Apologies for absence were received on behalf of:

•           Councillor Mufeedah Bustin

•           Councillor Mohammed Ahbab Hossain and

•           Councillor Abdal Ullah.

The Speaker of the Council, Councillor Victoria Obaze in the Chair

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.

The Divisional Director Legal Services advised that the Standards (Advisory) Committee on 30 January 2020 agreed a general dispensation to all Councillors in respect of matters relating to the Council Tax. Members did not therefore have to declare a DPI in respect of this matter.

Councillor Kahar Chowdhury declared a Non Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in agenda item 5, Budget and Council Tax 2020/21, in relation to any budget proposals that affected care services. This was on the basis of his wife’s employment in the care sector.

Councillor Abdul Mukit MBE declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in agenda items 4.1, and 4.2, Petitions regarding the Community Language Service. This was on the basis that his wife was an employee of the LBTH Community language service. He left the meeting for the consideration of these items.

In respect of International Mother Language Day, the Speaker paid tribute to the memories of the martyrs of the Language Movement who were killed as they sought to protect their mother language.

The Council Procedure Rules provide for a maximum of four petitions to be discussed at a Budget Meeting of the Council.

The attached report presents the received petition to be discussed. Should any further petitions have been received they would have been listed to be noted but not discussed. No further petitions were received.

The Speaker agreed to vary the order of business for hearing these Petitions. To aid clarity, the minutes are presented in the order that the items originally appeared on the agenda and follow the standard minute format.

4.1 Petition Debate regarding the Community Language Service

Cyras Kabir and others addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners and responded to questions from Members. Following this, the Council debated the matters raised in the Petition and the Mayor John Biggs responded to the issues raised.

The Mayor gave assurances that the Council valued the Community Language service and welcomed the feedback on the proposals. He urged the community to support the next phase in the development of the service.

RESOLVED:

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

4.2 Petition for presentation regarding the Community Language Service

Mohammad Abu Hussain and others addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners, and responded to questions from Members. Mayor John Biggs responded to the issues raised in the Petition as summarised at Petition 4.1 above.

RESOLVED:

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

To consider the proposals of the Mayor and Executive for the Council’s Budget and Council Tax 2020-21, as agreed at the Cabinet Meeting on 29th January 2020.

To also consider the Treasury Management Strategy Statement, Investment Strategy Report and Capital Strategy Report for 2020-21, approved for recommendation to Council by the Audit Committee on 30th January 2020.

Mayor John Biggs moved, the budget proposals of the Mayor and Executive as set out in the agenda pack. Councillor Candida Ronald seconded the proposals.

Councillor Peter Golds then moved and Councillor Andrew Wood seconded an amendment as set out in the supplementary agenda.

Councillor Rabina Khan then moved and Councillor Harun Miah seconded an amendment as set out in the supplementary agenda.

Following debate, the amendment proposed by Councillor  Peter Golds was put to a recorded vote and was defeated.

The amendment proposed by Councillor  Rabina Khan was put to a recorded vote and was defeated.

The substantive budget proposals were then put to a recorded vote and were agreed.

RESOLVED:

General Fund Revenue Budget and Council Tax Requirement 2020-21

1.    Approve the Council Tax Resolution, detailed in Appendix A to this motion attached to the minutes.

2.    Agree a General Fund revenue budget of £354.496m and a total Council Tax Requirement for Tower Hamlets in 2020-21 of £108.438m as set out in the table below.

3.         Agree a Council Tax for Tower Hamlets in 2020-21 of £1,060.35 at Band D resulting in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.