There were no apologies for absence.

No declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests were made.

The unrestricted minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 5 November 2014 are presented for information.

The unrestricted minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 5 November 2014 were noted.

To receive any petitions.

Petition against proposals to close nursery provision

The petitioners addressed the Cabinet meeting raising their concerns over the impact of the proposals on nursery provision in particular for children with disabilities. They asked if parents could be more involved in the running of the nurseries. The Cabinet discussed the issues raised and the Mayor responded to the points raised in the petition. In particular he confirmed that in light of the representations made, that the proposals would be withdrawn. He also asked officers to make contact with the parents to discuss their concerns in general.

RESOLVED

1.    That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Education, Social Care and Wellbeing for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.

Pre-Scrutiny Questions in relation to Items on the agenda.

Councillor Joshua Peck, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC), tabled a number of pre-scrutiny questions in relation to items on the agenda. Lead Members and officers responded to each question during consideration of the respective items. He also provided an update on the OSC meeting held the previous evening. In particular he highlighted that:

·         The Committee were disappointed that the Mayor had been unable to attend the meeting.

·         There had been a useful Spotlight Session with One Housing Group (OHG) where the Committee had been able to explore in some detail concerns about repairs, the attitude to residents and more. He welcomed OHG statements in relation to issues such as the London Living Wage and affordable rents.

·         He thanked Councillor Rabina Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing and Development for her contribution to the debate with OHG.

·         The Committee were disappointed that the report on the Judicial Review (JR) of the Best Value Review was not available as they wanted to learn who took the decision to JR the Review.

·         The Committee had decided to ask the expected Commissioners appointed by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to support the Scrutiny function of the Council.

·         There had been a good discussion about the election commissioners report and on the location of the count at the next elections.

The Mayor thanked Councillor Joshua Peck for his update. He apologised for not attending the meeting stating this was due to a misunderstanding on timings but that he did intend to come to an OSC meeting.

Nil items.

DECISION

1. To note the contents of this report;

2. To agree that the land and buildings at Whitehorse Road/Commercial Road (as shown in the map in Appendix A) are surplus to requirement;

3. To agree to the disposal of the site by informal tender;

4. To authorise officers to appoint external agents to support the marketing of the site;

5. To authorise the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal to accept the best tender return for the site on conclusion of the marketing exercise; and

6.    To authorise the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal, following consultation with the Service Head – Legal Services, to agree the terms and conditions of any agreements required to implement the recommendations above.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT AND RENEWAL (A. DALVI)

(Service Head, Corporate Property and Capital Delivery (A. Sutcliffe)

Councillor Alibor Choudhury, Cabinet Member for Resources introduced the report relating to the disposal of assets that were surplus to requirement. During discussion, officers confirmed that there was a lot of work to do to prepare the sites for sale and that should Commissioners be appointed, the final decision would be taken to them.

The Mayor agreed the recommendations as set out in the report.

RESOLVED

1. To note the contents of this report;

2. To agree that the land and buildings at Whitehorse Road/Commercial Road (as shown in the map in Appendix A) are surplus to requirement;

3. To agree to the disposal of the site by informal tender;

4. To authorise officers to appoint external agents to support the marketing of the site;

5. To authorise the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal to accept the best tender return for the site on conclusion of the marketing exercise; and

6.    To authorise the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal, following consultation with the Service Head – Legal Services, to agree the terms and conditions of any agreements required to implement the recommendations above.

DECISION

1.    To approve the draft South Quay Masterplan SPD (contained in Appendix 1 to the report) for statutory public consultation.

2.    To authorise the Corporate Director of Development and Renewal, after consultation with the Lead Member for Housing, Development and Renewal, to make any necessary and appropriate minor amendments to the draft South Quay Masterplan SPD, prior to the statutory public consultation.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT AND RENEWAL (A. DALVI)

(Team Leader Plan Making (M. Ryan-Hernandez)

Councillor Rabina Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing and Development, introduced the report. She highlighted that this proposal would allow the Council to go out for consultation on the Plan.

During debate, Members discussed the importance of getting the right final plan. Particular issues raised included:

·         How to ensure relevant infrastructure such as schools, open spaces and shopping were provided for as well as housing.

·         The need to link the Plan to other relevant planning guidance.

·         Concerns about off-site development of social housing.

·         How to better work in partnership with local bodies such as Canary Wharf.

The Mayor commended officers for their hard work on this project and on general on their efforts to secure affordable housing. He assured everyone that the Council was looking to secure as many benefits out of developers as possible. He then agreed the recommendations as set out in the report.

RESOLVED

1.    To approve the draft South Quay Masterplan SPD (contained in Appendix 1 to the report) for statutory public consultation.

2.    To authorise the Corporate Director of Development and Renewal, after consultation with the Lead Member for Housing, Development and Renewal, to make any necessary and appropriate minor amendments to the draft South Quay Masterplan SPD, prior to the statutory public consultation.

DECISION

1. To note that a ten-year lease with Relta Ltd for the use of 34 properties within Tower Hamlets, currently used as temporary accommodation for homeless households is due to expire on 1 June 2015.

2. To agree to a renewal of the lease for a period of five years at an estimated gross cost of £3.7million, with the option to extend for a further five years, and subject to agreement on Heads of Terms.

3. To authorise the Head of Service, Housing Options to agree revised Heads of Terms or, if satisfactory Heads of Terms cannot be agreed, to return vacant possession of the 34 properties to Relta Ltd.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT AND RENEWAL (A. DALVI)

(Service Manager, Housing Options and Procurement (C. Cormack)

Councillor Rabina Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing and Development, introduced the report. She highlighted the difficulty in finding temporary accommodation but stated that these properties were habitable. She called on the government to improve its support in this area.

The Mayor welcomed the report. He proposed one amendment to the recommendations stating that any decision for a further five year extension must be in consultation with the Mayor and Lead Member.

RESOLVED

1. To note that a ten-year lease with Relta Ltd for the use of 34 properties within Tower Hamlets, currently used as temporary accommodation for homeless households is due to expire on 1 June 2015.

2. To agree to a renewal of the lease for a period of five years at an estimated gross cost of £3.7million, with the option to extend for a further five years (in consultation with the Mayor and Lead Member), and subject to agreement on Heads of Terms.

3. To authorise the Head of Service, Housing Options to agree revised Heads of Terms or, if satisfactory Heads of Terms cannot be agreed, to return vacant possession of the 34 properties to Relta Ltd.

This report was withdrawn from the agenda.

DECISION

1.    To note the 2014 Local Authority Education Results.

2.    To support the proposed strategy for raising performance in the areas identified below:

a.    plan carefully for the introduction of the two year old health and learning check to ensure any early help needed with cognitive development is identified and planed for;

b.    continue to work with the full range of Early Years’ providers to ensure two to four year olds receive the best possible start;

c.    continue to support schools to share good practice in pedagogy, particularly related to literacy and higher order academic writing in order to  improve the attainment of the most able pupils at all key stages;

d.    work with any school that has significantly underachieved to improve standards through effective data analysis and improved teaching and learning strategies;

e.    provide continued support and guidance to sixth forms to offer good transition plans from KS4 into KS5;

f.     continue to promote information advice and guidance for access to Russell group and Oxbridge and high quality apprenticeships, hence contributing to the borough’s employment strategy.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, EDUCATION, SOCIAL CARE AND WELLBEING (R. McCULLOCH-GRAHAM)

(Service Head, Learning and Achievement (A. Canning)

Councillor Gulam Robbani, Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services, introduced the report. He highlighted the national dip in GCSE results and also reported on good results in Tower Hamlets, particularly at A-level and early years.

During discussion Members highlighted that educational attainment was a priority for the Council and asked that officers ensure any dips in performance were tackled.

The Mayor thanked Members for their contribution to the debate and confirmed his commitment to education. He highlighted the benefit of the Council’s investment in this area and agreed the recommendations as set out in the report.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the 2014 Local Authority Education Results.

2.    To support the proposed strategy for raising performance in the areas identified below:

a.    plan carefully for the introduction of the two year old health and learning check to ensure any early help needed with cognitive development is identified and planed for;

b.    continue to work with the full range of Early Years’ providers to ensure two to four year olds receive the best possible start;

c.    continue to support schools to share good practice in pedagogy, particularly related to literacy and higher order academic writing in order to  improve the attainment of the most able pupils at all key stages;

d.    work with any school that has significantly underachieved to improve standards through effective data analysis and improved teaching and learning strategies;

e.    provide continued support and guidance to sixth forms to offer good transition plans from KS4 into KS5;

f.     continue to promote information advice and guidance for access to Russell group and Oxbridge and high quality apprenticeships, hence contributing to the borough’s employment strategy.

Nil items.

Nil items.

Nil items.

Nil items.

DECISION

1.    To agree the Tower Hamlets Single Equality Framework 2014/15.

Action by:

HEAD OF PAID SERVICE (S. HALSEY)

(Service Head, Strategy and Equality (L. Russell)

Councillor Aminur Khan, Cabinet Member for Policy, Strategy and Performance, introduced the report. He highlighted the successful reassessment against the ‘excellent’ level of the Equality Framework for Local Government. He also drew Members’ attention to the information in the report about areas of improvement and the plans to tackle those issues that had been identified.

The Mayor welcomed the report and agreed the recommendation as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To agree the Tower Hamlets Single Equality Framework 2014/15.

DECISION

1.    To note the changes to the draft budget position for 2015/16;

2.    To agree the package of savings proposals for 2015/16 detailed in Appendix 1 to the report, taking into account the equality analyses set out in Appendix 2;

3.    To agree that further business case refinement and consultation can be carried out on the proposals where necessary;

4.    To consider the responses to consultation on savings proposals set out in Section 10 and included, as appropriate, in equality analyses;

5.    To note the early indications of the financial position 2016/17 onwards, subject to the Autumn Statement and Local Government Finance Settlement;

6.    To note that the financial position is subject to volatility and that developments in Government policy and their implications on MTFP planning assumptions will be monitored closely and reported back at regular intervals.

Action by:

ACTING CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (C. HOLME)

Councillor Alibor Choudhury, Cabinet Member for Resources, introduced the report. He highlighted the significant savings targets required of the Council and the consequent savings proposals contained in the report. Looking at the report in more detail he highlighted a number of points including:

·         The principles of looking to protect the vulnerable and to create a lean and flexible Council.

·         The Equality Impact Assessments provided in relation to the savings proposals.

·         The extended consultation process, including meetings and user group events that had taken place and that over 450 surveys had been completed.

·         The useful discussion session held with Overview and Scrutiny (OSC) Members and that there were more meetings with OSC Members planned.

·         That the Mayor had stated the nursery proposal was not going to proceed and that other proposals were also being reviewed.

·         The risks as set out in the report.

During discussion Councillor Alibor Choudhury stressed that the reports were draft proposals and so where Members had concerns, such as in relation to recycling education, these could be addressed.

The Mayor agreed the recommendations as set out in the report.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the changes to the draft budget position for 2015/16;

2.    To agree the package of savings proposals for 2015/16 detailed in Appendix 1 to the report, taking into account the equality analyses set out in Appendix 2;

3.    To agree that further business case refinement and consultation can be carried out on the proposals where necessary;

4.    To consider the responses to consultation on savings proposals set out in Section 10 and included, as appropriate, in equality analyses;

5.    To note the early indications of the financial position 2016/17 onwards, subject to the Autumn Statement and Local Government Finance Settlement;

6.    To note that the financial position is subject to volatility and that developments in Government policy and their implications on MTFP planning assumptions will be monitored closely and reported back at regular intervals.

Nil items.

DECISION

1.    To note the exercise of Corporate Directors’ discretions as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

Action by:

ACTING CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (C. HOLME)

(Financial Planning Manager (E. Hussain)

The Mayor reviewed the report and agreed the recommendation as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the exercise of Corporate Directors’ discretions as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

RESOLVED

That pursuant to regulation 21(1)(b) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2000, the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting:

(a)  As it was likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted in Section Two of the agenda, that if members of the public were present during consideration of this business there would be disclosure of exempt information.

• Exempt information is defined in section 100I and, by reference, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (“the 1972 Act”). To be exempt, information must fall within one of the categories listed in paragraphs 1 to 7 of Schedule 12A, must not fall within one of the excluded categories in paragraphs 8 and 9 and the public interest in maintaining the exemption must outweigh the public interest in disclosing the information.
  • Agenda item 16.1 “Interim Disposals Programme” contained information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). In particular information relating to the financial affairs of the Council.

(b)  As although there is a public interest favouring public access to local authority meetings, in this case the Cabinet concluded that given the information contained in the above listed reports that the  public interest in maintaining the exemption on the information outweighed the public interest in disclosing it.

Nil items.

Nil items.

Nil items.

Nil items.

DECISION

1. To note the capital receipt which may be realised for the site at Whitehorse Lane/Commercial Road (para 3.1).

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT AND RENEWAL (A. DALVI)

(Service Head, Corporate Property and Capital Delivery (A. Sutcliffe)

The Mayor considered the information contained in the report.

RESOLVED

1. To note the capital receipt which may be realised for the site at Whitehorse Lane/Commercial Road (para 3.1).

Nil items.

Nil items.

Nil items.

Nil items.

Nil items.

Nil items.

Nil items.

Nil items.

Nil items.

Nil items.

Nil items.