Apologies for absence were received on behalf of the Mayor, Councillor Ohid Ahmed (Cabinet Member for Community Safety),  Councillor Alibor Choudhury (Cabinet Member for Resources), Robin Beattie (Service Head, Strategy and Resources) and Aman Dalvi (Corporate Director, Development and Renewal).

The Deputy Mayor stated that as the Mayor was unavoidably absent, he would be Chairing the meeting and determining the reports presented. This was in line with Paragraph 1(7) of Schedule A1 of the Local Government Act 2000 which provided that ‘If for any reason the elected Mayor is unable to act…, the deputy mayor must act in the in the elected Mayor’s place.”

None were declared.

The unrestricted minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday 4 February 2015 are presented for information (to follow).

The unrestricted minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 4 February 2015 were noted subject to the addition of Councillor Joshua Peck in the list of attendees.

To receive any petitions.

Threat of Closure of SEN Unit at Cambridge Heath

Sarah Jennings presented the petition on behalf of the petitioners who were concerned about the impact on vulnerable young people by a proposal to close the Special Educational Needs (SEN) unit at Cambridge Heath. After a question and answer session with Members, Councillor Oliur Rahman, the Deputy Mayor responded to the points raised. He thanked the petitioners for raising their concerns and he stated that, whilst the ultimate decision rested with the schools, the Council were working hard to try and ensure that the unit was not closed.

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.

Councillor Joshua Peck, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC), provided an update on the Committee’s meeting the previous evening. In particular he reported:

·         The Committee’s disappointment that the Mayor had been unable to attend the meeting as invited and that they had now invited him to the additional OSC meeting on 24 March and also the next regular meeting on 7 April.

·         There had been a good discussion on a report on the cleaning and waste contracts that highlighted a disconnect between Member and officer views on the cleanliness of the Borough.

·         There had also been a session looking at homelessness.

·         The Committee had examined the Best Value plan. There were particular concerns about organisational culture and lack of trust and whether they would be sufficiently addressed, but it was noted the plan was a work in progress.

The Deputy Mayor thanked Councillor Joshua Peck for his update.

DECISION

1.      To agree to amend the Allocations Scheme to provide capacity to place homeless applicants on autobid in the circumstances set out in section 4.10 – 4.14 of the report.

2.      To authorise the Corporate Director Development Renewal to set quotas for the proportion of lets to be made to homeless households.

3.      To agree the revised priority target groups for the Lettings Plan set out in section 5.3 of this report.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT AND RENEWAL (A. DALVI)

(Service Head, Housing Options (C. Cormack)

Councillor Rabina Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing and Development, introduced the report. She highlighted the changes since the last time the plan had been agreed. She also noted the discussions taking place at the Overview and Scrutiny in relation to homeless families.

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

RESOLVED

1.      To agree to amend the Allocations Scheme to provide capacity to place homeless applicants on autobid in the circumstances set out in section 4.10 – 4.14 of the report.

2.      To authorise the Corporate Director Development Renewal to set quotas for the proportion of lets to be made to homeless households.

3.      To agree the revised priority target groups for the Lettings Plan set out in section 5.3 of this report.

DECISION

1.            To confirm the transfer to Swan Housing at nil consideration, of the following land interests acquired under Compulsory Purchase Order, for the purpose of delivering the Crossways Regeneration Scheme (Single Regeneration Budget 6):

·                No. 10 Hackworth Point, Rainhill Way, E3 3ET;

·                No. 91 Hackworth Point , Rainhill Way, E3 3EX;

·                No's. 6,12,16,26,31 Mallard Point, Rainhill Way E3 3JE;

·                No's  53,56,59,68,91 Mallard Point Rainhill Way, E3 3JF

2.            To note that any transfer of property to Swan will require the consent of the Commissioners appointed by the Secretary of State.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT AND RENEWAL (A. DALVI)

(Regeneration Schemes Co-ordinator (R. Sager)

Councillor Rabina Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing and Development, introduced the report. It was noted that the Compulsory Purchase Orders had taken place a number of years ago and that this decision was simply to transfer the titles back to Swan Housing.

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

RESOLVED

1.            To confirm the transfer to Swan Housing at nil consideration, of the following land interests acquired under Compulsory Purchase Order, for the purpose of delivering the Crossways Regeneration Scheme (Single Regeneration Budget 6):

·                No. 10 Hackworth Point, Rainhill Way, E3 3ET;

·                No. 91 Hackworth Point , Rainhill Way, E3 3EX;

·                No's. 6,12,16,26,31 Mallard Point, Rainhill Way E3 3JE;

·                No's  53,56,59,68,91 Mallard Point Rainhill Way, E3 3JF

2.            To note that any transfer of property to Swan will require the consent of the Commissioners appointed by the Secretary of State.

DECISION

1.            To agree the arrangements and oversubscription criteria for admission to Community Nursery Schools/Classes in 2016/17, as set out in Appendix 1.

2.            To agree the arrangements, oversubscription criteria and catchment areas for admission to Community Primary Schools in 2016/17, as set out in Appendices 2 and 3.

3.            To agree the arrangements and oversubscription criteria for admission to Community Secondary Schools in 2016/17, as set out in Appendix 4.

4.            To agree the schemes for co-ordinating admissions to the Reception Year of primary school and Year 7 of secondary school for 2016/17, as set out in Appendix 5.

5.            To agree the scheme for co-ordinating ‘In-Year’ Admissions for 2016/17, as set out in Appendix 6.

6.            To agree the planned admission number for each School in Tower Hamlets in 2016/17, as set out in Appendix 7.

Action by:

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

Robert McCulloch-Graham, Corporate Director, Education Social Care and Wellbeing introduced the report highlighting that this was an annual report to Cabinet setting out the school admission arrangements.

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

RESOLVED

1.            To agree the arrangements and oversubscription criteria for admission to Community Nursery Schools/Classes in 2016/17, as set out in Appendix 1.

2.            To agree the arrangements, oversubscription criteria and catchment areas for admission to Community Primary Schools in 2016/17, as set out in Appendices 2 and 3.

3.            To agree the arrangements and oversubscription criteria for admission to Community Secondary Schools in 2016/17, as set out in Appendix 4.

4.            To agree the schemes for co-ordinating admissions to the Reception Year of primary school and Year 7 of secondary school for 2016/17, as set out in Appendix 5.

5.            To agree the scheme for co-ordinating ‘In-Year’ Admissions for 2016/17, as set out in Appendix 6.

6.            To agree the planned admission number for each School in Tower Hamlets in 2016/17, as set out in Appendix 7.

Nil items.

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DECISION

1.    To agree to the continued commissioning of the services outlined in the report.

2.    To agree the proposal to commence consultation around the decommissioning of the Harbour Recovery Centre.

3.    To note a reduced funding envelope  for drug / alcohol treatment services in the borough.

4.    To authorise the commencement of the treatment system procurement exercise.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, COMMUNITIES, LOCALITIES AND CULTURE (S. HALSEY)

(Service Head, Community Service (A. Bamber)

(DAAT Co-ordinator (R. Sadegh)

Andy Bamber, Service Head, Community Service, introduced the commissioning intentions update report. He referred Members back to the previous Cabinet decision but stated a different approach was required for two services.

In response to questions, officers replied that the majority of savings required from the public health grant could be made without impacting on service users and in fact that service users should see an improved service through the new procurement. It was also noted that the Tower Hamlets Health and Wellbeing Board had considered this issue.

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

RESOLVED

1.    To agree to the continued commissioning of the services outlined in the report.

2.    To agree the proposal to commence consultation around the decommissioning of the Harbour Recovery Centre.

3.    To note a reduced funding envelope  for drug / alcohol treatment services in the borough.

4.    To authorise the commencement of the treatment system procurement exercise.

DECISION

1.    To agree the Digital Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan (Appendix 1).

2.    To note the partnership approach and consultation activity, outlined in section 3, which has helped develop the Digital Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan (Appendix 1);

Action by:

ACTING CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (C. HOLME)

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

(Strategy, Policy and Performance Officer (E. Kuper-Thomas)

Councillor Aminur Khan, Cabinet Member for Policy, Strategy and Performance, introduced the report. He highlighted that there had been thorough discussions with Cabinet Members and that comments had been fed into the report.

During discussion it was noted that this strategy had the potential to reduce the isolation of elderly and vulnerable residents and improve independent living chances.

The Deputy Mayor welcomed the report and agreed the recommendations as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To agree the Digital Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan (Appendix 1).

2.    To note the partnership approach and consultation activity, outlined in section 3, which has helped develop the Digital Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan (Appendix 1);

DECISION

1.    To confirm that all reports listed in Appendix 1 to the report can proceed to contract award after tender subject to the relevant Corporate Director who holds the budget for the service area consulting with the Mayor and the relevant Lead Member prior to contract award.

2.    To authorise the Head of Legal Services to execute all necessary contract documents in respect of the awards of contracts referred to at Recommendation 1 above.

Action by:

ACTING CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (C. HOLME)

(Head of Procurement (Z. Ahmed)

Chris Holme, Acting Corporate Director, Resources, introduced the regular contracts forward plan report. He confirmed that the Cabinet Member for Resources had been consulted on the report. A minor correction was noted that the planned invitation to tender date for the Domiciliary and Personal Care Support contract should be February 2016 and not 2015.

The Deputy Mayor agreed that all contracts could progress as planned.

RESOLVED

1.    To confirm that all reports listed in Appendix 1 to the report can proceed to contract award after tender subject to the relevant Corporate Director who holds the budget for the service area consulting with the Mayor and the relevant Lead Member prior to contract award.

2.    To authorise the Head of Legal Services to execute all necessary contract documents in respect of the awards of contracts referred to at Recommendation 1 above.

The Deputy Mayor noted the tabled amendments.

DECISION

1. To approve the Best Value plans in relation to Property and Communications;

2. To approve the Publicity Plan

3. To note the remaining Best Value Plans.

Action by:

HEAD OF PAID SERVICE (S. HALSEY)

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

Stephen Halsey, Head of Paid Service, introduced the report. Members attention was drawn to the tabled report which was an update on the version contained in the agenda. It was explained that all the Best Value Plans had been seen by the Commissioners and that it was for the Mayor to agree those in relation to Property, Communications and the Publicity Plan.

It was emphasised that this was the first iteration of the plan and that it would change and develop over time. The Mayor, Members of the Executive and of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee were thanked for their contributions. Members would be kept informed of any changes to the plans.

The Deputy Mayor welcomed the report. On the issue of trust between officers and Members he asked that it be stated that he considered that officers displayed the highest standards of trust.

RESOLVED

1. To approve the Best Value plans in relation to Property and Communications;

2. To approve the Publicity Plan

3. To note the remaining Best Value Plans.

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No motion to exclude the press and public was passed.

No motion to exclude the press and public was passed.

The exempt / confidential minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday 4 February 2015 are presented for information (to follow).

The exempt/confidential minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 4 February 2015 were noted.

The exempt/confidential minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 4 February 2015 were noted.

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