No apologies received.

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

No declarations of disclosable pecuniary interest were received at the meeting.

To consider any decisions that have been called in.

Councillor Sirajul Islam members presented the reasons for call-in on behalf of the Call-in members and proposed alternative course of action as set out in the report.

The committee made the following comments and questions:

·       In your experience as an Executive Member of the Cabinet for Housing, did you consider a similar strategy while in office and why is this strategy an issue for you now? Cllr Sirajul Islam reported that every council does struggle with finding suitable land to build on, and delivering on houses with social rent was a priority and previous housing developments was costed, but joint ventures like in the current strategy were not considered. There is concern in some of the sites that have been suggested will be very challenging for the council to deliver on. If the council has interest in these sites, with a joint venture, a similar council scheme on its own would also be worth considering.

·       What would the accountability within the report look like to you? Cllr Sirajul Islam confirmed he would like to see greater democratic accountability, such as guidance over joint ventures and engagement with residents in and around the proposed sites.

·       How confident are you in this Strategy bringing in affordable rent? Cllr Sirajul Islam questioned how many residents within Tower Hamlets can afford a shared ownership home like within this strategy. This strategy is not strong enough on ensuring that residents will have access to social rents needed.

The Lead Member, Councillor Kabir Ahmed, and Rupert Brandon, Head of Housing Supply, set out the context of the Cabinet Decision and reviewed the key elements of the decision.

The committee made the following comments and questions:

·       How do we ensure developers are offering more than 50 per cent of developments to be affordable? Cllr Kabir Ahmed confirmed that the council is always working to get more than 50 per cent from developers, but with inflation affecting the cost of materials in construction, this can prove difficult in getting more out of developers.

·       Have consultations been carried out on the proposed sites and can these be shared? Cllr Kabir Ahmed stated the proposed sites had already been earmarked for development and new sites were also found. These sites are in the early stages and the next stage is the take this out to the market, to find developers interested in working with the council. After this early stage, the usual consultation process will begin, along with the scrutiny that members provide to other developments.

·       Why does this process feel so rushed? It does not feel that the Council is placing any risk management on working with developers on these sites. What else has the council explored for housing before coming to this strategy? Will the Council ensure all these sites include 50 per cent affordable rent? Cllr Kabir Ahmed confirmed that the council feels it needs to take action to reduce the ever-growing housing demand and the council needs to deliver as many houses as possible. National government  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.1

The Committee voted for Cllr Sabina Khan for the role of Scrutiny Lead for Finance & Resources, however after member discussion it was decided that the role would be confirmed at the next meeting.

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

None.

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 Item 6.2 Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) for the 21 June 2023.

Nil Items.

To review the most recent publication of the Cabinet Forward Plan.

RESOLVED:

Members noted the forward plan

To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 16 May 2023.

RESOLVED:

That the unrestricted minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 16 May 2023 approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record of the Proceedings.

Nil Items

Nil items.

Nil Items

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.

The Committee asked Cllr Abdul Mannan why Housing & Regeneration Scrutiny Sub Committee had not met since 27 April 2023. Cllr Abdul Mannan confirmed that the first meeting of 2023/24 had to be rearranged to not clash with the summer school holidays.

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.