Apologies for absence were received on behalf of:

·         Councillor James King, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, for whom Councillor Sufia Alam (Vice-Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee) was deputising.

·         Asmat Hussain, Corporate Director, Governance and Monitoring Officer, for whom Janet Fasan, Divisional Director, Legal Services, was deputising.

There were no Declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests.

The unrestricted minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday 30 October 2019 are presented for approval.

RESOLVED

1.    That the unrestricted minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday 30 October by approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record of proceedings.

The Mayor noted that the meeting was being held during the Pre-Election Period in the run up to the 12 December 2019 General Election.

Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) to report on any issues  raised by the OSC in relation to unrestricted business to be considered.

Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses were received in respect of agenda items:

·         6.1 Refresh of Tower Hamlets Substance Misuse Strategy 2020-2025

·         6.2 Award of Contracts for the Support Service in Three Hostels for the Single Homeless

·         6.3 Adoption of the Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2031: Managing Growth and Sharing the Benefits

·         6.4 Adoption of the Tower Hamlets Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule

·         6.5 Update Report on recommendations for the future delivery of Contract Services

·         6.6 Scrutiny Report – Improving Health, Environmental Quality, Economic and Social Outcomes through housing open spaces

·         6.8 Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring Q2 2019-20

These were considered during discussion of each relevant agenda item.

In addition, Councillor Sufia Alam, Vice-Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) provided Cabinet with an update on scrutiny activities. In particular she reported back on the OSC meeting earlier in the week at which they had:

·         Undertaken a Spotlight session on Leisure Services and had a robust discussion of the changing landscape of leisure provision in the borough.

·         Received a presentation from Councillor Candida Ronald, Cabinet Member for Resources and the Voluntary Sector, on the Council’s budget performance and planning. The committee expressed concerns about the sizeable savings required and the robustness of the approaches being used.

·         Received a presentation by Councillor Sirajul Islam as Statutory Deputy Mayor on the Council’s performance regime. They examined both the areas meeting their targets and also looked at targets which were proving challenging and discussed the viability of some targets.

The Mayor thanked Councillor Sufia Alam for her presentation.

Nil items.

The Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses were noted.

DECISION

1.    To endorse the Tower Hamlets Community Safety Partnership Substance Misuse Strategy attached at appendix 1 to the report.

2.    To note the specific equalities considerations as set out in Paragraph 9 of the report and the actions that will be taken to mitigate these.

3.    To note that the strategy will be underpinned by detailed annual delivery plans. It will be officially launched in January 2020 when an online version and a printed version of the strategy will be made available to residents.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, HEALTH, ADULTS AND COMMUNITY (D. RADLEY)

(Policy Manager – Substance Misuse (M. Morris)

Councillor Amina Ali, Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing, introduced the report on the proposed refresh of the Tower Hamlets Substance Misuse Strategy. She highlighted the three priorities within the strategy on; early intervention and prevention, evidence based treatment and recovery support, and reducing drug and alcohol related harm and anti-social behaviour. The meeting also heard from Councillor Asma Begum, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Community Safety who also endorsed the report.

During discussion the Mayor heard that there had been extensive consultation efforts and that many partners had been involved in preparing the strategy. He noted the difficult decisions needed in balancing the different priorities set out in the strategy. A number of Members also expressed thanks for the work that had gone into preparing the strategy.

The Mayor thanked officers for their work, noted the pre-decision scrutiny questions and officer responses and agreed the recommendations as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To endorse the Tower Hamlets Community Safety Partnership Substance Misuse Strategy attached at appendix 1 to the report.

2.    To note the specific equalities considerations as set out in Paragraph 9 of the report and the actions that will be taken to mitigate these.

3.    To note that the strategy will be underpinned by detailed annual delivery plans. It will be officially launched in January 2020 when an online version and a printed version of the strategy will be made available to residents.

The Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses were noted.

DECISION

1.    To agree to exempt Providence Row Housing Association (PRHA) for up to 3 years from 01 April 2020 from any tendering exercise relating to provision of support services at Edward Gibbons House, Providence House and Daniel Gilbert House in recognition of:

·         PRHA capital investment of £101k to improve the quality and design of the hostels buildings via increased provision of:

- medical rooms,

- catering facilities,

- wet rooms/rooms suitable for residents with restricted mobility

·         PRHA revenue investment to better respond to the changing needs of Service Users via provision of:

          -homeless specific palliative care and support training

          -AQA accredited Safeguarding training

          -clinical psychologist support

2.    To authorise the Divisional Director, Legal Services to execute all necessary contract documents in respect of the awards of contracts referred to at recommendations 1 above.

3.    To note the specific equalities considerations as set out in Paragraph 4 of the report.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, HEALTH, ADULTS AND COMMUNITY (D. RADLEY)

(Divisional Director, Integrated Commissioning (W. Tomsett)

Councillor Amina Ali, Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing, introduced the report on the proposed awarding of contracts for hostel support services. In particular she highlighted the £100k capital investment proposed to help meet the needs of the residents.

The Mayor welcomed that the contracts were being met within existing costs. He noted the Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses and agreed the recommendations as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To agree to exempt Providence Row Housing Association (PRHA) for up to 3 years from 01 April 2020 from any tendering exercise relating to provision of support services at Edward Gibbons House, Providence House and Daniel Gilbert House in recognition of:

·         PRHA capital investment of £101k to improve the quality and design of the hostels buildings via increased provision of:

- medical rooms,

- catering facilities,

- wet rooms/rooms suitable for residents with restricted mobility

·         PRHA revenue investment to better respond to the changing needs of Service Users via provision of:

          -homeless specific palliative care and support training

          -AQA accredited Safeguarding training

          -clinical psychologist support

2.    To authorise the Divisional Director, Legal Services to execute all necessary contract documents in respect of the awards of contracts referred to at recommendations 1 above.

3.    To note the specific equalities considerations as set out in Paragraph 4 of the report.

The Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses were noted.

DECISION

1.    To note that the Local Plan has been subject to further amendments (following its submission to the Inspector  in February 2018) as part of the independent public examination, as described in:

a.    the Inspector’s Final Report (see appendix 1), and;

b.    schedule of main and additional modifications (see appendix 2).

2.    To note the recommendation stated in the Inspector’s Final Report.

3.    To agree to refer the Report to the Full Council to formally adopt the Local Plan, including the modifications recommended by the Inspector and the additional minor modifications proposed by officers, in accordance with Section 23 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act.

4.    To recommend  to Full Council   to  Authorise the Corporate Director of Place to prepare and publish an Adoption Statement and the final Integrated Impact Assessment Report, in accordance with S26 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.

5.    To recommend to Full Council to authorise the Corporate Director of Place in consultation with the Mayor and Lead Member for Planning, Air Quality and Tackling Poverty to make typographical amendments to the plan prior to its publication to improve cross-referencing (e.g. paragraph numbering, page re-numbering) and typographical errors.

6.    To recommend to Full Council to revoke the Council’s current adopted Core Strategy (2010) and Managing Development Document (2013). It is recommended that the current adopted Plans are revoked following the statutory six week legal challenge period of the Local Plan adoption.  

7.    Subject to adoption of the Local Plan by the Full Council, agree to revoke the following Council’s supplementary/Interim planning documents (see appendix 3 for a full SPD review). These need to be removed as planning policy guidance to ensure an effective and efficient development management process.  It is recommended that the current the following documents are revoked following the adoption of the Local Plan by the Full Council and following the statutory six week legal challenge period of the Local Plan adoption.  

a.    Wood Wharf Masterplan (2003)

b.    Aldgate Masterplan (2007)

c.    Former Whitechapel Masterplan (2007)

d.    Bishopsgate Goods Yard (2009)

e.    Bromley-by-Bow Masterplan (2012)

f.     Whitechapel Vision Masterplan (2013)

g.    South Quay Masterplan (2015)

h.    Millennium Quarter Public Realm Guidance Manual (2008)

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)

(Strategic Planning Manager (M. Ryan Hernandez)

(Plan Making Team Leader (J. Jin)

Councillor Rachel Blake, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Planning, Air Quality and Tackling Poverty, introduced the report. She highlighted that the Plan had been presented to Cabinet on a number of occasions and been part of numerous discussions and consultations. This report was proposing that a final version be forwarded to Council to agree its adoption.

The purpose of the Plan was to positively support the development and infrastructure needs of existing and future communities encouraging high design standards, avoiding over development and encouraging mixed and stable communities.

During discussion a number of points were made including that:

·         Officers had undertaken a massive amount of very detailed work on preparing the Plan.

·         It was important to feed back to residents and groups following on from their contributions and submissions.

·         The policy was important in promoting affordable housing.

The Mayor thanked officers for their work and noted the Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses. Finally, he agreed the recommendations as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To note that the Local Plan has been subject to further amendments (following its submission to the Inspector  in February 2018) as part of the independent public examination, as described in:

a.    the Inspector’s Final Report (see appendix 1), and;

b.    schedule of main and additional modifications (see appendix 2).

2.    To note the recommendation stated in the Inspector’s Final Report.

3.    To agree to refer the Report to the Full Council to formally adopt the Local Plan, including the modifications recommended by the Inspector and the additional minor modifications proposed by officers, in accordance with Section 23 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act.

4.    To recommend  to Full Council   to  Authorise the Corporate Director of Place to prepare and publish an Adoption Statement and the final Integrated Impact Assessment Report, in accordance with S26 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.

5.    To recommend to Full Council to authorise the Corporate Director of Place in consultation with the Mayor and Lead Member for Planning, Air Quality and Tackling Poverty to make typographical amendments to the plan prior to its publication to improve cross-referencing (e.g. paragraph numbering, page re-numbering) and typographical errors.

6.    To recommend to Full Council to revoke the Council’s current adopted Core Strategy (2010) and Managing Development Document (2013). It is recommended that the current adopted Plans are revoked following the statutory six week legal challenge period of the Local Plan adoption.  

7.    Subject to adoption of the Local Plan by the Full Council, agree to revoke the following Council’s supplementary/Interim planning documents (see appendix 3 for a full SPD review). These need to be removed as planning policy guidance to ensure an effective and efficient development management process.  It is recommended that the current the following documents are revoked following the adoption of the Local Plan by the Full Council and following the statutory six week legal challenge period of the Local Plan adoption.  

a.    Wood Wharf Masterplan (2003)

b.    Aldgate Masterplan (2007)

c.    Former Whitechapel Masterplan  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.3

The Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses were noted.

DECISION

1.    To allow all relevant reporting and associated actions to take place for the full Council to formally adopt the new CIL Charging Schedule in accordance with The Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010, Regulation 25.

2.    To note that there have been some minor amendments made subsequent to the examination in public (in respect of student housing and some minor errors in the funding gap report). These amendments are not substantial or affect the need for a Charging Schedule.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)

(Infrastructure Planning Manager (M. Pullen)

(Development Viability Team Leader (J. Uddin)

Councillor Rachel Blake, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Planning, Air Quality and Tackling Poverty, introduced the report setting out the proposed Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) for the borough. In particular she drew the meeting’s attention to increased charges in a number of areas and in particular on residential development and it was estimated that they could raise around £29 million more than the current scheme. She confirmed that the proposals had been out for consultation. She thanked officers for their hard work and expertise.

Councillor Andrew Wood, Leader of the Conservative Group, welcomed the report as an improvement on the existing scheme. He highlighted the importance of constantly monitoring the boundaries of the charge zones as circumstances change.

The Mayor welcomed the report, thanked officers and noted the Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses as tabled. He agreed the recommendations as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To allow all relevant reporting and associated actions to take place for the full Council to formally adopt the new CIL Charging Schedule in accordance with The Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010, Regulation 25.

2.    To note that there have been some minor amendments made subsequent to the examination in public (in respect of student housing and some minor errors in the funding gap report). These amendments are not substantial or affect the need for a Charging Schedule.

The reasons for urgency set out in the report were agreed.

The Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses were noted.

DECISION

1.    To note the update provided in the report and the summary of the Equalities Impact Assessment undertaken for service users and Contract Services employees affected by the change of service delivery for meals to clients.

2.    To note that the CPU will remain open and Contract Services will work with Corporate Asset Management to identify additional leasing or trading opportunities. 

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, HEALTH, ADULTS AND COMMUNITY (D. RADLEY)

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, CHILDREN AND CULTURE (D.JONES)

(Divisional Director, Youth and Commissioning (R. Martins-Taylor)

(Divisional Director, Adult Social Care (C. Brown)

The Mayor agreed the reasons for urgency as set out in the report, namely that:

“At a recent meeting of the Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee it was requested that this update report be brought to Cabinet at the earliest opportunity. The report was prepared but had missed the regular deadlines for report preparation in the standard report cycle for November Cabinet. Given that the report is for noting, it has been finalised outside of the statutory deadline.”

Councillor Amina Ali, Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing, introduced the report. She explained that this was a noting report setting out the results of a review officers had undertaken in relation to the provision of meals for clients. The council was looking at alternative options for the delivery of services but it was highlighted that no clients would see any changes until their personal circumstances had been reviewed.

The Mayor noted the pre-decision scrutiny questions and officers responses and agreed the recommendations as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the update provided in the report and the summary of the Equalities Impact Assessment undertaken for service users and Contract Services employees affected by the change of service delivery for meals to clients.

2.    To note that the CPU will remain open and Contract Services will work with Corporate Asset Management to identify additional leasing or trading opportunities. 

The Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses were noted.

DECISION

1.    To note the scrutiny report of Housing Open Spaces (to improve health, environmental quality, economic and social outcomes through Housing Open Spaces) and agree the action plan in response to the report recommendations.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)

(Strategy and Policy Manager (A. Kamali)

Councillor Sirajul Islam, Statutory Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Housing, introduced the report. He welcomed the review scrutiny had undertaken and highlighted the importance of open spaces in the health and wellbeing of residents and he committed to taking the agreed recommendations forward.

Councillor Andrew Wood, Leader of the Conservative Group, welcomed the report but challenged why there wasn’t a complete commitment not to build on open spaces.

The Mayor welcomed the report. He highlighted that the borough generally lacked open spaces and that it was vital those that existed were used in the best way possible. He thanked scrutiny and officers for their work. He noted the Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses and agreed the recommendation as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the scrutiny report of Housing Open Spaces (to improve health, environmental quality, economic and social outcomes through Housing Open Spaces) and agree the action plan in response to the report recommendations.

DECISION

1.    To note the Quarter 2 2019/20 summary status as set out at the beginning of the attached monitoring report;

2.    To note the performance of the strategic measures at the end of Quarter 2 2019/20, including those measures where the minimum expectation has been missed; and

3.    To note progress in delivering Strategic Plan activities.

Action by:

CHIEF EXECUTIVE (W. TUCKLEY)

(Divisional Director, Strategy, Policy and Performance (S. Godman)

(Head of Intelligence and Performance (T. Dreyer)

The Mayor introduced the latest quarterly performance and improvement monitoring report. He noted the good progress in many areas but also the need to focus on the issues highlighted. He welcomed the engagement of scrutiny in monitoring the Council’s performance. He noted how this work fed into the Strategic Plan for the coming year.

He agreed the recommendations as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the Quarter 2 2019/20 summary status as set out at the beginning of the attached monitoring report;

2.    To note the performance of the strategic measures at the end of Quarter 2 2019/20, including those measures where the minimum expectation has been missed; and

3.    To note progress in delivering Strategic Plan activities.

The Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses were noted.

DECISION

1.    To note the Council’s projected outturn position against General Fund, Dedicated Schools Budget and Housing Revenue Account budgets agreed for 2019-20, based on information as at the end of September as detailed in the Appendices to the report.

2.    To note and approve the three capital change notes, total of £8.962m to be added into the Council’s capital programme, as detailed in Appendix 7 to the report.

3.    To note that there are no equalities implications directly resulting from this report, as set out in Paragraph 4 of the report.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (N. MURTON)

(Head of Strategic and Corporate Finance (A. Bannin)

Councillor Candida Ronald, Cabinet Member for Resources and the Voluntary Sector introduced the latest capital and budget monitoring report. She highlighted the challenge in meeting the required savings levels with overspends predicted in a number of high pressure services such as children’s social care and transport services. These pressures were being seen by many authorities but would nevertheless need to be managed.

The Mayor confirmed that there were serious challenges for the Council. He welcomed scrutiny’s involvement in monitoring the Council’s performance. Finally, he noted that the Council awaited any spending announcements by the new government following the upcoming general election.

He noted the Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses and agreed the recommendations as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the Council’s projected outturn position against General Fund, Dedicated Schools Budget and Housing Revenue Account budgets agreed for 2019-20, based on information as at the end of September as detailed in the Appendices to the report.

2.    To note and approve the three capital change notes, total of £8.962m to be added into the Council’s capital programme, as detailed in Appendix 7 to the report.

3.    To note that there are no equalities implications directly resulting from this report, as set out in Paragraph 4 of the report.

Nil items.

Should the Mayor in Cabinet consider it necessary, it is recommended that the following motion be adopted to allow consideration of any exempt/restricted documents.

“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)

Nil items.

Nil items.

Nil items.

Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) to report on any issues  raised by the OSC in relation to exempt/confidential business to be considered.

Nil items.

Nil items.

Nil items.