There were no apologies for absence.

Members are reminded to consider the categories of interest, identified 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, see the attached note from the Monitoring Officer.

Members are also reminded to declare the nature of the interest at the earliest opportunity and the agenda item it relates to. Please note that ultimately it is the Members’ responsibility to identify any interests and also update their register of interests form as required by the Code.

If in doubt as to the nature of an interest, you are advised to seek advice prior to the meeting by contacting the Monitoring Officer or Democratic Services.

There were no Declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests.

The unrestricted minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday 3 June 2020 are presented for approval.

RESOLVED

1.    That the unrestricted minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday 3 June 2020 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record of proceedings.

The Mayor made a number of announcements at the meeting, including that:

·       He had held a successful, virtual, ‘Ask the Mayor’ event the previous evening attended by up to 180 residents.

·       He noted the current parliamentary debate in relation to the Westferry Print Works planning application.

·       This was the last Cabinet meeting for Debbie Jones, Corporate Director, Children and Culture. He highlighted how important her work was to the Council and he thanked her for the big contribution she had made to supporting residents in Tower Hamlets. He wished her well for the future. Councillor Danny Hassell, Cabinet Member for Children and Schools echoed the words of thanks.

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 tabled in respect of agenda items:

·       6.2 – Contract variation for diesel surcharge on paid for parking

·       6.3 – SME Energy Improvement Grants Programme – Phase 2

·       6.4 – Update on the Regional Adoption Agency, Adoption London East.

These were considered during discussion of each relevant agenda item.

In addition, Councillor James King, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, provided Cabinet with a brief update on his Committee’s recent activity.

He reported that the Committee were continuing to review the Council and borough’s response to COVID-19 and that they were looking to produce a report to help identify any learning and actions that could be taken forward.

As part of this work they received a number of presentations at their last meeting including from;

·       Pam Bhamra, Chair of Tower Hamlets Housing Forum and Director of Operations at Tower Hamlets Community Housing,

·       Ian Parkes, Chief Executive of East London Business Alliance,

·       Dr Jackie Applebee and Dr Naureen Bhatti, Chair and Vice Chair of Tower Hamlets Local Medical Committee,

·       Sister Christine of Neighbours in Poplar.

The Mayor thanked him for his update.

Nil items.

The Mayor reported that this item had been withdrawn. However, he highlighted that discussions were continuing on potential financial assistance for GLL and that a decision report may follow at a later date.

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

DECISION

1.    To approve a variation to the existing paid for parking contract to accommodate for the application of the diesel surcharge; and

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

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)

(Parking Development Investigation Manager (E. Cullinan)

Cabinet Member Dan Tomlinson, Cabinet Member for Environment and Public Realm (Job Share) (Lead on Public Realm), introduced the report. He highlighted that the diesel surcharge had already been agreed and that this report allowed for a variation in the parking contract to allow for that change.

The Mayor highlighted the importance of discouraging diesel vehicles due to the air pollution they created. He noted the Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses and agreed the recommendations as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To approve a variation to the existing paid for parking contract to accommodate for the application of the diesel surcharge; and

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

Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses were noted.

DECISION

1.    To approve the grant funding of £225,000 to deliver the SME Energy Reduction Programme – Phase 2.

2.    To authorise the Corporate Director, Place  to enter into grant agreements and make any associated decisions in order to distribute the funding in accordance with this report.

3.    To authorise the Corporate Director, Place to nominate a Council officer or officers as the Corporate Director, Place shall determine to sign on behalf of the Council any grant agreements and or offer letters necessary for the fulfilment of this scheme.

Acton by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)

(Environmental Sustainability Officer (D. Esdaile)

Councillor Asma Islam, Cabinet Member for Environment and Public Realm (Job Share) (Lead on Environment), introduced the report on phase two of the energy improvement grants programme for small and medium sized enterprises. She highlighted that the grants would enable businesses to reduce their carbon emissions whilst also reducing their costs which could then be re-invested into their businesses.

The Mayor welcomed the report. He noted concerns around emissions from gas boilers and heard reassurance that all projects were assessed for how much carbon emissions would be reduced. He noted the Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses and agreed the recommendations as set out..

RESOLVED

1.    To approve the grant funding of £225,000 to deliver the SME Energy Reduction Programme – Phase 2.

2.    To authorise the Corporate Director, Place  to enter into grant agreements and make any associated decisions in order to distribute the funding in accordance with this report.

3.    To authorise the Corporate Director, Place to nominate a Council officer or officers as the Corporate Director, Place shall determine to sign on behalf of the Council any grant agreements and or offer letters necessary for the fulfilment of this scheme.

Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses were noted.

DECISION

1.    To note the progress made in establishing the new Regional Adoption Agency, and the review of practice and performance in the first six months of operation.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, CHILDREN AND CULTURE (D. JONES)

(Divisional Director, Children’s Social Care (R. Baldwin)

(Service Manager, Regulated Services (L-M. Minnis)

Councillor Danny Hassell, Cabinet Member for Children and Schools, introduced the update report on the ‘Adoption London East’ Regional Adoption Agency. In particular he highlighted the work that had been undertaken to bring the services together and that now they were looking for it to improve outcomes and performance. It was noted that performance data was improving and the service continued to do well when compared with other regions but that there were still improvements that could be made including around effective working with the courts.

The Mayor noted that there would be regular performance monitoring and that the Corporate Parenting Board would be taking a key role in this. He noted the Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses and agreed the recommendation as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the progress made in establishing the new Regional Adoption Agency, and the review of practice and performance in the first six months of operation.

DECISION

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

2.    To agree the nominations to London Councils Committees as shown in Paragraph 3.8 of the report.

Action by:

HEAD OF MAYOR’S OFFICE (D. COURCOUX)

(Committee Services Officer (J. West)

The Mayor introduced the report setting out a number of nominations to Outside Bodies. He agreed the nominations as set out.

RESOLVED

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

2.    To agree the nominations to London Councils Committees as shown in Paragraph 3.8 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.