Members are reminded to consider the categories of interest in the Code of Conduct for Members to determine whether they have an interest in any agenda item and any action they should take. For further details, please see the attached note from the Monitoring Officer.

Members are reminded to declare the nature of the interest and the agenda item it relates to. Please note that ultimately it’s the Members’ responsibility to declare any interests form and to update their register of interest form as required by the Code.

If in doubt as to the nature of your interest, you are advised to seek advice prior to the meeting by contacting the Monitoring Officer or Democratic Services

The following Members for transparency declared a potential interest in relation to:

1.    Item 9 Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions Councillor Marc Francis due to his wife Councillor Rachel Blake being the Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing; and

2.    Item 8.1 Waste and Recycling Report Councillor Denise Jones due to her being the owner a property in Brick Lane.

To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 25/10/2021.

TO FOLLOW.

RESOLVED

That the unrestricted minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 25^th October 2021 be approved as a correct record of the proceedings and the Chair was authorised to sign them accordingly.

Councillor Mohammed Pappu (Chair) provided the Committee with the following update:

The Chair:

v  Informed the Committee that the latest COVID update information from public health had been circulated today.

v  Advised the Committee that (i) he had posted a short video on Twitter to thank the residents for the contribution to the Spotlight session on liveable streets programme at the last meeting; (ii) indicated that it had been a useful and productive discussion and will looked forward to reviewing the progress at a future date; (iii) had also written to Mayor Biggs on this subject putting forward the Committee's recommendations on the Liveable Streets Programme and shared these recommendations with Lead Member and Council officers; (iv) had asked Mayor Biggs to provide a written response to the recommendation which would be circulated to the Committee.

v  Advised Members that written advice had been provided as to how they can raise an issue with regard to a licensed premises to instigate a review because of potentially dangerous or irresponsible activities harming individuals, businesses, and communities.

Members are asked to note the Action Log

v  Noted that the Committee had requested further information on what the Council is planning to do with their physical assets and what the costs of these are either (i) direct; or (ii) income forgone. The Committee expressed concern that this issue had remained outstanding now for over a month and noted that officers had been instructed to pursue this issue for a response.

To receive any petitions (to be notified at the meeting).

Nil items.

The Committee is asked to note:

1.    Forward Plan as published on 26^th of October 2021.

2.    The Forthcoming Decisions Plan (or 'Forward Plan') will be published at least 28 days before each Cabinet meeting setting out information on all the Key Decisions that are expected to be taken at that meeting, along with other Cabinet decisions where known.

3.    Publication dates for future Forthcoming Decision Plans are available on the Cabinet web pages. In advance of being published on the new Plan, individual notices of new Key Decisions will be published as they are known and these are listed as New Issues.

The Committee noted:

1. The most recent edition of the Forward Plan that had been published setting out information on all the Key Decisions that are expected to be taken at the next meeting; and

2.    That future Forthcoming Decision Plans are available on the Cabinet web pages. In advance of being published on the new Plan, individual notices of new Key Decisions are published as soon as they are known and these are listed as New Issues.

No decisions of the Mayor in Cabinet (22/09/2021) in respect of unrestricted reports on the agenda were ‘called in’.

Nil items

Presentation – To Follow.

The Committee received a presentation on the waste and recycling covering service initiatives; current priorities and the priorities going forward. The  protection of the environment and the health of the population is a key issue for the Borough’s residential and businesses communities. The main points raised as a result of questioning maybe summarised as follows:

The Committee:

v  Indicated that it wished to know (i) how waste and recycling is performing since the Service came back in-house; (ii) how the Service is responding to  resident complaints (e.g. missed bin collections; fly-tipping contamination of recycling and issues with the underground waste storage systems over the more traditional wheeled bin system).

v  Noted with regard to underground refuse service there have been issues with the specially adapted collection vehicles breaking down and to ensure that collections are made at every site, operatives have  at times had to mix the general household waste and recycling collections which makes it difficult to segregate the general household waste from the recycling.

v  In response it was noted that the report were in relation to general household waste and recycling collections and not the underground refuse service. The Committee was advised that that was not normal practice and would need the details of any report so that it could be investigated and resolved. Notwithstanding the indicated that the perception amongst some residents is that at times recycling is being taken away as general household waste.

v  Noted that LBTH takes a zero-tolerance approach with those who illegally dump waste whether it is a business or an individual, it is unacceptable behaviour. The Strategy to address illegal waste is supported by an effective programme of communication on the deterrent and enforcement.

v  Noted that wherever possible contaminated waste is marked up by the crews very clearly so that residents know this is contaminated recycling and will be picked within a 24-hour frame.

v  Noted that LBTH has recently launched a new scheme entitled “Champions Recycling Champions” it is aimed at anyone over 18 who lives in Tower Hamlets or works for a housing provider or community organisation in Tower Hamlets and is interested in improving recycling and reducing waste. The Recycling Champions help to spread the word about reducing, reusing, and recycling in Tower Hamlets! They are intended to make a positive contribution to their neighbourhood, help the environment, meet new people, and learn new things. The Champions remit therefore is really to encourage their peers and neighbours to recycle and reduce waste. There is also information on the website and those who want to take ownership of their neighbourhood and want to be involved can complete an online form, also LBTH is keen to be interactive and are looking at ways to communicate the message regarding waste and recycling.

v  Was also advised that LBTH hold regular meetings with Borough’s Housing Association’s which helps to maintain a dialogue and the specific issue of  additional charges has been raised and LBTH are working  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.1

Members are asked to refer to the report included in the Cabinet agenda 24^th November, 2021.

The Committee received a report that provided an update on the Council’s performance against the performance indicators included in the Councils Strategic Plan in quarter 2 of 2021/22. The main points of the discussion and answers to questions raised may be summarised as follows.

The Committee:

v  Noted that since the meeting in September 2021 the Chair had received a further update from the Service on the Committees requests for the strategic target measures and performance information. However, the requested format does not seem to meet the legal requirements in terms of the current internet accessibility standards for online publications. Accordingly, the Chair has requested that the Service provide the Committee with a separate copy of the quarterly performance report in the requested format.

v  Noted that the Service has confirmed that they will provide a separate copy to the Committee with the indicator tables scaled onto one page and this has been circulate offline so Members should have received a reformatted copy to the one that in under public domain.

v  Noted that there are eight regeneration outcomes which are set out in the Local Plan and the Council is scoring strategic planning permissions out of eight. In this quarter three strategic planning applications had been permitted which meant that LBTH had exceeded the target of achieving 5 of the 8 regeneration outcomes.

v  Noted that regeneration benefits from strategic planning permissions can often take several years to realise due to the length of time it can take to complete these developments.

v  Noted that corporately these highly complex applications having been discussed for many months or in some cases possibly for several years on major development sites and the view had been taken that overall the benefits as against the disbenefits in terms of regeneration outcomes had meant that they were viable. In addition, the developers when submitting any proposals know not to include any element that would be considered as a fundamental objection.

v  Noted that in regard to Long term looked after children who are in stable placements (Measure No. 14) the Authority is assured that no children had been put at risk put additional risk and the performance on this measure is just below the minimum target and has improved in the last month and is moving from Red to Amber.

v  Noted that there has been a significant increase in demand for long-term fostering matches which has increased pressure on the Service.  Accordingly, agreement has been given for an additional number of social work posts to be recruited to help manage that pressure on a time limited basis although it is proving very difficult to find locum social workers of the right calibre.

v  Was advised that almost every child subject to protection plan is residing within the Borough whilst there are a very small number that have just moved outside of Tower Hamlets, although if they are moving to another local authority area, then there's a well-established process to transfer responsibility  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.1

Members are asked to refer to the report included in the Cabinet agenda 24^th November, 2021.

This report presents the budget monitoring report 2021-22 as of 30^th September 2021 (period 6) for the General Fund, Dedicated Schools Budget (DSB), Housing Revenue Account (HRA) progress made against savings targets and the Council’s capital programme. It also provided projections on General Fund earmarked reserves and the forecast impacts of Covid on the Councils finances in 2021-22. A summary of the discussions and questions raised is set out below:

The Committee:

v  Noted that they were to have reviewed the MTFS refresh and Fees and Charges items this month, however these have now been delayed and subsequently moved to the January 2022 Budget meeting which adds further time constraints on the Committee to be able to effectively scrutinise the Budget process.

v  Was reminded that addressing the Budget process early has been an issue for the Committee throughout the years and noted the Chairs disappointment that it has now had to be moved to January 2022.  However, the Committees work programme has been revised to accommodate this change.

v  Observed that this is the half year budget monitoring report setting out how the Council is managing its Budget within the impact of Covid.

v  Noted that the overall position on the general Fund after the application of reserves is a forecast deficit on the year of £300,000, although there are some worrying variances and that position is supported by £19.6 million of extra funding. Whilst the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) is forecasting a small underspend on the year and the Housing Revenue Account ( HRA) an overspend of £1.4 million. The Directorate positions are that Housing is forecasting an overspend of £2.3 million; Children’s an overspend of £1.6 million; Resources and Governance a net overspend of £1 million and Place an underspend of 1.5 million.

v  Observed that regarding the reserves position is £20 million is the required minimum for the general fund and in addition £98 million in earmarked funds with restrictions, although a significant percentage of that is the collection fund smoothing reserve, which includes grants received in advance. We have another £75 million in earmarked funds, reducing to 70 million by year end. That sounds like a lot, but I remind you that expenditure is running at £19 million over budget, and in that context £70 million does not sound like such a significant cushion. The HRA position will see a call upon reserves of £1.4 million, leaving £50.9 million at year end. With regard to savings, the Budget was originally £28.9 million and this has been revised down to £20 million with £7.5 million forecasts to slip into future years and £1.4 million unachievable.

v  Noted that every year, but it becomes progressively more difficult to deliver savings and capital expenditure also foresees a certain amount of slippage into future years. However, despite some slippage, LBTH is  transforming the Borough through the capital programme the high streets and town centres, environmental projects, new Council homes, public realm improvements, Whitechapel is the gateway to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.2

The Committee received a report sets out the findings and seven recommendations from the Scrutiny Challenge Session on swimming provision in the Borough.  A summary of the discussion including the points raised by Members questions may be summarised as follows:

The Committee:

v  Noted that Covid-19 Pandemic has highlighted the challenges that residents face with accessing local swimming pools. It also magnified local health inequalities with children in Tower Hamlets more likely to be overweight or obese at year 6 than in London or England.  Compliance with Covid-19 safety measure such as shielding or self-isolating has acted as a catalyst to an increase in loneliness, sedentary lifestyle and a lack of regular physical activity and exercise.

v  Observed that Swim England suggests that a single 25 metre pool can generate £7.2 million in social value in community savings and also save the NHS and social care more than £1.2 million. They have also warned that nationally 90% of 7- to 11- year-olds are failing to meet minimum standards that have been brought in for swimming lessons outside of school. Swimming is considered as an essential life skill that, in extreme circumstances, can make the difference between life and death and moreover, it provides a means to rehabilitate people who have been injured aiding their recovery.

v  Noted that some of the Leisure Centres are over 40 years old the costs had escalated because of the lack of investment in refurbishment over the years and the local resident felt that the local pools are not properly managed or  maintained.  Whilst ongoing reductions in the Council budget has impacted further on the sports and physical activity service.  Therefore, the report asks that the Mayor reviews the budget so that swimming provisions can be accommodated and some of the key barriers faced by schools is addressed e.g. headteachers commented that accessing swimming includes travel time and it's very important that swimming pools are near to schools so that pupils actually do not lose learning time e.g. it can take about three to four hours for children from Wapping to go to Poplar and back which is far too long.

v  Noted that the report recommends that: (i) the Council develops a long-term capital investment strategy for leisure centres to ensure that they can be maintained to good standard, including where major refurbishments are needed; (ii) Greenwich Leisure should look at how currently schools could be helped to without travel. Oh provision at the moment and you know whilst they're going to, the two pools are open.

v  Noted with disappointment the Scrutiny Panel had not been provided with the Leisure Centre review on assets that had been conducted and it is very hard to comment on that review at the moment.

v  Concerned that that each time it was recommended that urgent repairs should be carried out at a leisure centres they had not been undertaken. Therefore is this the same at all the Boroughs other leisure centres?

v  Concerned to learn that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.1

The Committee will receive updates from all the Scrutiny Leads in regard to their portfolio’s.  The written updates are attached any verbal updates will be presented at the meeting.

The Committee received and noted the updates submitted and also received the following verbal update from the Chair on behalf of Councillor Faroque Ahmed on the recent parking challenge session which explored the impact of specific influences such as Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) expansion, car free developments, Permit Transfer Scheme, hotspot areas and the switch to electric vehicles as we try to tackle the climate emergency. This challenge session provided an opportunity to scrutinise the sustainability of the council’s approach to parking and traffic management. It is clear from the evidence heard that parking is an integral element of not only the transport strategy but also many of the other council’s priorities and aspirations. The Committee has made seven recommendations and hopes that the Mayor and Cabinet take these forward and work with Overview and Scrutiny to ensure that the council has a robust parking and traffic management policy for years to come.

To consider and agree pre-decision scrutiny questions/comments to be presented to Cabinet.

Following comments by the Committee the Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions (PDSQ) Members agreed the particular questions/recommendations that they wanted to raise with Cabineton the 24^th of October 2021 (See attached appendix).

To consider any other unrestricted business that the Chair considers to be urgent.

Councillor Francis raised the following:

Victoria Park

Further to minute No. 13 (25^th October 2021 refers) regarding the commercial contracts for events in Victoria Park Councillor Francis indicated that this decision has had a significant impact on communities living or working in that area and therefore should have been a key decision and not made under delegated authority. Therefore, it would be helpful if the Committee could have a note explaining why this was not deemed to be a key decision.

With no other business to discuss the Chair called this meeting to a close; thanked all those attending for their contributions and informed the Committee that the next meeting would be on Monday, 13^th of December 2021.

As the agenda circulated contained no exempt/confidential reports and there was therefore no requirement to exclude the press and public to allow for its consideration.

To consider any other exempt/ confidential business that the Chair considers to be urgent.

Nil items.