Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Denise Radley (Corporate Director, Health, Adults and Community) for whom Warwick Tomsett (Joint Director of Integrated Commissioning) deputised.

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 24 November 2021 are presented for approval.

RESOLVED

1.    That the unrestricted minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday 24 November 2021 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record of proceedings.

The Mayor made a number of announcements:

·         Nida House, Shadwell, he noted the recent tragedy where a young child lost her life apparently through gas poisoning. Two other residents were in hospital. The Council was offering support where it could and was liaising with the owner of the block and with the police who are investigating.

·         Covid-19 – the country had moved to ‘Plan B’ with rising cases and hospital admissions, experience showed we must be cautious and treat this very seriously. He encouraged everyone to behave sensibly and to get their vaccinations and boosters.

·         Budget process – the Cabinet dates relating to the budget process had changed, the draft budget would be considered on 18 January and the final budget on 9 February before being forwarded to Council.

·         Healthy Schools – he highlighted excellent results at the recent Healthy Schools awards from the Mayor of London. Tower Hamlets had been the most successful borough with the highest number of awards in all categories. Seven schools also appeared in the national top 500. Mayflower School was particularly singled out for praise. He congratulated everyone involved.

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 the following agenda items.

·         6.1 Net Zero Carbon Partnership Action Plan

·         6.3 Liveable Streets Shadwell consultation outcome report

·         6.4 Harriott, Apsley and Pattison Houses Regeneration Scheme

·         6.8 Disposal of Bromley Hall School and associated land

·         6.9 Canon Barnett Primary School Academy Conversion

In addition, as part of the Budget and Policy Framework, the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s response to the report on the Annual Plan for the Youth Justice Board 2021-22 was tabled.

These documents were considered in relation to the discussion of the relevant agenda items.

In addition, Councillor Mohammed Pappu, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, provided Cabinet with an update on the Committee’s recent activities. The Committee had held a meeting earlier in the week at which a number of issues had been discussed including:

·         A spotlight session on the Housing portfolio; waiting lists, homelessness and rising rent/fuel poverty issues were particularly noted. A number of recommendations for actions are being prepared.

·         A review of the report following the Council’s Budget consultation exercise. The Committee look forward to scrutinising the Council’s budget proposals.

·         Examined the Annual Plan for the Youth Justice Board hearing about the key challenges the Council faced.

·         Explored progress against the actions identified in the scrutiny reviews on premises charges and the community benefit rent reduction scheme.

·         Agreed their report following the Parking permit policy scrutiny review with a number of recommendations for consideration by the executive.

The Mayor thanked Cllr Mohammed Pappu for his update.

(Under provisions of Section 30, Rule 59 of the Constitution).

Nil items.

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

DECISION

1.    To note that the council has signed up to the UK 100 Net Zero Pledge to become a Net Zero Borough by 2045 at the latest.

2.    To note that Net Zero Carbon Partnership Action Plan (live document) is agreed by the PEG and launched to coincide with the international climate event COP (Conference of Parties) 26.

3.    To note next steps for a partner’s initiative to establish a Climate Alliance and development of the Net Zero Carbon Borough Action Plan.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)

(Director of Public Realm (D. Jones)

(Head of Energy, Sustainability and Private Sector Housing (A. Khan)

(Strategy and Policy Manager (Place) (A. Kamali)

Councillor Asma Islam, Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, introduced the report. She highlighted that the Council has previously declared a climate emergency in 2019 and this action plan was an important aspect of the challenge of becoming a zero-carbon authority by 2025 and a zero-carbon borough by 2045. She thanked all the partners, from many different sectors who were involved in supporting this plan and thanked officers whose hard work had made it possible.

The Mayor welcomed the report, noted the Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses and proposed the recommendations as set out. These were unanimously agreed by the Members present and it was:

RESOLVED

1.    To note that the council has signed up to the UK 100 Net Zero Pledge to become a Net Zero Borough by 2045 at the latest.

2.    To note that Net Zero Carbon Partnership Action Plan (live document) is agreed by the PEG and launched to coincide with the international climate event COP (Conference of Parties) 26.

3.    To note next steps for a partner’s initiative to establish a Climate Alliance and development of the Net Zero Carbon Borough Action Plan.

DECISION

1.    To note the outcome of the Council’s 2022-23 budget consultation with business ratepayers, residents and other key stakeholders.

Action by:

INTERIM CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (K. BARTLE)

(Head of Strategic Corporate Finance (A. Bannin)

Councillor Candida Ronald, Cabinet Member for Resources and the Voluntary Sector, introduced the report setting out responses to the Council’s budget consultation exercise. She introduced Nisar Visram, Director of Finance, Procurement and Audit who took Members through the report in more detail. He highlighted a number of points including:

·         The consultation had run from 4 October to 15 November.

·         1843 responses had been received whilst other people and businesses had been directly interviewed – a break down of responses by equalities characteristics was available in the report.

·         Responses were from residents and businesses.

·         Residents’ top priority was community safety, which was a change from Public Health last year.

·         Popular actions to help achieve savings included encouraging digital take up of services, reducing agency spend and generating more commercial income. There was also notable support for the social care precept.

The Mayor welcomed the report and highlighted that it formed part of the Council’s overall budget process and the findings would be considered before publication of the draft budget proposals. He proposed the recommendations as set out. These were unanimously agreed by the Members present and it was:

RESOLVED

1.    To note the outcome of the Council’s 2022-23 budget consultation with business ratepayers, residents and other key stakeholders.

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

DECISION

1.    To note the results of the engagement and public consultation of Shadwell Liveable Streets

2.    To note the proposed scheme design for the Shadwell area as part of the Liveable Streets programme (Appendix B to the report) and summarised in section 3.3 of the report.

3.    To approve the use of existing frameworks or term contracts to award an order up to the value determined for completion of the works.

4.    To approve the use of traffic orders to facilitate the proposals set out in this report.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)

(Director of Public Realm (D. Jones)

(Team Leader – Programme Commissioning and Monitoring (M. Chibou)

Councillor Kahar Chowdhury, Cabinet Member for Public Realm and Highways, introduced the report setting out the outcomes of the recent Liveable Streets Shadwell consultation.

He highlighted that the schemes in the plan were designed to make the area safer and more pleasant for local residents. He took Members through schemes in more detail including the station links, school street and bus route improvements, addressing speeding issues and more. He thanked officers for their hard work on the project.

The Mayor welcomed the report. He noted the strong support indicated through the consultation although he also noted that sometimes objections would only be raised once the scheme was in operation. The Council would monitor the projects as they were implemented.

Members noted the importance of listening to the views of local residents and the feedback received through the consultation and also the expected reduction in pollution when school streets were introduced.

The Mayor acknowledged the hard work undertaken to date. He noted the Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses and proposed the recommendations as set out in the report. These were unanimously approved by the Members present and it was:

RESOLVED

1.    To note the results of the engagement and public consultation of Shadwell Liveable Streets

2.    To note the proposed scheme design for the Shadwell area as part of the Liveable Streets programme (Appendix B to the report) and summarised in section 3.3 of the report.

3.    To approve the use of existing frameworks or term contracts to award an order up to the value determined for completion of the works.

4.    To approve the use of traffic orders to facilitate the proposals set out in this report.

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

DECISION

1.    To approve the budget allocation of £86.000m to fund the first three years of the delivery programme, to include land assembly costs and settlements, such as leaseholder buy-backs, tenant decants and relocation of non-residential interests; fees associated with design, procurement and legal activities; and delivery of the first phase of the development comprising in the region of 100 new council homes and a new community centre, subject to planning.

2.    To note that approval will be sought from the Common Housing Register Forum for decant status for tenants be granted to allow secure tenants that want to move off the estate the opportunity to do so, via the Choice Based Lettings system.

3.    To agree a Demolition Notice be implemented across the estate to allow land assembly and to ensure there are no further Right-to-Buy applications, as acquisitions of the existing leasehold properties takes place.

4.    To agree to the payment of Home Loss payments and other good practice compensation for decanting tenants and for leaseholder buy-back purchases, ahead of any CPO process being progressed by the council (these are statutory payments under CPO legislation).

5.    To delegate to the Corporate Director of Place the authority to appoint external consultants to assess and agree any compensation due to the neighbouring residents or interests; and thereafter to enter into any documentation to extinguish and/or to settle compensation for any infringement by the development of property rights benefitting neighbouring properties (including Rights to Light).

6.    To delegate authority to the Director of Place and the Director of Legal Services to agree the terms of and enter into any documentation required to settle any property matters necessary to progress the regeneration scheme.

7.    To note the intention to bring a further report to Cabinet in 2022 on the use of Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) powers, which will empower the Council to acquire all land and property interests within the Order Land necessary to facilitate the delivery of the scheme, the use of s203 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 and the use of s19 of the Land Acquisition Act 1981

8.    To agree the principle of relocating the Redcoat Community Centre and Mosque in accordance with the approach set out in section 7 of the report and to delegate the terms of an agreement for lease of a new facility to the Corporate Director of Place, with terms agreed to be included in the scheme’s next report to Cabinet in 2022.

9.    To agree the relocation of Vibrance to the proposed Pritchards Road site and the associated fit-out works required to make it fit for purpose. Delegate the terms of an agreement for the lease to the Corporate Director of Place, with terms agreed to be included in the scheme’s next report to Cabinet in 2022.

10.To agree the proposed procurement route to secure a suitable developer partner or build contractor to deliver the scheme through an open negotiated tender  ...  view the full decision text for item 6.4

Councillor Danny Hassell, Cabinet Member for Housing, introduced the report on proposals to regenerate Harriott, Apsley and Pattison Houses. The recommendations would enable this ambitious project to progress. Extensive consultation has been undertaken and significant community support had been demonstrated. The project would develop 400 well-designed new homes with a space for the Red Coat Community Facility and Mosque. A day centre currently on site was being relocated.

This was the first report in relation to the scheme with specific decisions required set out in the recommendations, including around the buy-back of leaseholder homes and information about decanting residents. The funding set out was contained within the Housing Revenue Account budget planning.

Finally he thanked officers for their hard work and to the residents who have taken time to help shape the proposals.

The Cabinet heard from two local residents from the steering group who strongly supported the proposals set out. They thanked the Council for the work to bring residents into the process for developing the exciting plans. Cabinet also noted how important it was for services to residents to continue at the same standard throughout the development work and for the mosque to continue to be able to operate.

The Mayor welcomed the report and the scheme set out. He stated how important it was to get the project moving. He noted the Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses and proposed the recommendations as set out. These were unanimously agreed by the Members present and it was:

RESOLVED

1.    To approve the budget allocation of £86.000m to fund the first three years of the delivery programme, to include land assembly costs and settlements, such as leaseholder buy-backs, tenant decants and relocation of non-residential interests; fees associated with design, procurement and legal activities; and delivery of the first phase of the development comprising in the region of 100 new council homes and a new community centre, subject to planning.

2.    To note that approval will be sought from the Common Housing Register Forum for decant status for tenants be granted to allow secure tenants that want to move off the estate the opportunity to do so, via the Choice Based Lettings system.

3.    To agree a Demolition Notice be implemented across the estate to allow land assembly and to ensure there are no further Right-to-Buy applications, as acquisitions of the existing leasehold properties takes place.

4.    To agree to the payment of Home Loss payments and other good practice compensation for decanting tenants and for leaseholder buy-back purchases, ahead of any CPO process being progressed by the council (these are statutory payments under CPO legislation).

5.    To delegate to the Corporate Director of Place the authority to appoint external consultants to assess and agree any compensation due to the neighbouring residents or interests; and thereafter to enter into any documentation to extinguish and/or to settle compensation for any infringement by the development of property rights benefitting neighbouring properties (including Rights to Light).

6.    To delegate authority to the Corporate  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.4

DECISION

1.    To note the report of the Adults Learning Disability Health Scrutiny Challenge Session Report and agree the action plan in response to the report recommendations.

Action by:

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

(Commissioning Manager (M. Clavier)

(Commissioning Manager (A. Gosling)

Councillor Rachel Blake, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing, introduced the report. She highlighted that the review had been going on for some time and that the context had changed significantly over that period due to the pandemic. She welcomed the thorough work of the Scrutiny Committee and the valuable report they had presented. This group of residents had seen a particularly negative impact from the pandemic. Two particular themes that were important were on transition planning from children to adult social care and then also the development of suitable accommodation for adults with learning disabilities. This work was ongoing.

Councillor Gabriella Salva Macallan, Chair of the Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee thanked officers for reviewing the original recommendations following the experiences of the pandemic. She highlighted that the committee had concerns over issues such as the mortality rate noted in the report and in speech and language support. She asked that key performance indicators be reported to the sub-committee on a regular basis.

The Mayor welcomed the report and highlighted the importance of this area of work. He proposed the recommendation as set out, this was unanimously agreed by those Members present and it was:

RESOLVED

1.    To note the report of the Adults Learning Disability Health Scrutiny Challenge Session Report and agree the action plan in response to the report recommendations.

Considered under the Budget and Policy Framework.

The response of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee was noted.

DECISION

1.    To note the contents of the Annual Youth Justice Plan 2021/22 for Tower Hamlets and the City of London which will be progressed to Full Council for approval in accordance with the Council’s Budget and Policy Framework procedure rules.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, CHILDREN AND CULTURE (J. THOMAS)

(Director of Supporting Families (R. Baldwin)

(Acting Head of Youth Justice and Young People’s Service (B. Finnegan)

Councillor Asma Begum, Statutory Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Children, Youth Services, Education and Equalities, introduced the Budget and Policy Framework report on the Annual Plan for the Youth Justice Board 2021/22, noting that the report would proceed on to Council for final approval.

She explained that the youth justice management board signed off the plan in July and that it outlined the vision and strategy for the best possible future for the best possible support. There are three key performance indicators on first time entrance, reoffending and custody rates. An inspection is also expected soon and a lot of preparation work has taken place. The report sets out the key target areas and plans.

The Mayor welcomed the report for an important part of the Council’s work. He thanked everyone involved in developing the plan which was a multi-agency approach. He noted the response of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and proposed the recommendation as set out. This was unanimously agreed and it was:

RESOLVED

1.    To note the contents of the Annual Youth Justice Plan 2021/22 for Tower Hamlets and the City of London which will be progressed to Full Council for approval in accordance with the Council’s Budget and Policy Framework procedure rules.

The exempt appendix was noted.

DECISION

1.    To grant the Corporate Director of Place delegated authority to conclude the letting of Bromley Public Hall after advising the Mayor and Lead Member.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)

(Head of Asset Management (S. Shapiro)

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin, Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion, introduced the report on the letting of Bromley Public Hall. She highlighted that this was a much-loved building formerly used by the Registrars service. The Council had reviewed use of the site and concluded it was surplus to requirements and so a decision was required to delegate authority to conclude the letting of the building.

The exempt appendix was noted. The appendix was exempt due to Paragraph 3 (financial or business affairs of any person / authority) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

The Mayor welcomed the report and proposed the recommendation as set out. This was unanimously approved by the Members present and it was:

RESOLVED

1.    To grant the Corporate Director of Place delegated authority to conclude the letting of Bromley Public Hall after advising the Mayor and Lead Member.

The exempt appendix was noted.

Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses were noted.

DECISION

1.    To agree authority to dispose of the vacant Bromley Hall School and land adjacent on a freehold or long leasehold basis.

2.    To authorise the Corporate Director, Place to enter into a direct negotiation with Poplar HARCA.

3.    To agree that if an acceptable proposal cannot be agreed with Poplar HARCA, or the discussions are becoming protracted, to authorise the Corporate Director, Place to market the site and dispose on the open market.

4.    To note the Equalities Impact Assessment.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTFLIFFE)

(Interim Asset Manager (T. Parsonage)

(Head of Asset Management (S. Shapiro)

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin, Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion, introduced the report on the disposal of Bromley Hall school and associated lands. This will assist with Poplar HARCA with decanting residents in relation to their project at the site. Disposal includes a requirement to improve the building. The recommendations allowed for a number of outcomes depending on negotiations with Poplar HARCA.

The exempt appendix was noted. The appendix was exempt due to Paragraph 3 (financial or business affairs of any person / authority) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

The Mayor noted the Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses and proposed the recommendations as set out. These were unanimously agreed by Members present and it was:

RESOLVED

1.    To agree authority to dispose of the vacant Bromley Hall School and land adjacent on a freehold or long leasehold basis.

2.    To authorise the Corporate Director, Place to enter into a direct negotiation with Poplar HARCA.

3.    To agree that if an acceptable proposal cannot be agreed with Poplar HARCA, or the discussions are becoming protracted, to authorise the Corporate Director, Place to market the site and dispose on the open market.

4.    To note the Equalities Impact Assessment.

The Pre-Decision Scrutiny Question and officer response was noted.

DECISION

1.    To authorise the grant of a 125-year lease to the Mulberry Schools Trust for Canon Barnett primary school

2.    To authorise the Corporate Director, Place, to agree final terms and conditions for the grant of the new lease.

3.    To authorise the execution of any other land related agreement to allow for the Mulberry Schools Trust operation of the Academy from the transfer date

4.    To authorise the council to enter into commercial and staffing transfer agreements on suitably agreed terms.

5.    To authorise the Corporate Director, Children and Culture, after consultation with the Corporate Director, Resources, and Director of Legal, to enter into and undertake remaining issues and/or agreements associated with the conversion.

6.    To authorise the Director of Legal (Monitoring Officer), to execute all documentation required to implement the decisions.

7.    To authorise the Corporate Director, Resources, to execute the Local Government (Contract) Act 1997 Certificate required to implement the decisions.

8.    To note the equalities considerations as set out in Paragraph 5.1 of the report.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, CHILDREN AND CULTURE (J. THOMAS)

(Head of Strategy and Policy – Children and Culture (L. Richards)

Councillor Asma Begum, Statutory Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Children, Youth Services, Education and Equalities, introduced the report on the Academy Conversion of Canon Barnett Primary School. It was noted that this was a technical report where the Council is obliged to support the School’s conversion to academy status. However, the Council is supportive of the Academy conversion to help secure the future of the school.

The Mayor noted the Pre-Decision Scrutiny Question and officer response and proposed the recommendations as set out. These were unanimously agreed by the Members present and it was:

RESOLVED

1.    To authorise the grant of a 125-year lease to the Mulberry Schools Trust for Canon Barnett primary school

2.    To authorise the Corporate Director, Place, to agree final terms and conditions for the grant of the new lease.

3.    To authorise the execution of any other land related agreement to allow for the Mulberry Schools Trust operation of the Academy from the transfer date

4.    To authorise the council to enter into commercial and staffing transfer agreements on suitably agreed terms.

5.    To authorise the Corporate Director, Children and Culture, after consultation with the Corporate Director, Resources, and Director of Legal, to enter into and undertake remaining issues and/or agreements associated with the conversion.

6.    To authorise the Director of Legal (Monitoring Officer), to execute all documentation required to implement the decisions.

7.    To authorise the Corporate Director, Resources, to execute the Local Government (Contract) Act 1997 Certificate required to implement the decisions.

8.    To note the equalities considerations as set out in Paragraph 5.1 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.

(Under provisions of Section 30, Rule 59 of the Constitution).

Nil items.

Nil items.