Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillor Kabir Hussain, Cabinet Member for Environment and the Climate Emergency.

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 26 October 2022 are presented for approval.

RESOLVED

1.    That the unrestricted minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday 26 October 2022 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record of proceedings.

The Mayor highlighted the 16 days of activism campaign, including White Ribbon Day, on eliminating violence against women and girls. He highlighted how important it was that women and girl’s felt safe at all times and that it was unacceptable that 1 in 3 women would suffer serious harassment in her lifetime.

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

A Pre-Decision Scrutiny Question and officer response were tabled in respect of Agenda Item 6.4 (Housing Revenue Account (HRA) 2022-25 – Capital Programme: Latest position. These were considered in relation to the relevant Agenda Item.

In addition, Councillor Musthak Ahmed, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, provided an update on the recent activity of his Committee. In particular he highlighted the update the Committee had received on the Customer Services team and work on its upcoming transformation project. The Committee asked about a number of issues including challenging the volume of unanswered calls from residents.

He also provided brief updates from the Scrutiny Lead Members.

The Mayor thanked Councillor Musthak Ahmed for the update and the work of his Committee.

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

Nil items.

DECISION

1.    To amend the Terms and Conditions for Resident Permits so as to reintroduce the four Parent Zones (A,B,C,D) and allow permit holders to be able to park all day within their respective Parent Zone.

2.    To note the Equalities Impact Assessment / specific equalities considerations as set out in Paragraph 5 of the report.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)

(Head of Parking, Mobility and Market Services (M. Darby)

Councillor Saied Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Resources and the Cost of Living, introduced the report on reintroducing four Parent Parking Zones. He noted the equalities analysis set out in the report.

He also highlighted that this was an important Mayoral Manifesto Pledge.

The Mayor welcomed the report. He noted concerns expressed by Councillor Peter Golds on the potential impact on air quality and climate change but considered this was an important decision to help support local residents. There were other projects involved in looking at climate issues. Following discussion he agreed the recommendations as set out in the report.

RESOLVED

1.    To amend the Terms and Conditions for Resident Permits so as to reintroduce the four Parent Zones (A,B,C,D) and allow permit holders to be able to park all day within their respective Parent Zone.

2.    To note the Equalities Impact Assessment / specific equalities considerations as set out in Paragraph 5 of the report.

DECISION

1.    To introduce a one-hour free parking facility close to markets on market days in the 248 parking bays identified.

2.    To approve the amendments and introduction of parking bays for the Whitechapel Road Market, as detailed in Paragraph 3.3 of the report, and for the necessary Traffic Management Order making process to be carried out, if the decision is to proceed with the introduction of one-hour free parking.

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

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)

(Head of Parking, Mobility and Market Services (M. Darby)

Councillor Abu Chowdhury, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Skills and Growth, introduced the report on introducing one-hour free parking facilities close to markets within the borough. He highlighted the equalities analysis in the report.

Like the last report, this was also a manifesto commitment and it was intended to help support the borough’s markets and market traders by encouraging increased accessibility to their businesses.

During discussion concerns raised by Councillor Sirajul Islam, Leader of the Opposition Labour Group, around use of the parking spaces by commuters were noted. However, significant support was heard from Members at the meeting and it was considered that an impact on residents was unlikely and that this would encourage the use of the borough’s markets.

The Mayor, welcomed the report and agreed the recommendations as set out in the report.

RESOLVED

1.    To introduce a one-hour free parking facility close to markets on market days in the 248 parking bays identified.

2.    To approve the amendments and introduction of parking bays for the Whitechapel Road Market, as detailed in Paragraph 3.3 of the report, and for the necessary Traffic Management Order making process to be carried out, if the decision is to proceed with the introduction of one-hour free parking.

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

DECISION

1)    To authorise the Corporate Director, Health, Adults and Community to award a contract without competition to Outward Housing for the provision of a supported accommodation building and support service.  The service will be delivered from 3 schemes Albert Cottages, Fenton Street and Buxton Street in which adults with Learning Disability will live as well as receive support. 

The contract will run for a period of 3 years plus 2 years extension with a maximum annual value of £441,941 for year 1 of the contract.  For 3 years the contract value is in the region of £1,402,227 plus any London Living Wage and inflationary increases that are yet to be agreed. 

These values may be amended in future years of the contract period to incorporate further inflationary changes. Any changes will be made in line with Corporate agreements and budget availability.  The Mayor will be consulted on any changes.

2)    To authorise the Corporate Director, Health, Adults and Community to award a contract without competition to Look Ahead Care and Support (LACS), for provision of a supported accommodation building and support service.  The service will be delivered from Mary Jones Court from where adults with Learning Disability will live as well as receive support.

The contract will run for a period of 3 years plus 2 years extension with an annual value of £336,987 for year 1 of the contract. For 3 years the contract value is in the region of £1,069,258 plus any London Living Wage and inflationary increases yet to be agreed.

These values may be amended in future years of the contract period to incorporate further inflationary changes. Any changes will be made in line with Corporate agreements and budget availability.  The Mayor will be consulted on any changes.

Action by:

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

(Learning Disability Commissioning Manager (A. Gosling)

Councillor Gulam Kibria Choudhury, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Social Care, introduced the report requesting the direct award of Learning Disability Supported Accommodation Contracts. He highlighted the reasons for the direct awards were set up in the report but were linked to the fact that the organisations owned the buildings in which the services were provided.

During discussion it was confirmed that relevant inspection and quality assurance regimes were in place.

The Mayor welcomed the report and agreed the recommendations as set out in the report.

RESOLVED

1)    To authorise the Corporate Director, Health, Adults and Community to award a contract without competition to Outward Housing for the provision of a supported accommodation building and support service.  The service will be delivered from 3 schemes Albert Cottages, Fenton Street and Buxton Street in which adults with Learning Disability will live as well as receive support. 

The contract will run for a period of 3 years plus 2 years extension with a maximum annual value of £441,941 for year 1 of the contract.  For 3 years the contract value is in the region of £1,402,227 plus any London Living Wage and inflationary increases that are yet to be agreed. 

These values may be amended in future years of the contract period to incorporate further inflationary changes. Any changes will be made in line with Corporate agreements and budget availability.  The Mayor will be consulted on any changes.

2)    To authorise the Corporate Director, Health, Adults and Community to award a contract without competition to Look Ahead Care and Support (LACS), for provision of a supported accommodation building and support service.  The service will be delivered from Mary Jones Court from where adults with Learning Disability will live as well as receive support.

The contract will run for a period of 3 years plus 2 years extension with an annual value of £336,987 for year 1 of the contract. For 3 years the contract value is in the region of £1,069,258 plus any London Living Wage and inflationary increases yet to be agreed.

These values may be amended in future years of the contract period to incorporate further inflationary changes. Any changes will be made in line with Corporate agreements and budget availability.  The Mayor will be consulted on any changes.

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

DECISION

1.    To approve the budget allocations for new schemes being added to the programme as substitutes for previously approved schemes which are being removed, subject to sign off through the capital governance process and agreement to proceed given by the Corporate Director, Place in consultation with the Mayor and the Corporate Director, Resources.

2.    To approve the addition of Buckhurst Street, Smithy Street, Candy Street, housing on the St Georges Leisure Centre site, the purchase of 9 completed homes at Royal Mint Street, the conversion of Albert Jacob House to be funded by the removal of the Ashington House scheme and unallocated grant and s106, subject to sign off through the capital governance process and agreement to proceed given by the Corporate Director of Place in consultation with the Mayor and Corporate Director, Resources.

3.    To approve the removal of the housing companies from the capital programme.

4.    To approve the virement of £2.098m from the THH capital works budget of £90.200m for essential works at Watney Market car park

5.    To approve delegated authority to the Corporate Director, Place, in consultation with the Mayor and the Corporate Director, Resources, to substitute schemes within the Approved HRA Capital Programme.

6.    To note that schemes funded by future capital receipts (RTB receipts) and/or s106 contributions will not go ahead until such funds have been received by the Council.

7.    To approve delegated authority to the Corporate Director of Place in consultation with the Mayor and the Corporate Director of Resources for all activities required to deliver the approved capital programme, for example but not exclusively, go out to tender, appoint consultants and contractors in accordance with the Procurement Procedures, acquire land interests, appropriate land from the General Fund to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for the delivery of new council homes and other rights of appropriation, subject to approved budget.

8.    To note the Equalities Impact Assessment and specific equalities considerations as set out in Section 4 of the report.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)

INTERIM CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (K. BARTLE)

(Interim Capital Programme Manager (Housing) (J. Abraham)

Councillor Kabir Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Inclusive Development and Housebuilding, introduced the report on the Housing Revenue Account  Capital Programme. It set out the latest position including a number of proposed amendments and updates. An increase in the number of good-sized family homes was a key priority for the programme in future.

The Mayor welcomed the report and highlighted that tackling the severe overcrowding in the borough was a key priority for his administration. He thanked officers and the Lead Member for their work in updating the programme to reflect his priorities. He noted the Pre-Decision Scrutiny Question and officer response and agreed the recommendations as set out in the report.

RESOLVED

1.    To approve the budget allocations for new schemes being added to the programme as substitutes for previously approved schemes which are being removed, subject to sign off through the capital governance process and agreement to proceed given by the Corporate Director, Place in consultation with the Mayor and the Corporate Director, Resources.

2.    To approve the addition of Buckhurst Street, Smithy Street, Candy Street, housing on the St Georges Leisure Centre site, the purchase of 9 completed homes at Royal Mint Street, the conversion of Albert Jacob House to be funded by the removal of the Ashington House scheme and unallocated grant and s106, subject to sign off through the capital governance process and agreement to proceed given by the Corporate Director of Place in consultation with the Mayor and Corporate Director, Resources.

3.    To approve the removal of the housing companies from the capital programme.

4.    To approve the virement of £2.098m from the THH capital works budget of £90.200m for essential works at Watney Market car park

5.    To approve delegated authority to the Corporate Director, Place, in consultation with the Mayor and the Corporate Director, Resources, to substitute schemes within the Approved HRA Capital Programme.

6.    To note that schemes funded by future capital receipts (RTB receipts) and/or s106 contributions will not go ahead until such funds have been received by the Council.

7.    To approve delegated authority to the Corporate Director of Place in consultation with the Mayor and the Corporate Director of Resources for all activities required to deliver the approved capital programme, for example but not exclusively, go out to tender, appoint consultants and contractors in accordance with the Procurement Procedures, acquire land interests, appropriate land from the General Fund to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for the delivery of new council homes and other rights of appropriation, subject to approved budget.

8.    To note the Equalities Impact Assessment and specific equalities considerations as set out in Section 4 of the report.

DECISION

1.    To note the report arising from the H&RSSC’s review of fire safety in the borough; and

2.    To approve the actions arising from the recommendations made in the HRSSC’s review of fire safety in the borough. 

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)

(Director of Housing (K. Swift)

(Fire Safety Team Leader (G. Ganadin)

Councillor Kabir Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Inclusive Development and Housebuilding, introduced the report on the action plan following the Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny Sub-Committee’s review of fire safety. He noted the improved funding recently released by government to help support this issue and the plans to help ensure problems were fixed. As well as supporting tenants and leaseholders of Council property, the Council was also providing useful information for private tenants as well.

During discussion it was noted that the Council was already undertaking a lot of the work set out, and with increased government support as well, the future looked positive in tackling this issue.

The Mayor welcomed the report, he thanked the Scrutiny Sub-Committee for their work and then agreed the recommendations as set out in the report.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the report arising from the H&RSSC’s review of fire safety in the borough; and

2.    To approve the actions arising from the recommendations made in the HRSSC’s review of fire safety in the borough. 

DECISION

1.    To approve the dissolution of Seahorse Homes Limited.

2.    To note the dissolution of Mulberry Housing Society Limited.

3.    To approve the write off of the unrecovered sum of £26.4K for Seahorse Homes Limited.

4.    To approve the write off of the unrecovered sum of £7.4K for Mulberry Housing Society Limited.

Action by:

CHIEF EXECUTIVE (W. TUCKLEY)

(Housing Companies and Shared Services Manager (N. Klinger)

Will Tuckley, Chief Executive, introduced the report. He highlighted that these bodies had been established when there was a government imposed cap on Housing Revenue Account borrowing. That cap had now been lifted and so these were no longer the most appropriate methods for delivering housing and so it was appropriate to dissolve them at this point.

The Mayor noted the contents of the report and agreed the recommendations as set out in the report.

RESOLVED

1.    To approve the dissolution of Seahorse Homes Limited.

2.    To note the dissolution of Mulberry Housing Society Limited.

3.    To approve the write off of the unrecovered sum of £26.4K for Seahorse Homes Limited.

4.    To approve the write off of the unrecovered sum of £7.4K for Mulberry Housing Society Limited.

DECISION

1.    To note the Youth Justice Annual Plan.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, CHILDREN AND CULTURE (J. THOMAS)

(Director of Supporting Families (S. Beasley-Murray)

(Head of Service of Youth Justice and Young People’s Services (K. Duggan)

Councillor Maium Talukdar, Statutory Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Education, Youth and Lifelong Learning, introduced the report setting out the Youth Justice Annual Plan.

He noted that the Plan set out the priorities for the Council and its partners and includes action on seven recommendations for improvement.

The Mayor welcomed the clear pathway to improvement following the recent inspection as supporting these young people was extremely important. He agreed the recommendation as set out in the report.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the Youth Justice Annual Plan.

DECISION

1.    To approve the proposal to agree the prescribed alterations to George Green’s School, namely the redesignation of the Resource Base Provision from complex needs/physical disabilities to Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC). as set out in the Statutory Notice at Appendix 2 to the report.

2.    To note the Equalities Impact Assessment set out in Section 4 of the report and attached as Appendix 3 to the report.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, CHILDREN AND CULTURE (J. THOMAS)

(Head of Special Educational Needs (J. O’Shea)

Councillor Maium Talukdar, Statutory Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Education, Youth and Lifelong Learning, introduced the report proposing the approval of redesignating the Resource Base Provision at George Green’s School from complex needs/physical disabilities to Autistic Spectrum Condition.

He highlighted the report included details on the consultation and noted that this was a positive development to support a growing need in the borough.

The Mayor welcomed the report as very good news and agreed the recommendations as set out in the report.

RESOLVED

1.    To approve the proposal to agree the prescribed alterations to George Green’s School, namely the redesignation of the Resource Base Provision from complex needs/physical disabilities to Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC). as set out in the Statutory Notice at Appendix 2 to the report.

2.    To note the Equalities Impact Assessment set out in Section 4 of the report and attached as Appendix 3 to the report.

DECISION

1.    To agree for the publication of a statutory notice for 28 days, in respect of the proposal to amalgamate Bishop Challoner Catholic Girls’ and Boys’ Schools to form a Co-educational Catholic School for 11-18 year olds. This would take effect from 1^st September 2023.

2.    To note the findings from the Equalities Assessment.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, CHILDREN AND CULTURE (J. THOMAS)

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

Councillor Maium Talukdar, Statutory Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Education, Youth and Lifelong Learning, introduced the report requesting agreement to publish a statutory notice proposing the amalgamation of Bishop Challoner Catholic Girls’ and Boy’s Schools. The details of the first stage consultation were set out in the report and positive feedback had been received. The proposed change would make the school more sustainable for the future.

During discussion officers were asked to ensure that the consultation effectively reached all parts of the community.

The Mayor welcomed the report and agreed the recommendations as set out in the report.

RESOLVED

1.    To agree for the publication of a statutory notice for 28 days, in respect of the proposal to amalgamate Bishop Challoner Catholic Girls’ and Boys’ Schools to form a Co-educational Catholic School for 11-18 year olds. This would take effect from 1^st September 2023.

2.    To note the findings from the Equalities Assessment.

DECISION

1.    To note the Record of Corporate Directors’ Actions set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

Action by:

INTERIM CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (K. BARTLE)

(Interim Head of Procurement (P. Maskell)

The Mayor noted the records of Corporate Director Actions set out in the report and agreed the recommendation as set out in the report.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the Record of Corporate Directors’ Actions set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

Nil items.

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)

The Exempt/Confidential Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed during the unrestricted part of the meeting. There was therefore no need to pass a resolution to exclude the press and public.

The exempt / confidential minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday 26 October 2022 are presented for approval.

DECISION

1.    That the exempt/confidential minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday 26^th October 2022 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record of proceedings.

RESOLVED

1.    That the exempt/confidential minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday 26^th October 2022 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record of proceedings.

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.