Agenda and draft minutes
Venue: Committee Room,1st Floor, Town Hall, Mulberry Place, 5 Clove Crescent, London, E14 2BG
Contact: Angus Dixon, Democratic Services Tel: 020 7364 4850, E-mail: angus.dixon@towerhamlets.gov.uk
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE To receive any apologies for absence. Minutes: Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Marc Francis and Fozol Miah. |
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DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST 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.
Minutes: There were no declarations of interest made. |
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REPORTS FOR CONSIDERATION |
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Appointments to External Bodies Minutes: (i) London City Airport Consultative Committee (LCACC)
The Chair introduced this item reminding the Committee that it was discussed at their last meeting where it was agreed to delay an appointment in order to seek advice from the LCACC as to the eligibility of Mr Pemberton to represent Tower Hamlets. The Chair referred to the stated advice from the LCACC that whilst the Council could appoint Mr Pemberton, they felt that the establishment of a direct channel of communication (i.e. through an officer or Member) with the Council would be preferable and more easily facilitate the dissemination of information from LCACC meetings.
Councillor Peter Golds informed the Committee that Mr Pemberton was now the Chair of LAP8 Group and at their recent meeting the Group expressed their gratitude that the General Purposes Committee had investigated the option of Mr Pemberton being the Council’s representative.
The Committee asked that it be further investigated as to whether Mr Pemberton could be co-opted to the LCACC.
The Chair Moved and it was
RESOLVED
That Councillor Bill Turner be appointed as Tower Hamlets’ representative to the LCACC.
(ii) Aldgate and Allhallows Barking Exhibition Foundation
Angus Dixon, Democratic Services, informed the Committee that whilst they had appointed Councillor Abbas to the Foundation at their meeting in June 2006 for a three year period until June 2009, the Foundation required an appointment to cover the whole period March 2007 to March 2010.
The Chair Moved and it was
RESOLVED
That Councillor Helal U Abbas be appointed as Tower Hamlets’ representative to the Aldgate and Allhallows Barking Exhibition Foundation for the period March 2007 – March 2010.
(iii) Tower Hamlets College
Mr Angus Dixon, Democratic Services, informed the Committee that Tower Hamlets College was seeking an Officer nomination to their Board in addition to the Councillor nomination (Councillor Helal U Abbas) that had been agreed at the Committee’s June 2006 meeting. Mr Dixon stated that Ms Mary Durkin, Interim Service Head Youth and Community Learning, had been nominated to fill this vacancy by the Children’s Services Directorate.
The Chair Moved and it was
RESOLVED
That the Committee note the appointment of Ms Mary Durkin to the Board of Tower Hamlets College.
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Review of Election Polling Places and Districts Additional documents:
Minutes: Ms Isabella Freeman, Assistant Chief Executive (Legal Services), introduced the report informing the Committee that it followed on from the initial discussions held at their February 2007 meeting and that it initiated the formal part of the Review. Ms Freeman stated that the report contained the initial representations on the Review and outlined the process towards completion. Ms Freeman clarified that the terms of the Review did not encompass changes to Ward Boundaries, however Polling District boundaries may be examined.
The Committee discussed the possibility of using social clubs and other community venues as polling places whilst keeping in mind the need for consultation with religious leaders on any sensitivities with these venues.
Ms Freeman encouraged the Committee to email Mr Tim Revell, Interim Electoral Services Manager, with any feedback as their local knowledge on issues surrounding accessibility was invaluable. Ms Freeman also told the Committee that a report would be brought to the next (June) meeting of the Committee to provide an update on the review.
The Chair Moved and it was
RESOLVED
That the recommendations contained within the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Legal Services) on the Review of Polling Places and Districts be agreed.
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Electoral Matters Update Additional documents: Minutes: Ms Isabella Freeman, Assistant Chief Executive (Legal Services), introduced the report informing the Committee that its purpose was to provide Members with an update on electoral issues. Ms Freeman stated that the new constituencies detailed within the report would take effect at the next general election and any bi-elections before this would be held under the existing constituencies.
The Committee discussed the Council providing the electoral information on the new boundaries onto a database for use by the Groups and difficulties in distributing candidate information to constituents. Ms Freeman commented on the difficulties Council faces when undertaking its canvassing operations and informed the Committee that a report would be coming to their next meeting discussing the canvassing process for 2007.
The Chair Moved and it was
RESOLVED
That the report be noted.
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