievement  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

To elect a Councillor to serve as Deputy Speaker of the Council for the municipal year 2017/18 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 Ayas Miah  be elected to serve as Deputy Speaker of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Council until the Annual Council meeting in May 2018.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of

·         Councillor Candida Ronald

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 Wednesday 22 March 2017.

RESOLVED

1.            That the unrestricted minutes of the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 22 March 2017 be confirmed as a correct record and the Speaker be authorised to sign them accordingly.

On behalf of the Council, the Speaker of the Council  thanked Aman Dalvi, who would shortly retire from the Authority, for his services as the Corporate Director Place, and formerly Corporate Director, Development and Renewal. She advised that Mr Dalvi arrived at the Council in February 2009 with many years of experience in housing and urban regeneration. His notable achievements included securing the regeneration of both the Ocean Estate and Blackwall Reach as well as embarking on an ambitious house building programme.

The Mayor, Opposition Groups Leaders and fellow Councillors also paid tribute to Mr Dalvi, praising his contributions and achievements.

The Council wished him well for the future. 

To note the Mayor’s Cabinet and related appointments in the Executive Scheme of Delegation as at 17 May 2017. Report to follow.

The Council considered the report of the Acting Corporate Director, Governance and Interim Monitoring Officer (circulated in a supplementary agenda) setting out the Mayor’s Cabinet appointments and other arrangements in respect of Executive Decision Making.

The recommendation was put to the vote and was agreed. Accordingly it was:

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 2017/18 and allocate places on those Committees and Sub-Committees with the review of proportionality as required by the Local Government Housing Act 1989.

The Council considered the report of the Acting Corporate Director, Governance and Interim Monitoring Officer proposing the establishment of the Council’s committees for 2017/18 and setting out the review of proportionality and the allocation of places on those Committees and sub committees. 

The recommendations were put to the vote and were agreed. Accordingly it was resolved:

RESOLVED

That the Council agrees:

1.    The review of proportionality as at section 3 of the report  and the allocation of seats on Committees and Panels for the Municipal Year 2017/18 as set out at paragraph 4.2 of the report.

2.    The Committees and Sub-Committees established for the municipal year 2017/18, and places be allocated on those Committees and Sub-Committees, as set out at paragraph 4.2 of the report.

3.    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 2017/18.

The Council considered the report of the Acting Corporate Director, Governance and Interim Monitoring Officer setting out a revised calendar of meetings for the Council, Committees and other meetings for the municipal year 2017/18.

The recommendations were put to the vote and were agreed. Accordingly it was

RESOLVED

1. That the proposed amended calendar of meetings for the municipal year 2017/18 be approved as set out in Appendix A of the report.

2. That the Corporate Director  Governance be delegated 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.

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 Acting Corporate Director of Governance and Interim Monitoring Officer regarding the appointment of members to the Council’s Committees and Panels, and Chairs where appropriate, including those established under item 8 above. The list of nominations received was tabled at the meeting.

Following the receipt of two nominations for the position of Chair of the Pensions Committee, the nominations were put to the vote and Councillor Clare Harrison was elected to that position.

In addition, at the meeting the Independent Group asked that Councillor Mahbub Alam be added as their representative on the Grants Scrutiny Sub – Committee.

The recommendations were put to the vote and were agreed. Accordingly it was

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 2017/18 as set out in the list of tabled nominations as amended at the meeting .

2. That the Chairs of Committees for 2017/18 be appointed from amongst the list of tabled nomination subject to the appointment of Councillor Clare Harrison to the position of Chair of the Pensions Committee.

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