Apologies for absence were received on behalf of:

·         Councillor Candida Ronald (Cabinet Member for Resources and the Voluntary Sector)

·         Councillor Danny Hassell (Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Young People) who would need to leave the meeting early to attend another Committee as would Debbie Jones (Corporate Director, Children and Culture)

There were no Declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests.

The unrestricted minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday 29 January 2020 are presented for approval.

RESOLVED

1.    That the unrestricted minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday 29 January 2020 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record of the meeting.

The Mayor noted a few changes to areas of responsibility for Cabinet Lead Members. Firstly Youth Services would be moving from Councillor Danny Hassell, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Young People, over to Councillor Asma Begum, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Equalities and secondly Contract Services were moving to Councillor Candida Ronald, Cabinet Member for Resources and the Voluntary Sector.

Responsibility for Adult and Community Learning remained with Councillor Motin Uz-Zaman, Cabinet Member for Work and Economic Growth).

All relevant Cabinet Member web pages would be updated to reflect these changes.

Denise Radley, Corporate Director, Health, Adults and Community then updated Cabinet on the Council’s preparation work for facing the threat posed by the Coronavirus. She reminded everyone of the national public health message to ‘Catch it, Bin it, Kill it’. The Mayor reminded everyone to keep calm and to follow the advice given out by relevant organisations.

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 relation to Agenda Items:

·         6.1 – Liveable Streets Wapping

·         6.2 – Youth Service Review 2019/20

·         6.3 – Determination of School Admission Arrangements 2021/22

·         6.5 – Quarterly Performance and Improvement Monitoring – Q3 2019/20

These were considered during discussion of the relevant agenda items.

Councillor James King, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC), also provided Members with an update from their recent meeting. He reported that the meeting had considered a number of issues including:

·         Changes in customer services with the closure of One Stop Shops and the move to digital provision of services.

·         A report back on a scrutiny challenge session in relation to Premises Charges.

·         An update on how the new Children’s and Education Scrutiny Sub-Committee was progress following its establishment last summer.

·         A review of the decision making around the closure of the One O’ Clock Club in Victoria Park and whether the decision had been a Key Decision.

The Mayor thanked him for his update.

Nil items.

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

DECISION

1.    To note the results of the engagement to date and public consultation of Wapping Liveable Streets.

2.    To approve the final scheme design for the Wapping area as part of the Liveable Streets programme (Appendix B to the report).

3.    To approve the use of using existing frameworks or term contracts to award an order up to a value of £1.1 million for the completion of the works.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)

(Divisional Director, Public Realm (D. Jones)

(Programme Director (C. Harrison)

The Mayor introduced the report. He highlighted the importance of the Liveable Streets Programme in improving the lives of local people by reducing pollution and traffic whilst encouraging walking and cycling.

In response to questions officers confirmed that the Wapping Bus Gate was a separate development but its effectiveness was being monitored by officers.

The Mayor noted the changes proposed including the general aim of enabling better pedestrian access to Wapping High Street. He noted the consultation responses and the Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses. Finally he noted that the proposals would be monitored as necessary and he agreed the recommendations as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the results of the engagement to date and public consultation of Wapping Liveable Streets.

2.    To approve the final scheme design for the Wapping area as part of the Liveable Streets programme (Appendix B to the report).

3.    To approve the use of using existing frameworks or term contracts to award an order up to a value of £1.1 million for the completion of the works.

The reasons for urgency were agreed.

The recommendations were amended and then agreed.

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

DECISION

1.            To endorse the proposal set out in the report to create a newly restructured, mixed economy Youth Service subject to further consultation with the Mayor on the overall budget envelope;

2.            To approve a new 12 month contract, from 1st April 2020 to 31st March 2021, to all current Community and Voluntary Sectors (CVS) youth activity providers (universal and specialist) in order to provide continuity of provision and to coincide with the implementation of the redesigned youth service in 2021/22 subject to a further consultation with the Mayor over the impact of cost growth on service providers.

3.            To note that an update report would be presented to Cabinet later in the process.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, CHILDREN AND CULTURE (D. JONES)

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

(Youth Service Strategic Development Lead (M. Bannis-Royer)

The Mayor moved the report on the review into the Youth Service and proposals for change.

He agreed the reasons for urgency as set out in the report, namely:

·         This report was not available for publication by the statutory publication deadline because additional information was required.  It is presented for determination at this meeting as it is not possible to defer until the March Cabinet meeting because approval is sought from Cabinet to issue new contracts to existing commissioned providers. These will commence from 1st April 2020 to 31st March 2021. It should also be noted that the report title and a summary of the content of the report were made available as part of the original meeting agenda.

Councillor Danny Hassell, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Young People, introduced the report. He highlighted how this provided the high level proposals and that discussions would take place with service providers and young people to determine more details about the shape of individual services. He noted the proposed mix of in-house and outsources provision and stated that external partners were often able to secure additional funding from sources not usually available to Councils.

In discussion it was noted that areas of coverage, quality of buildings and staffing arrangements would all need further discussions. It was also confirmed that an Equalities Impact Assessment would take place as part of the project.

During discussion, Cabinet also heard from service providers and young people. Concerns were expressed to make sure that a good quality service was still available to young people.

In relation to the proposal to extend existing contracts, the Mayor noted concerns that provider costs had increased over time and so an extension at existing contract values could be difficult to manage.

The Mayor noted concerns expressed around the proposed budgetary savings and also the impact of cost increases to service providers. He amended the recommendations to highlight his wish for updates on those issues. He also highlighted that further reports would be presented to Cabinet (and potentially Scrutiny meetings) on the review as it progressed.

He then agreed the recommendations as amended.

RESOLVED

1.            To endorse the proposal set out in the report to create a newly restructured, mixed economy Youth Service subject to further consultation with the Mayor on the overall budget envelope;

2.            To approve a new 12 month contract, from 1st April 2020 to 31st March 2021, to all current Community and Voluntary Sectors (CVS) youth activity providers (universal and specialist) in order to provide continuity of provision and to coincide with the implementation of the redesigned youth service in 2021/22 subject to a further consultation with the Mayor over the impact of cost growth on service providers.

3.            To note that an update report would be presented to Cabinet later in the process.

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

DECISION

1.     To agree the admissions policy and oversubscription criteria for admission to Community Nursery Schools/Classes in 2021/22, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

2.     To agree the admissions policy and oversubscription criteria for admission to Community Primary Schools in 2021/22, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report.

3.     To agree the admissions policy and oversubscription criteria for admission to Community Secondary Schools in 2021/22 as set out in Appendix 3 to the report.

4.     To agree the schemes for co-ordinating admissions to, Nursery, Reception and Year 7 for 2021/22, as set out in Appendix 4 to the report.

5.     To agree the scheme for co-ordinating ‘In-Year’ Admissions for 2021/22, as set out in Appendix 5 to the report.

6.     To agree the planned admission number for each school in Tower Hamlets in 2021/22, as set out in Appendix 6 to the report, noting the change in numbers at:

·         Cayley Primary School

·         Malmesbury Primary School.

·         Olga Primary School.

·         Canon Barnett Primary School

·         Bangabandhu Primary School.

·         Stewart Headlam Primary School

·         Oaklands Secondary School.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, CHILDREN AND CULTURE (D. JONES)

(Service Head, Pupil Services and School Sufficiency (T. Bryan)

Councillor Danny Hassell, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Young People, introduced the yearly report setting out School Admission Arrangements. He highlighted the need to balance school places with demand looking at likely demographic changes to come. The hard work of schools and officers was noted in preparing the report.

The Mayor thanked everyone for their contributions and noted the Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses. He agreed the recommendations as set out including noting the changes to admission numbers at the listed schools.

RESOLVED

1.     To agree the admissions policy and oversubscription criteria for admission to Community Nursery Schools/Classes in 2021/22, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

2.     To agree the admissions policy and oversubscription criteria for admission to Community Primary Schools in 2021/22, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report.

3.     To agree the admissions policy and oversubscription criteria for admission to Community Secondary Schools in 2021/22 as set out in Appendix 3 to the report.

4.     To agree the schemes for co-ordinating admissions to, Nursery, Reception and Year 7 for 2021/22, as set out in Appendix 4 to the report.

5.     To agree the scheme for co-ordinating ‘In-Year’ Admissions for 2021/22, as set out in Appendix 5 to the report.

6.     To agree the planned admission number for each school in Tower Hamlets in 2021/22, as set out in Appendix 6 to the report, noting the change in numbers at:

·         Cayley Primary School

·         Malmesbury Primary School.

·         Olga Primary School.

·         Canon Barnett Primary School

·         Bangabandhu Primary School.

·         Stewart Headlam Primary School

·         Oaklands Secondary School.

The recommendations were amended and then agreed.

DECISION

1.    To agree the arrangements for the refinancing of the Poplar Baths Scheme

2.    To delegate to the Corporate Director, Resources in consultation with the Corporate Director, Governance, approval for changes to the project documentation to give effect to the refinancing proposal (including but not limited to paragraph 3.41 of the report) and to finalise and arranging the execution of all arrangements and documents (including those ancillary to the documents mentioned [above]).

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (N. MURTON)

The Mayor introduced the report. He explained that the PFI arrangements in relation to Poplar Baths required refinancing to ensure best available value to the Council. Underwriting ensured the risk to the Council was covered. He also noted a request to change the second recommendation to clarify the role of officers in actioning the decision. He agreed the recommendations with that amendment.

RESOLVED

1.    To agree the arrangements for the refinancing of the Poplar Baths Scheme

2.    To delegate to the Corporate Director, Resources in consultation with the Corporate Director, Governance, approval for changes to the project documentation to give effect to the refinancing proposal (including but not limited to paragraph 3.41 of the report) and to finalise and arranging the execution of all arrangements and documents (including those ancillary to the documents mentioned [above]).

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

DECISION

1.    To note the Quarter 3 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 3 2019/20; 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 regular performance monitoring report highlighting how it demonstrated how the Council was meeting the Mayor’s manifesto promises. He also noted areas that were proving challenging.

He noted the Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses and welcomed Scrutiny oversight of the performance monitoring. He agreed the recommendations as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the Quarter 3 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 3 2019/20; and

3.    To note progress in delivering Strategic Plan activities.

DECISION

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

2.    To approve the capital change notes, total of £12.6m 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 Section 4 of the report.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (N. MURTON)

(Chief Accountant (T. Harlock)

The Mayor introduced the regular financial monitoring report. He highlighted the financial challenges the Council was facing in light of reduced government funding and increased service pressures.

He also highlighted that the report set out a number of new Capital programme approvals investing in new housing and community hub schemes amongst others.

He agreed the recommendations as set out.

RESOLVED

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

2.    To approve the capital change notes, total of £12.6m 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 Section 4 of the report.

The reasons for urgency were agreed.

DECISION

1.    To agree the nominations to outside bodies as shown in Paragraph 3.3 of the report.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, GOVERNANCE (A. HUSSAIN)

(Senior Committee Services Officer (J. West)

The Mayor introduced the report proposing nominations to two outside bodies. He also agreed the reasons for urgency as set out in the report, namely that:

·         Outside bodies have recently advised the Council that, due to changes in their circumstances, previous nominees are no longer eligible to serve on their boards. It is considered appropriate that the Council re-nominates to these positions without delay to ensure outside bodies are able to direct their operations in accordance with their governance rules and the Council’s perspective continues to be included in this.

The Mayor agreed the recommendation as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To agree the nominations to outside bodies as shown in Paragraph 3.3 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.

The exempt / confidential minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on xxxxxx are presented for approval.

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.

Nil items.

Nil items.

Nil items.