No apologies for absence.

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

Cllr Islam declared a non-disclosable necuniary interest in item 4.1.

The chair declared an interest in item 4.1 as a local ward councillor.

To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 24 July 2023.

That the unrestricted minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 24 July 2023 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record of the proceedings. Subject to an update to the committee on housing options concerns.

To review the Cabinet agenda and to consider and agree any pre-decision scrutiny questions to be presented to the Cabinet meeting 20 September 2023.

4.1          Liveable Streets

The Committee considered the report that is to be considered by the Mayor in Cabinet on the 20 of September 2023. The report was presented by Simon Baxter, Interim Director of Public Realm, Raj Mistry, Interim Corporate Director Communities, Ashraf Ali, Group Manager Network Management presented the report.

Members made the following comments and questions:

• The public consultation made it clear the public has interest in continuing low traffic neighbourhoods. Can officers explain why road closures with mitigations was not explored within the paper, when other options were detailed? Officers stated that the paper is to advise members on the potential options, on what is considered a decisive public issues, not all options could be explored.
• Can officers provide more detail on the air quality data within the report, compared to areas without these measures? Officers confirmed that a number of factors see low air quality, including the type of vehicles used and number of vehicles in the area.
• Please detail the post consultation process with local residents within the target areas? Officers confirmed there was no engagement, as members are still being consulted on the various elements of the plan.
• Has there been engagement with emergency services on consultation? Officers referred to the report, highlighting the impact road closures could have on emergency vehicles.
• As ward councillors, we are not seeing any awareness of the consultation. Did the council ensure there was community engagement around the consultation, to ensure a diverse background took part? Officers stated that the consultation is flawed and did not use all the communication tools that the council has to engage with the borough on a correct scale.
• It feels like there has been no policy journey to ensure that the proposals bring in those who are supportive of liveable streets and those who are critical.
• The council has taken funding for many liveable street proposals, would it mean if changes were made, we would have to refund the TfL funding? Officers confirmed funding would not need to be refunded.
• The report details that some women who took part in the consultation did not feel safe, due to less traffic on the roads. The council should be acting on this data to make our streets safer.
• Are there any revenue generation schemes around the proposals? Officers stated there are no current plans.

The chair welcomed members to submit in writing further comments on the report.

The chair welcomed residents from Bethnal Green to address the committee to give feedback on the liveable streets scheme and the consultation. Residents highlighted the importance of air quality, the impact changes will have on disabled residents and how responses from the police, the local hospital and other stakeholders should have been taken into account.

Members made the following comments and questions:

• What caused residents to become more interested in supporting the liveable street scheme? Residents stated that it was seeing the benefits it brought to the local area, particularly vulnerable residents. But also, the council should  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.1

The Committee considered the report that is to be considered by the Mayor in Cabinet on the 20 of September 2023. The report was presented by Cllr Kabir Ahmed, with Raj Chand, Director of Customer Services and Leah Sykes, Head of Customer Service.

Members made the following comments and questions:

• The permit service is not fit for purpose, more needs to be down to ensure a quicker turn around, both online and in person at idea stores.
• The council needs to be making more of the digital experience, for the young borough that Tower Hamlets is but also bringing older residents more online. The council website needs to be brought closer to what other councils are providing.
• What are the challenges the council is facing in terms of elderly residents in accessing services? Cllr Kabir Ahmed reflected that the council needs to be getting elderly residents in the habit of accessing services online more frequently and making it easier for them to use it.
• What are the disparities that different groups are facing with services? Cllr Kabir Ahmed stated the council is working with partners like the NHS and Health and Wellbeing Board, more groups can be reached and targeted to show them the benefits of using online services, at least as a starting point for training.
• The committee should get annual updates on this proposed strategy.
• Can the targets that have been discussed in the report be elaborated on further? Cllr Kabir Ahmed outlined each departmental lead will be monitoring performance and will be given regular performance reports to relate to. Officers highlighted the measures of success and how the reporting for members will be able to be accessed regularly.
• What support will be offered to the workforce, who will be dealing with all kinds of resident hardships? What mental health support has been considered? Officers outlined the expectations the council will have of staff, but also what will be expected from residents. Staff will have a range of mental health support, from within the council and externally, that they can be referred to.

RESOLVED

The committee noted the report.

The Committee considered the report of Statement of Licensing Policy 2023 – 2028 that the committee is asked to review. The report was presented by Dave Tolley, Head of Environmental Health & Trading Standards and Tom Lewis, Team Leader Licensing & Safety.

Members made the following comments and questions:

·       Will the council be considering applying for appropriate awards to show the high level of borough premises? Officers agreed the council should apply for awards in this area and teams like the Violence Against Women is an example of good work that should be publicly regarded.

·       What has the council done to ensure venues are ready to meet the regulation around Martin’s Law? Officers confirmed that the council is in the early stages in engagement with venues, but training has been rolled out to stakeholders within the borough.

RESOLVED

The committee noted the report.

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

(Time allocated – 30 minutes).

Members of the committee agreed to submit pre-decision questions on the Cabinet meeting of 20 September 2023.

The Chair introduced the Final Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme 2023-24.

RESOLVED:

Members agreed the Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme 2023-24

To review forthcoming decisions expected to be taken by the Mayor and identify any areas of further Scrutiny for committee.

 A copy of the forthcoming decisions can be found here.

RESOLVED:

Members noted the forward plan.

To hear verbal updates from the Overview and Scrutiny Leads on their work across the Council.

Nil Items.

No decisions of the Mayor in Cabinet 26 July 2023 in respect of unrestricted reports on the agenda were ‘called in’.

Nil Items.

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

Nil Items.

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

Committee Members asked about an update on the Scrutiny Lead vacancy. The Chair confirmed that the work program outlines how the committee can take part in resources scrutiny throughout the year.

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

Nil Items.

Nil items.

Nil Items.

Nil items.

Nil Items.

Nil items.

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

Nil items.