COUNCILLOR L. RAHMAN (CHAIR) IN THE CHAIR

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of

Ms I. Freeman, Assistant Chief Executive (Legal Services), for whom Mr G. White, Interim Legal Team Manager, Chief Executive’s, was deputising.

Mr J. Goldup, Corporate Director Adults Health and Wellbeing, for whom Ms H. Taylor, Service Head Commissioning and Strategy, Adults Health and Wellbeing, was deputising.

Mr P. Evans, Interim Corporate Director Development and Renewal, for whom Mr O. Whalley, Service Head Major Project Development, Development and Renewal, was deputising.

Noted

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of

Ms I. Freeman, Assistant Chief Executive (Legal Services), for whom Mr G. White, Interim Legal Team Manager, Chief Executive’s, was deputising.

Mr J. Goldup, Corporate Director Adults Health and Wellbeing, for whom Ms H. Taylor, Service Head Commissioning and Strategy, Adults Health and Wellbeing, was deputising.

Mr P. Evans, Interim Corporate Director Development and Renewal, for whom Mr O. Whalley, Service Head Major Project Development, Development and Renewal, was deputising.

Apologies for lateness were received on behalf of Councillor A. Ali, Lead Member Health and Wellbeing.

Noted

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 Chief Executive.

Councillor O. Ahmeddeclared a personal interest in Agenda item 8.1 “London Thames Gateway Development Corporation, Draft Bromley-by-Bow Land Use Design Brief”. The declaration of interest was made on the basis that the report contained recommendations relating to the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation and Councillor Ahmed was a representative of the Authority on the governing body of the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation.

Councillor A. Ali gave notification to the clerk prior to the Cabinet meeting that she had a personal interest in Agenda items 6.1 “Food Law Enforcement Service Plan 2008/2009” and 7.1 “Recommissioning LinkAge Plus” on the basis that the report made reference to the Tower Hamlets Primary Care Trust. and Councillor Ali was an employee of the Tower Hamlets Primary Care Trust (partner in general practitioner’s practice in Spitalfields).

Noted

Action by:

ACTING ASSISTANT CHIEF EXECUTIVE (M. KEATING)

Executive Team Leader, Democratic Services (A. Taylor)

Councillor O. Ahmeddeclared a personal interest in Agenda item 8.1 “London Thames Gateway Development Corporation, Draft Bromley-by-Bow Land Use Design Brief”. The declaration of interest was made on the basis that the report contained recommendations relating to the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation and Councillor Ahmed was a representative of the Authority on the governing body of the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation.

Councillor A. Ali gave notification to the clerk prior to the Cabinet meeting that she had a personal interest in Agenda items 6.1 “Food Law Enforcement Service Plan 2008/2009” and 7.1 “Recommissioning LinkAge Plus” on the basis that the report made reference to the Tower Hamlets Primary Care Trust. and Councillor Ali was an employee of the Tower Hamlets Primary Care Trust (partner in general practitioner’s practice in Spitalfields).

Councillor Rofique U. Ahmed requested that in the case of Members sharing a common family name that future minutes of the Cabinet meeting clearly differentiate between these Members, and in particular that his name be recorded as Rofique U. Ahmed.

Noted

To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Cabinet held on 11^th June 2008.

Resolved

That subject to the amendments set out below the unrestricted minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Cabinet held on 11^th June 2008 be approved and signed by the Chair, as a correct record of the proceedings:-

Page 1 - Other Councillors Present: amendment of designated titles to reflect appointment of Scrutiny Lead Members in the Municipal Year 2008/9.

Page 5 - Agenda item 4 “Declarations of Interest” paragraph 2: deletion of “Councillor Francis was a representative of the Authority on the governing body of Old Ford Housing Association” and insertion of “Councillor Francis was an independent member of the governing body of Old Ford Housing Association”.

Page 7 - Agenda item 7.1 “Chairs advice of Key Issues or Questions in relation to Unrestricted Business to be considered” penultimate paragraph: deletion of “Councillor Francis” and insertion of “Councillor Asad”.

Page 9 - Agenda item 9.1 “Housing Investment Programme 2008/09 to 2012/13” final bullet: correction of typographical error: Malmsbury Estate to Malmesbury Estate.

Page 14 - Agenda item 11.2 “Children’s and Young People’s Plan (CYPP) Review and 2007 Update” paragraph 4: deletion of “Primary Strategy for Change“ and insertion of “Children’s and Young People’s Plan”.

Action by:

ACTING ASSISTANT CHIEF EXECUTIVE (M. KEATING)

Executive Team Leader, Democratic Services (A. Taylor)

Councillor Francis, Lead Member Housing and Development, in referring to the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 11^th June 2008 indicated that he had raised three matters of accuracy with the clerk, as set out below, prior to the commencement of the meeting; and proposed that the minutes be amended accordingly.

·                    Page 1 - Other Councillors Present: amendment of designated titles to reflect appointment of Scrutiny Lead Members in the Municipal Year 2008/9.

·                    Page 5 - Agenda item 4 “Declarations of Interest” paragraph 2: deletion of “Councillor Francis was a representative of the Authority on the governing body of Old Ford Housing Association” and insertion of “Councillor Francis was an independent member of the governing body of Old Ford Housing Association”.

·                    Page 7 - Agenda item 7.1 “Chairs advice of Key Issues or Questions in relation to Unrestricted Business to be considered” penultimate paragraph: deletion of “Councillor Francis” and insertion of “Councillor Asad”.

Councillor Hawkins, Lead Member Children’s Services, in referring to

Page 14 - Agenda item 11.2 “Children’s and Young People’s Plan (CYPP) Review and 2007 Update” paragraph 4 observed that there was a reference to “Primary Strategy for Change“ and this should be a reference to “Children’s and Young People’s Plan”, and proposed that the minutes be amended accordingly.

Councillor Peck, Lead Member Resources and Performance, in referring to

Page 9 - Agenda item 9.1 “Housing Investment Programme 2008/09 to 2012/13” final bullet: observed that Malmsbury Estate was spelled incorrectly and required the insertion of the letter e, and proposed that the minutes be amended accordingly.

The Chair Moved (taking account of the proposed amendments from Councillors Francis, Hawkins and Peck); and it was: -

Resolved

That subject to the amendments set out below the unrestricted minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Cabinet held on 11^th June 2008 be approved and signed by the Chair, as a correct record of the proceedings:-

Page 1 - Other Councillors Present: amendment of designated titles to reflect appointment of Scrutiny Lead Members in the Municipal Year 2008/9.

Page 5 - Agenda item 4 “Declarations of Interest” paragraph 2: deletion of “Councillor Francis was a representative of the Authority on the governing body of Old Ford Housing Association” and insertion of “Councillor Francis was an independent member of the governing body of Old Ford Housing Association”.

Page 7 - Agenda item 7.1 “Chairs advice of Key Issues or Questions in relation to Unrestricted Business to be considered” penultimate paragraph: deletion of “Councillor Francis” and insertion of “Councillor Asad”.

Page 9 - Agenda item 9.1 “Housing Investment Programme 2008/09 to 2012/13” final bullet: correction of typographical error: Malmsbury Estate to Malmesbury Estate.

Page 14 - Agenda item 11.2 “Children’s and Young People’s Plan (CYPP) Review and 2007 Update” paragraph 4: deletion of “Primary Strategy for Change“ and insertion of “Children’s and Young People’s Plan”.

To receive any deputations or petitions.

Nil items.

The clerk advised that the Acting Assistant Chief Executive had received no requests for deputations or petitions in respect of the business contained in the agenda.

To receive any advice of key issues or questions in relation to the unrestricted business of the Cabinet, arising from the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 1^st July 2008 2008.

The Chair informed members of the Cabinet that Councillor Asad, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, had Tabled a sheet of questions/ comments arising from the deliberations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, held on 1^st July 2008, in respect of the unrestricted business contained in the agenda for consideration, a copy of which would be interleaved with the minutes.

Councillor Asad, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee:-

·                    Thanked Councillor Choudhury, Lead Member Employment and Skills for attending the Overview and Scrutiny Committee the previous evening for the “Scrutiny Spotlight”; outlined the key issues on which this discussion focused and noted that the Lead Member had indicated that he would take forward the suggestions arising.

·                    Also thanked Councillor Peck, Lead Member Resources and Performance for attending the Overview and Scrutiny Committee the previous evening to present the Corporate Complaints and Social Care Complaints Annual Report. Councillor Asad outlined the key issues on which this discussion focused including a disproportionate  number of complaints from BME Communities and a high number of complaints in relation to assessment decisions by adult services and housing technical services, and informed members of the Cabinet that the Committee considered an action plan was needed to mitigate this phenomena.

·                    Informed members of the Cabinet that he had nothing to add to the questions/ comments raised by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, as set out in the tabled paper regarding: -

o                   Agenda item 6.1 “Food Law Enforcement Plan” (CAB 012/089)

o                   Agenda item 7.1 “Recommissioning Linkage Plus” (CAB 013/089)

o                   Agenda item 8.1 “London Thames Gateway Development Corporation Draft Bromley by Bow Land Use Design Brief” (CAB 014/089)

o                   Agenda item 12.1 “Housing Revenue Account Provisional Outturn Report 2007/08” (CAB 016/089)

The Chair thanked Councillor Asad for presenting the contribution of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee; and then Moved and it was: -

Resolved

That the questions and comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee be noted, and that these be given consideration during the Cabinet deliberation of the items of business to which the questions and comments related.

(Under provisions of Article 6 Para 6.02 V of the Constitution).

At the point of reprographic processing of this agenda the Acting Assistant Chief Executive had not received any requests to ‘call in’ any of the provisional decisions of the Cabinet, taken at its meeting held on 11^th June 2008, for further consideration by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, at its meeting to be held on 1^st July 2008.

Should any of these provisional decisions be “called in” within the appropriate timescales and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, upon consideration, refer the reports back to the Cabinet for further consideration Members will receive a copy of each report and the decision/ recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at the Cabinet meeting.

Nil items.

The Clerk advised that no provisional decisions made by the Cabinet, at its meeting held on 11^th June 2008, had been “called in” for further consideration by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, at its meeting held on 1^st July 2008, and accordingly none had been referred back to Cabinet for further consideration.

Resolved:

That the Tower Hamlets Food Law Enforcement Plan 2008/2009, attached at Appendix 1 to the report (CAB 012/09), be approved.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR COMMUNITIES, LOCALITIES AND CULTURE

(S. HALSEY)

Head of Trading Standards & Environmental Health (Commercial), Communities, Localities & Culture (C. Perrins)

Environmental Health, Commercial Service Manager, Communities, Localities & Culture, (D. Tolley)

Councillor A. Ali gave notification to the clerk prior to the Cabinet meeting that she had a personal interest in Agenda items 6.1 “Food Law Enforcement Service Plan 2008/2009” on the basis that the report made reference to the Tower Hamlets Primary Care Trust. and Councillor Ali was an employee of the Tower Hamlets Primary Care Trust (partner in general practitioner’s practice in Spitalfields).

Mr Halsey, Corporate Director Communities, Localities and Culture, at the request of the Chair in introducing the report:

·                    Briefly summarised the salient points contained therein:

o                    Drawing particular attention to paragraphs 3.3 and 3.4 which outlined the Authority’s responsibilities in relation to food law and the commercial premises in relation to which this regime was applied.

o                    Highlighting in particular that National Indicator 184 measured the compliance of establishments with food hygiene law and 57% of Tower Hamlets premises were currently compliant and it was intended that this would be increased by 5% in the coming year.

·                    Addressed the matters raised by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, held on 1^st July 2008, in relation to the report; as set out in the tabled sheet of questions and comments presented by the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee earlier in the proceedings.

Mr Tolley, Enviornmental Health Commercial Service Manager – Communities, Localities and Culture, at the request of the Chair, responded to requests for clarification/ assurance, in relation to a number or matters including:-

·                    With reference to Appendix 1, paragraph 4.1.3 and Table 5 contained therein: the budget available to staff for call allowances, in the context of the Authority’s policies promoting low car usage, and steps being taken to reduce this.

·                    With reference to Appendix 1, paragraph 6.15.1: the usage of agency staff and if due to shortage of adequately qualified staff, the steps being taken to mitigate reliance on these.

·                    With reference to Appendix 1, paragraph 2.1.2 inclusion of Mile End Park and Weavers Fields in community events detailed.

·                    With reference to the take up of training referred to in the report: nature, availability, promotion of training.

·                    With reference to Appendix 1 page 54: specification of young workers in relation to which data being collected.

·                    With reference to paragraph 12.1 “Sustainable Action for a Greener Environment”, and the context of the importance of recycling and waste management to the recently adopted Local Area Agreement, the ways in which the Authority was currently promoting the reduction of food waste and how this could be taken forward.

Councillor Ullah, Lead Member Cleaner, Safer, Greener, in welcoming the report and thanking the officer team for their contribution to its production:-

·                    Commented upon the prevalence of fast food outlets in High Street 2012, expressed concern that this encouraged an unhealthy lifestyle, primarily amongst young people, and requested that officers explore the options for limiting an expansion in their numbers and instead maintaining an appropriate mix of commercial premises.

·                    Considered that the availability of food and refreshments was needed at large and lengthy events, but  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.1

Resolved:

1.         That a limited tender process be conducted for the coordination of the LinkAge Plus organisation;

2.         That the Corporate Director Adults Health and Wellbeing be authorised to agree the contract with the successful organisation; and

3.         That authorisation be given pursuant to Procurement Procedures paragraph 2.1.1 (b) for an exception to the general provisions of paragraphs 2.5.1 (requirement for 6  tenders) and 2.5.2 (requirement for public notice) of the Procedures in respect of the procurement process for this contract.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, ADULTS HEALTH AND WELLBEING (J. GOLDUP)

Service Head Commissioning and Strategy, Adults Health and Wellbeing (H. Taylor)

Service Manager Commissioning, Adults Health and Wellbeing (B. Disney)

Councillor A. Ali gave notification to the clerk prior to the Cabinet meeting that she had a personal interest in Agenda items 7.1 “Recommissioning LinkAge Plus” on the basis that the report made reference to the Tower Hamlets Primary Care Trust. and Councillor Ali was an employee of the Tower Hamlets Primary Care Trust (partner in general practitioner’s practice in Spitalfields).

Ms Taylor, Service Head Commissioning & Strategy, Adults Health and Wellbeing, at the request of the Chair in introducing the report:-

·                    Briefly summarised the salient points contained therein highlighting in particular:

o                    The Authority’s success as one of eight local authorities nationally piloting the Link Age Plus Programme.

o                    The proposal that the Authority and the Tower Hamlets Primary Care Trust mainstream the funding for the project after the pilot phase, funded from other sources, completed.

o                    Efficiency savings expected from the new governance and management model for the contract re-commissioning the service.

·                    Addressed the matters raised by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, held on 1^st July 2008, in relation to the report; as set out in the tabled sheet of questions and comments presented by the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee earlier in the proceedings. Ms Taylor undertook to provide Members with written details of contract monitoring arrangements.

Ms Taylor, Service Head Commissioning & Strategy, Adults Health and Wellbeing,  at the request of the Chair, responded to requests for clarification/ assurance, in relation to a number or matters including:-

·                    Whether client side arrangements for the verification and assessment of the performance of the contractor side in relation to the provision of this service had been robust.

·                    The outcome of a tender exercise, in relation to the future contract for this service provision, limited to the current five contractor side organisations, would be their delivery of the same service as currently provided.

·                    Whether the four organisations which did not win the contract for coordination of the contract would have sufficient funding under the consortia arrangements to operate a project of the same capacity.

·                    Whether each of the five organisations currently operating the scheme would be in place after the tender exercise was complete.

·                    Whether the other seven pilot local authorities were allocating their resources to mainstream the project.

The Chair Moved and it was: -

Resolved:

1.         That a limited tender process be conducted for the coordination of the LinkAge Plus organisation;

2.         That the Corporate Director Adults Health and Wellbeing be authorised to agree the contract with the successful organisation; and

3.         That authorisation be given pursuant to Procurement Procedures paragraph 2.1.1 (b) for an exception to the general provisions of paragraphs 2.5.1 (requirement for 6  tenders) and 2.5.2 (requirement for public notice) of the Procedures in respect of the procurement process for this contract.

Resolved:

1.         That the Draft Bromley-by-Bow Land Use and Design Brief, attached at Appendix 2 to the report (CAB 014/089) be approved for a 12 week period of statutory consultation to be carried out jointly between the Council and London Thames Gateway Development Corporation prior to its approval by the Authority as ‘Interim Planning Guidance’; and

2.         That the Corporate Director Development and Renewal be authorised, after consultation with the Lead Member Housing and Development, to make any appropriate and necessary minor amendments to the Bromley-by-Bow Land Use and Design Brief prior to statutory consultation from August 2008. 

Action by

INTERIM CORPORATE DIRECTOR – DEVELOPMENT AND RENEWAL (P. EVANS)

Service Head Major Project Development, Development and Renewal (O. Whalley)

Development Manager – Development Design and Conservation, Development and Renewal (D. Williams)

Major Projects Development Planner, Development and Renewal (S. Williams)

Councillor O. Ahmeddeclared a personal interest in Agenda item 8.1 “London Thames Gateway Development Corporation, Draft Bromley-by-Bow Land Use Design Brief”. The declaration of interest was made on the basis that the report contained recommendations relating to the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation and Councillor Ahmed was a representative of the Authority on the governing body of the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation.

Mr Whalley, Service Head Major Project Development - Development and Renewal, at the request of the Chair, in introducing the report; briefly summarised salient points contained therein, and addressed the matters raised by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, held on 1^st July 2008, in relation to the report; as set out in the tabled sheet of questions and comments presented by the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee earlier in the proceedings.

A detailed discussion followed, during which the proposals were broadly welcomed for their potential to bring forward a good neighbourhood in an area of disuse, and which focused on the following issues:-

·                    Consideration that in the context of the large number of people on the Authority’s housing waiting list and the acknowledged levels of overcrowding in the Borough that targets for affordable housing and family housing should be as ambitious as possible and all necessary steps be taken to encourage property developers to maximise the potential for this mix of accommodation. It was also considered that this message should be conveyed to the relevant planning authority in relation to proposed level of single and luxury housing units for the Olympic Village.

·                    Noted that the draft land use design brief was congruent with the sensitivity required in terms of development parameters, such as height density and good design, in areas sensitive to development such as the historic Three Mills Conservation Area; particularly in the context of current poor design in the vicinity of Twelve Trees and Bow Flyover.

·                    Considered that It was important to emphasise the Borough’s Interim Planning Guidance required any new development to include:

o                   Between 35 to 50% affordable housing

o                   25% of private housing for larger units larger units and 45% of social rented and intermediate housing for larger units (3+ beds)

and the proposals were in accord with these requirements.

·                    Considered that it was important to emphasise that developments should be consistent with the Brief and not comprise more than eight storeys.

·                    Noted that the draft land use design brief was consistent with the Authority’s Bromley by Bow Masterplan.

·                    Considered that although the objectives of the draft land use design brief were laudable these were not sufficiently connected and there was a lack of synergy and community focus.

·                    Concern that the new primary school provision to be secured from redevelopment of the site, which was located to the east of the A12, was the designated provision for any residential development to take place on the St Andrew’s Hospital Site, located to the west of the A12. Concern also that the only firm proposals in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.1

Nil items.

Nil items.

The Clerk advised that there were no business to be considered under this section of the agenda.

Resolved:

1.         That the outturn position for 2007/2008 and the underspend of £6.2m against approved service budgets be noted;

2.         That the technical target adjustment as detailed in Appendix A and      explained in Section 6 of the report (CAB 015/089) be agreed;

3.                  That the Directorates’ outturn and explanation for variances as detailed in Appendices B1-7 to the report (CAB 015/089) be noted;

4.         That subject to (a) below the requests for carry forwards detailed in paragraph 5.1 of the report (CAB 015/089) be agreed;

(a)    That the following carry forwards set out in the table contained within paragraph 5.1 of the report not be agreed and that these be the subject of a further report submitted for the consideration of the Cabinet at its next meeting:

·              Childrens Services - Re valuation on school properties resulting in National Non Domestic Rate (NNDR) rebate carried forward £134, 000.

·              Corporate – PC Refresh £224,000

5.         That the transfers to earmarked reserves detailed in the Directorate reports and summarised at paragraph 5.2 of the report (CAB 015/089) be agreed;

6.                  That the efficiency statement for 2007/08 at paragraph 8.1 and Appendix D of the report (CAB 015/089) be noted;

7.                  That, in respect of the 2008/09 budget, £390,000 be allocated from the contingency established for the purpose of providing an increase in the budget for Child Care Court Costs, as set out in Section 7 of the report (CAB 015/089);

8.         That the performance information for the year to 31^st March 2008 [as set out in Section 9 of the report (CAB 015/089)] be noted; and

9.                  That the Revenue Collection data for the year to 31^st March 2008 [as set out in Section 10 of the report (CAB 015/089)] be noted.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR RESOURCES (C. NAYLOR)

Service Head Corporate Finance, Resources (A. Finch)

Financial Planning & Systems Manager, Resources (M. McGrath)

Performance Manager, Resources (L. Sutton)

Mr Finch, Service Head Corporate Finance – Resources, at the request of the Chair, in introducing the report summarised the salient points contained therein, and also advising members of the Cabinet that:-

·                    A further report would be submitted to the next meeting of the Cabinet, due to be held on 30^th July 2008, regarding the annual financial review process which would comprise figures set out in the report contained in the agenda before them together with an assessment of the financial risks and pressures facing the Authority. Mr Finch also commented that the Authority’s Budgetary performance to date placed it in a positive position to deal with these.

·                    Paragraph 7.2 of the report contained a typographical error and the figure should read £504,000 not £514,000 and therefore that in 2008/09 £10,000 less was available to the Authority for Child Care Court Costs than indicated.

Councillor Peck, Lead Member Resources and Performance, with reference to paragraph 5.1 of the report and the tabled contained therein setting out directorate requests for carry forward of 2007/08 funding to 2008/09, commented that he required clarification as to:

·                    Why it was necessary to carry forward funding in the Childrens Services Budget relating to the revaluation on school properties resulting in National Non Domestic Rate (NNDR) rebate.

·                    The capacity to deliver the Corporate PC Refresh programme for the sum indicated.

Accordingly Councillor Peck proposed an amendment to the recommendation set out in paragraph 2.4 of the report, for the consideration of members of the Cabinet, as follows:-

“That the following carry forwards set out in the table contained within paragraph 5.1 of the report not be agreed, and that these be the subject of a further report submitted for the consideration of the Cabinet at its next meeting:

o                    Childrens Services - Re valuation on school properties resulting in National Non Domestic Rate (NNDR) rebate carried forward £134, 000.

o                    Corporate – PC Refresh £224,000.”

Councillor Peck, Lead Member Resources and Performance:

·                    With reference to paragraph 10.1 of the report and the table relating to data collection contained therein, expressed concern regarding the indicated percentage collection rate for 2007/08 debt relating to major works and service charges.

·                    With reference to Appendix D “Efficiency Return – Backward Look 2007/08” to the report, commented that of the 2007/08 efficiency savings, agreed by the Cabinet, approximately £350,000 had not been delivered.  These savings could be technically offset by under spends in directorate budgets elsewhere; however, had the agreed efficiency savings also been delivered the Authority’s financial position would be that much stronger.  Councillor Peck further commented that examination and agreement of budget savings was a long, detailed and difficult process for all concerned, and expressed, on behalf of members of the Cabinet, their expectation that should the agreed 2007/08 efficiency savings not be delivered that they be rolled forward to 2008/09.

Ms McEleney, Director of Housing Management, undertook to examine the 2007/08 service charge debt collection rate indicated in the report as this appeared incorrect, and to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.1

The Clerk advised that there were no business to be considered under this section of the agenda.

Resolved:

1.         That the 2007/8 provisional outturn for the Housing Revenue Account be noted; and

2.                  That in the context of the identified increase in the level of Housing Revenue Account reserves, by in excess of £4 million, the Interim Corporate Director Development and Renewal after consultation with the Lead Member Housing and Development submit a further report to Cabinet, at the earliest opportunity, bringing forward costed proposals that accord with the priorities of the Cabinet to deliver early improvements in frontline housing services.

Action by:

INTERIM CORPORATE DIRECTOR – DEVELOPMENT AND RENEWAL (P. EVANS)

Service Head Resources, Development & Renewal (C. Holme)

Finance Manager, Development & Renewal (P. Leeson)

Mr Holme, Service Head Resources - Development and Renewal, at the request of the Chair, in introducing the report; summarised salient points contained therein, and addressed the matters raised by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, held on 1^st July 2008, in relation to the report; as set out in the tabled sheet of questions and comments presented by the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee earlier in the proceedings.

Councillor Francis, Lead Member Housing and Development:

·                    Commented that the outturn in the 2007/08 Housing Revenue Account (HRA), an under spend in excess of £4 million, was a reflection of the achievement of value for money and containing expenditure within the allocated budget by the Authority’s Housing department, but also indicated a need to work harder to identify and mitigate, at an earlier juncture, any such future under spend.

·                    Informed members of the Cabinet that there were two options with regard to the identified under spend in the 2007/08 HRA. Firstly to add these resources to the HRA balances making further provision for unforeseen risks in future years; to “bank now and invest later”. Secondly to recognise that the resources had been derived from tenant rents and leaseholder service charges and that these be invested for their benefit at the earliest opportunity “invest now”. 

·                    Considered the latter option to be preferable, and accordingly proposed the following additional recommendation, to that contained in paragraph 2.1 of the report, for the consideration of members of the Cabinet:-

“That in the context of the identified increase in the level of Housing Revenue Account reserves, by in excess of £4 million, the Interim Corporate Director Development and Renewal after consultation with the Lead Member Housing and Development submit a further report to Cabinet, at the earliest opportunity, bringing forward costed proposals that accord with the priorities of the Cabinet to deliver early improvements in frontline housing services.”

·                    Outlined the priorities of the Cabinet for early improvement in frontline housing services as follows:-

o              Developing the Estate Improvement Programme to deliver transformational change to local environments including painting, cleaning and landscaping.

o              A programme to achieve improved block and estate security.

o              Relieving overcrowding through small scale adaptions to flats and ancillary spaces, such as knock-throughs. Also through further incentivisation of tenants to take up smaller units or home ownership (enhanced resourcing of the Cash Incentive Grant) thereby freeing up more family accommodation.

o              Adaption of homes to better meet the needs of disabled residents.

o              Additional work be undertaken to achieve value for money in relation to leaseholder service charges and an additional rebate be brought forward in relation to the level of service provided to leaseholders in 2007/08

·                    Concluded by informing members of the Cabinet that he was pleased to report that the Department of Communities and Local Government had now given consent for the Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO), also known as Tower Hamlets Homes, to go live on 7^th July 2008; adding that much work had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.1

Resolved:

That the exercise of Corporate Directors’ discretions, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report (CAB 016/089), be noted.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR RESOURCES (C. NAYLOR)

Capital and Investments ManagerCorporate Accounting, Resources

(J. Ricketts)

The Chair Moved and it was: -

Resolved:

That the exercise of Corporate Directors’ discretions, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report (CAB 016/089), be noted.

In view of the contents of the remaining items on the agenda, the Committee is recommended to adopt the following motion:

“That, under the provisions of Section 100A of the Local Government Act, 1972 as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act, 1985, the Press and Public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting for the consideration of the Section Two business on the grounds that it contains information defined as Exempt in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government, Act 1972”.

EXEMPT/CONFIDENTIAL SECTION (PINK)

The agenda circulated contained no Section Two business (business containing information defined as exempt or confidential in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government, Act 1972. There was therefore no requirement to exclude the press and public, under the provisions of Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985, to allow for consideration of such business prior to the conclusion of the meeting.

The agenda circulated contained no Section Two business (business containing information defined as exempt or confidential in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government, Act 1972. There was therefore no requirement to exclude the press and public, under the provisions of Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985, to allow for consideration of such business prior to the conclusion of the meeting.

SUMMARY OF EXEMPT/ CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS

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(Under provisions of Article 6 Para 6.02 V of the Constitution).

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