Agenda and minutes
Venue: Committee Room One - Town Hall, Mulberry Place, 5 Clove Crescent, London, E14 2BG. View directions
Contact: David Knight, Democratic Services Tel: 020 7364 4878 E-mail: david.knight@towerhamlets.gov.uk
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE To receive any apologies for absence. Minutes:
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DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTEREST PDF 64 KB To note any declarations of interest made by Members, including those restricting Members from voting on the questions detailed in Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act, 1992. See attached note from the Interim Monitoring Officer.
Minutes: There were no declarations of disclosable pencuniary interest.
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REQUESTS TO SUBMIT PETITIONS Minutes: The Chair advised the Committee that a petition had been submitted to the Service Head of Democratic Services regarding the bills that have sent by Tower Hamlets Homes to Leaseholders for major works as part of the Decent Homes Programme. The Chair indicated that he was minded to allow the petitioners to address the Committee and present their petition given the importance of the petitions subject to leaseholders.
It was:
Resolved
To suspend Council Procedure Sub Rule 19.4 “Scope of petition, under the provisions of Council Procedure rule 26.1 “Suspension” in order for the Committee to receive the petition.
Accordingly, the Committee received and noted a petition presented by Christina Josephides from the Avebury Estate Leaseholders. The main points of the petition may be outlined as follows:
Leaseholders across Tower Hamlets have been sent bills by Tower Hamlets Homes for as much as £40,000 for major works as part of the Decent Homes Programme. Leaseholders have now been given 12 months to repay theses significant and unmanageable bills. Leaseholders feel that Tower Hamlets Homes and Tower Hamlets Council have not adequately engaged, consulted or responded to their concerns, and are now calling on Tower Hamlets Homes and the Council to meet our reasonable requests below.
1. Extend the current repayment period for major works from 12 months to 10 years; 2. Provide much greater transparency on all charges and proposed major works; and 3. Adopt a pro-active approach when responding to, engaging with and consulting leaseholders.
The discussion on the issues highlighted by the petitioners are summarised below in minute 4.2.
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SCRUTINY SPOTLIGHT |
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The Mayor To receive a verbal presentation from The Mayor Lutfur Rahman.
Minutes:
The Committee expressed their displeasure that the Mayor Lutfur Rahman had been unable to attend tonight’s meeting. The Mayor had cited an unexpected commitment related to the Election Court. The Committee noted that he had offered the following alternative dates:
• 21st April 2015; • 22nd April 2015; and • 28th April 2015.
The Committee was reminded that it had already expressed its disappointment that the Mayor has not attended previous meetings. As a result of a full and detailed discussion on the constitutional provisions regarding the Mayors non-attendance, the Committee indicated that this situation was unacceptable and that it meets again in April using those dates suggested by the Mayor. In addition, that a pre-action letter should be sent to the Mayor regarding his continued non-attendance at the Committee. Accordingly, the Chair Moved and it was:-
RESOLVED that:
Action by
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Tower Hamlets Homes PDF 539 KB To receive a verbal presentation from Tower Hamlets Homes with a focus on performance.
Minutes:
The Committee received and noted a presentation from Jamie Carswell (Director of Investment, Tower Hamlets Homes) and Peter Nourse Interim Head of Property at Tower Hamlets Homes, relating to the standard of housing management on the estates managed by THH in Tower Hamlets. A summary of the discussion on this item is set out below.
The Committee heard that:
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ANY OTHER UNRESTRICTED BUSINESS WHICH THE CHAIR CONSIDERS TO BE URGENT To consider any other unrestricted business that the Chair considers to be urgent.
Minutes:
The Committee received and noted the following brief verbal updates:
The Committee noted that:
Action by
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EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC In view of the contents of the remaining items on the agenda the Committee is recommended to adopt the following motion:
“That, under the provisions of Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985, the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting for the consideration of the Section Two business on the grounds that it contains information defined as Exempt in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972.”
EXEMPT/CONFIDENTIAL SECTION (Pink Papers)
The exempt committee papers in the agenda will contain information, which is commercially, legally or personally sensitive and should not be divulged to third parties. If you do not wish to retain these papers after the meeting, please hand them to the Committee Officer present. Minutes: The agenda circulated contained no exempt/ confidential business and there was therefore no requirement to exclude the press and public to allow for its consideration. |
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ANY OTHER EXEMPT/ CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS THAT THE CHAIR CONSIDERS URGENT To consider any other exempt/ confidential business that the Chair considers to be urgent.
Minutes: Nil items. |