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 26 July 2023 are presented for approval.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the unrestricted minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday 26 July 2023 be approved and signed by the Mayor as a correct record of proceedings.

The chief executive informed the Cabinet that the Council was currently in the middle of a strike by waste services operatives and provided assurance that the council was doing all it could to resolve the matter as soon as practicable. He advised that once the matter was resolved he would report back to the Cabinet.

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

Councillor Musthak Ahmed, Chair Overview and Scrutiny Committee addressed the meeting on behalf of the Committee. He provided the Mayor and Cabinet with an overview of the Committee’s recent meeting.

The Committee had considered the Liveable Streets Scheme reports and residents had attended the meeting to give their views. The Committee had discussed:

• The rationale for the consultation options and why residents were not consulted on option 3.
• Air quality data
• The extent of the consultation and inclusion of disabled and BAME residents; other stakeholders such as Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service.
• There is a need for compromise to ensure we do not further divide our community and bring about the improvements that we all seek.
• Financial implications for the council and if we are required to reimburse TfL.

The Committee had considered the Customer Experience Strategy including:

·         Learning from other areas such as Tower Hamlets Homes’ on-line customer portal.

·         How to support residents that are digitally excluded.

·         How to best measure performance of the service.

·         Investment in digital technology to meet future capacity.

·         Parking permits.

·         Wellbeing support to staff, burnout and mental health.

The Committee had also held in depth discussions on the licensing policy report and reviewed its work plan for 2023/24.

The Committee had submitted pre-decision scrutiny questions on two of the items on the Cabinet agenda:

·         6.1 Q1 Performance Report: Year 2 of the Annual Delivery Plan of the Strategy Plan 2022-24.

·         6.4/6.5 – Liveable Streets Bethnal Green and Brick Lane.

These were considered in relation to the relevant items.

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

Nil items.

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

DECISION

1.    To note the strategic delivery and performance report for Q1 covering the period of 1^st April 2023 to 30^th June 2023.

2.    To note the of 51 performance measures in Q1 tracking the delivery of Year 2 of the Strategic Plan 2022-2024 (See Appendix A to the report).

Action by:

INTERIM DIRECTOR OF STRATEGY, IMPROVEMENT AND TRANSFORMATION (R. BEATTIE)

(Corporate Head of Strategy and Improvement (S. Bramah)

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

Councillor Saied Ahmed (Cabinet Member for Resources and the Cost of Living) introduced the report which provided the Mayor in Cabinet with a Quarter 1 monitoring update of Year 2 Annual Delivery Plan 2023-24 performance measures.

John Ainsworth, Senior Performance Improvement Analyst, provided further detail on the performance measures and outcome of the quarter. The Chief Executive explained how the budget setting process would align resources to service improvement and a report on this would be received by Cabinet in due course.

Cabinet members welcomed the report and provided explanation for the causes of underperforming measures in their service areas and the efforts and planned measures, including proposed investment, to improve performance.

The Mayor welcomed the report which he felt provided a robust health check of the Council. He stressed expectation that all red rated measures would turn green before year-end.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the strategic delivery and performance report for Q1 covering the period of 1^st April 2023 to 30^th June 2023.

2.    To note the of 51 performance measures in Q1 tracking the delivery of Year 2 of the Strategic Plan 2022-2024 (Appendix A to the report).

The reasons for urgency were noted.

DECISION

1.    To note the council’s position and consequent forecast outturn as at 30^th June 2023, against General Fund Budget (based on the previous structures), Dedicated Schools Budget, Housing Revenue Account and earmarked reserves for 2023-24. 

2.    To note the actions taken to date to address the demand pressures as set out in Appendix A, Section 3.2 to the report.

3.    To note the progress made against the 2023-24 savings targets, based on forecasts as of 30^th June 2023.

4.    To note the council’s forecast outturn position against General Fund and Housing Revenue Account capital programme approved budgets for 2023-24, based on forecasts as of 30^th June 2023.

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

6.    To approve capital investment of £80k in the London Community Credit Union (LCCU) funded from the COVID reserve.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (JULIE LORRAINE)

(Interim Director of Finance, Procurement and Audit (John Harrison)

(Head of Strategic Finance (Chief Accountant) (Ahsan Khan)

The reasons for urgency were agreed.

Councillor Saied Ahmed (Cabinet Member for Resources and the Cost of Living) introduced the report which presented the current forecast year end outturn compared to the budget as at Quarter 1 for the General Fund, Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), Housing Revenue Account (HRA), progress against savings targets, the council’s capital programme and provided projections on General Fund earmarked reserves. Councillor Ahmed provided additional details on the causes of overspends and underspends as reflected in the report, for each of the budgets. He explained that unachievable savings would need to be addressed in future updates. Finally, he explained the causes for capital programme variance and how slippages would be carried forward into future years, both for the general fund, and HRA capital programmes

Julie Lorraine, Corporate Director Resources and John Harkin, Interim Director Finance Procurement and Audit, explained the current context of local authority financial challenges. Julie explained that the Council compared favourably to other local councils in respect of managing its budget saving slippages and was already taking measures to address them. Julie also warned that some of the drivers of overspend were likely to continue for the next few years. John explained that the Council would be thorough in ensuring its financial performance did not deteriorate in the way some authorities elsewhere in the country had recently experienced.

The Chief Executive echoed the comments of Julie and John. He stressed the council's financial position could not be compared to other local authorities that were in dire financial circumstances. He stressed that the council was resilient, had robust systems in place, had sufficient reserves and had a high-quality team to deliver balanced budget, savings and growth.

Julie also provided an update to the Mayor and Cabinet on the current position regarding the closure of outstanding accounts. Julie provided assurance that the closure outstanding accounts would be progressed, but asked members to note that there remained risks which would be closely monitored.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the council’s position and consequent forecast outturn as at 30^th June 2023, against General Fund Budget (based on the previous structures), Dedicated Schools Budget, Housing Revenue Account and earmarked reserves for 2023-24. 

2.    To note the actions taken to date to address the demand pressures as set out in Appendix A, Section 3.2 to the report.

3.    To note the progress made against the 2023-24 savings targets, based on forecasts as of 30^th June 2023.

4.    To note the council’s forecast outturn position against General Fund and Housing Revenue Account capital programme approved budgets for 2023-24, based on forecasts as of 30^th June 2023.

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

6.    To approve capital investment of £80k in the London Community Credit Union (LCCU) funded from the COVID reserve.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (JULIE LORRAINE)

(Interim Director of Finance, Procurement and Audit (John Harrison)

(Head of Strategic Finance  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.2

DECISION

1.    To approve the increased budget of £73.223m to the Housing Development Capital programme.

2.    To approve the schemes listed as additions to the programme as set out in paragraph 3 table 1 of the report.

3.    To approve the changes listed within the existing programme as set out in paragraph 3 table 3 of the report.

4.    To approve that subject to prior consultation with the Mayor by the    Corporate Director of Housing and Regeneration and the Corporate Director of Resources schemes can be amended and substituted and that additional schemes can be added provided that the capital sum set out in recommendation 1 above is not exceeded. 

5.    To approve that subject to prior consultation with the Mayor by the    Corporate Director of Housing and Regeneration and the Corporate Director of Resources that should additional funding be identified this can be added to the programme.

6.    To note potential additions to the programme in future at paragraph 3 table 2 of the report.

7.    To approve the increase in budget for additional staff resources as set out in paragraph 3.7 of the report.

8.    To note the existing programme as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

9.    To note the comparative performance of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets compared to neighbouring boroughs in the delivery of homes, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report.

10.To note the Equalities Impact Assessment / specific equalities considerations as set out in paragraph 4 of the report.

Action by:

DIRECTOR OF HOUSING (KAREN SWIFT)

(Head of Housing Supply (Rupert Brandon)

Councillor Kabir Ahmed (Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Inclusive Development and Housebuilding) introduced the report which set out proposals for additional funding for new schemes to the Council’s Housing Development Capital Programme, part of the wider HRA Capital Programme. Councillor Ahmed explained how the proposals would help to deliver good quality council-owned homes in the borough which would help to address the borough’s housing crisis.

Karen Swift, Director of Housing, provided further detail. Karen explained that, in addition to addition of schemes to the programme, the report explained how other sites were under consideration and asked for delegation for resources to move forward to those sites.

Cabinet members welcomed the report and thanked all officers and councillors involved in the delivery of the schemes.

The Chief Executive echoed the sentiments of the Cabinet. He noted the dedication shown by officers in delivering this key priority of the administration’s manifesto.

The Mayor welcomed the report and stressed how important his administration felt about overcrowding in the borough. He expressed hope the proposals in the report, particularly those to deliver more council-owned homes, would help address the problem.

RESOLVED

1.    To approve the increased budget of £73.223m to the Housing Development Capital programme.

2.    To approve the schemes listed as additions to the programme as set out in paragraph 3 table 1 of the report.

3.    To approve the changes listed within the existing programme as set out in paragraph 3 table 3 of the report.

4.    To approve that subject to prior consultation with the Mayor by the    Corporate Director of Housing and Regeneration and the Corporate Director of Resources schemes can be amended and substituted and that additional schemes can be added provided that the capital sum set out in recommendation 1 above is not exceeded. 

5.    To approve that subject to prior consultation with the Mayor by the    Corporate Director of Housing and Regeneration and the Corporate Director of Resources that should additional funding be identified this can be added to the programme.

6.    To note potential additions to the programme in future at paragraph 3 table 2 of the report.

7.    To approve the increase in budget for additional staff resources as set out in paragraph 3.7 of the report.

8.    To note the existing programme as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

9.    To note the comparative performance of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets compared to neighbouring boroughs in the delivery of homes, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report.

10.To note the Equalities Impact Assessment / specific equalities considerations as set out in paragraph 4 of the report.

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

The recommendations were amended and then agreed.

DECISION

1.    To note the results of the engagement to date and two public consultations held in Weavers and Old Bethnal Green Road.

2.    To approve Option One (of the three options summarised in section 2 of the report).

a.    Subject to the retention of the closure of Canrobert Street in Bethnal Green.

3.    To note that Apprendix F - EqIA to the report identifies a number of positive and negative impacts of the options upon individuals that share particular protected characteristics (summarised in paragraphs 4.1 – 4.5 of the report).

4.    To approve any changes to be implemented through experimental traffic orders so that amendments can be made to mitigate any adverse impacts that are identified through monitoring.

5.    To approve a 12-month review of traffic flows and air quality to assess the impact of the proposals for the purposes of identifying any negative impacts and developing mitigation measures.

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

Action by:

INTERIM CORPORATE DIRECTOR, COMMUNITIES (RAJ MISTRY)

(Interim Director, Public Realm (S. Baxter)

(Interim Service Head, Highways & Transportation (A. Ali)

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

The Mayor formally introduced items 6.4 and 6.5 which he indicated he would consider together. Councillor Kabir Hussain (Cabinet Member for Environment and the Climate Emergency) introduced the reports which sought approval for one of three main options for the retention or removal of a number of existing traffic schemes in the Old Bethnal Green, Columbia Road and Arnold Circus (Item 6.4) and Brick Lane (Item 6.5) areas. Raj Mistry, Corporate Director Communities, provided further detail.

At the invitation of the Mayor, the following persons addressed the meeting to ask questions regarding items 6.4 and 6.5.

·         Councillor Peter Golds expressed concern at the response to the consultation exercises on LTNs which he felt did not appear to represent the widest possible demography of the Borough.

·         Councillor Sirajul Islam asked if the Mayor was disappointed that there were instances throughout the reports where the effects of LTN schemes could not be accurately quantified and asked if it was right that without this information he and his cabinet could not make an informed choice.

·         Councillor Nathalie Bienfait asked whether, in view of the resident support for the schemes in and the evidence for the need to reduce the impact of cars on roads, what steps the Mayor would take to reduce the numbers and impact of cars on our roads. And, if he decided to choose Option 1 or Option 3 in the report, what steps he would take to mitigate the potential impact of removing the low traffic schemes on areas which had become used to a low traffic environment.

·         Sam Wood asked how the views of Bart's Health Trust or the Royal London Hospital and Mile End Hospital were being taken into consideration. The position of the Trust was documented in a letter to the Mayor in August 2022. Mr Wood advised the Trust had made no update or change to the response since then.

·         Elizabeth Perrett asked how the Mayor would ensure elderly, disabled and vulnerable residents would not continue to be adversely affected by ambulance delays as was her mother, who had lived on Old Bethnal Green Rd and was repeatedly subjected to major delays during many serious health issues.

·         Nikki Collins asked if there were any reasons why the Mayor would not now deliver on his number one promise.

In response to the public and Councillor contributions, the Mayor indicated that the comments and questions from residents clearly showed the passion regarding the LTN issue. He felt the contributions showed that some residents had been failed by the system and had suffered as a result of LTN measures and he was aware of many similar instances of residents being negatively affected. He welcomed the contributions which he felt would assist him in his determination on this issue.

Cabinet members welcomed the report and indicated support for removal of the traffic measures. They noted with dismay the adverse impacts the schemes had had on many residents and expressed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.4

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

DECISION

1.    To note the results of the public consultation and engagement with businesses in the Brick Lane area.

2.    To approve Option One (of the two options set out on the report).

3.    To note that the Apprendix C – Equalities Impact Assessment to the report identifies a number of positive and negative impacts of the options upon individuals that share particular protected characteristics (summarised in paragraphs 4.1 – 4.3 of the report).

Action by:

INTERIM CORPORATE DIRECTOR, COMMUNITIES (RAJ MISTRY)

(Interim Director, Public Realm (S. Baxter)

(Interim Head of Highways and Transportation (A. Ali)

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

For the record of discussion on this item, see minute for Item 6.4 Liveable Streets Bethnal Green consultation outcome and measures. The two items were considered together.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the results of the public consultation and engagement with businesses in the Brick Lane area.

2.    To approve Option One (of the two options set out on the report).

3.    To note that the Appendix C – Equalities Impact Assessment to the report identifies a number of positive and negative impacts of the options upon individuals that share particular protected characteristics (summarised in paragraphs 4.1 – 4.3 of the report).

DECISION

1.             To note and agree the Recycling and Reduction Plan 2023-2025 (RRP) set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

2.             To note the council has ambition to increase recycling performance further from 2025/26 onwards.

3.             To note the equalities considerations as set out in Paragraphs 4.1 to 4.3 of the report.

4.             To note that a report will be submitted to Cabinet on a quarterly basis detailing progress that has been made against the targets detailed in the plan.

Action by:

INTERIM CORPORATE DIRECTOR, COMMUNITIES (RAJ MISTRY)

(Interim Director, Public Realm (S. Baxter)

(Environmental Services Improvement Manager (F. Heyland)

(Environmental Services Improvement Team Leader (L. Houston)

Councillor Kabir Hussain (Cabinet Member for Environment and the Climate Emergency) introduced the report which proposed a Reduction and Recycling Plan for 2023 to 2025 as the first phase of plans to deliver a clean and green future for Tower Hamlets. The plan included proposals to optimise recycling collections, deliver over £2million in flats recycling improvements and develop improved communication and community engagement.

Raj Mistry, Corporate Director Communities and Fiona Heyland, Environmental Services Improvement Manager provided further detail.

The Chief Executive asked the Mayor to note that the officer recommendations, which had been omitted from the published report in error, had asked the Mayor to approve the Reduction and Recycling Plan for 2023 to 2025 and had asked the Mayor to request that officers would report back on progress against the plan on a quarterly basis, using the indicators in the plan as the basis for reporting.

Cabinet members welcomed the report.

The Mayor welcomed the report and thanked officers for their commitment to increasing recycling performance in the borough.

RESOLVED

1.            To note and agree the Recycling and Reduction Plan 2023-2025 (RRP) set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

2.            To note the council has ambition to increase recycling performance further from 2025/26 onwards.

3.            To note the equalities considerations as set out in Paragraphs 4.1 to 4.3 of the report.

4.            To note that a report will be submitted to Cabinet on a quarterly basis detailing progress that has been made against the targets detailed in the plan.

DECISION

1.    To note the outcome of the public and staff engagement that informs the Tower Hamlets Customer Experience Strategy 2023-26.

2.    To agree the Tower Hamlets Customer Experience Strategy 2023-26

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (JULIE LORRAINE)

(Director, Customer Services (R. Chand)

(Head of Customer Service (L. Sykes)

(Strategy and Policy Officer (K. Okawa)

(Strategy and Policy Officer (T. Alegbeleye)

Councillor Kabir Ahmed (Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Inclusive Development and Housebuilding) introduced the report which presented the final version of the Tower Hamlets Customer Experience Strategy 2023 -2026 for approval. Councillor Ahmed explained how the Strategy would address a range of infrastructure concerns first identified by the administration after the May 2022 election and for which investment had been agreed as part of the administration’s first budget.

Raj Chand, Director of Customer Services provided further detail.

The Mayor welcomed the report. He offered thanks to Raj Chand who would shortly be leaving the Council and wished her well in her new role.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the outcome of the public and staff engagement that informs the Tower Hamlets Customer Experience Strategy 2023-26.

2.    To agree the Tower Hamlets Customer Experience Strategy 2023-26.

DECISION

1.    To recommend to Full Council the adoption of the Statement of Licensing Policy at full Council which will take effect from 1^st November 2023.

Action by:

INTERIM CORPORATE DIRECTOR, COMMUNITIES (RAJ MISTRY)

(Head of Environmental Health and Trading Standards (D. Tolley)

The Mayor introduced the report which, further to the Council’s duty to prepare and publish a Statement of Licensing Policy at least every 5 years, proposed a new Statement of Licensing Policy.

David Tolley, Head of Licensing and Environmental Health provided further detail.

The Mayor welcomed the report.

RESOLVED

1.    To recommend to Full Council the adoption of the Statement of Licensing Policy at full Council which will take effect from 1^st November 2023.

The reasons for urgency were agreed.

DECISION

1.    To authorise the Corporate Director, Housing and Regeneration to waive the requirement to subject this purchase to competition as required by the Council’s Constitution

2.    To authorise the Corporate Director, Housing and Regeneration to enter into a contractual agreement with London MEP to complete the mechanical and engineering works and commissioning at Mellish Street for the sum of £300,810.95.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, HOUSING AND REGENERATION

(Director of Property and Major Programmes)

(Principal Project Manager (D. Richards)

The reasons for urgency were agreed.

Councillor Kabir Ahmed (Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Inclusive Development and Housebuilding) introduced the report which sought the formal approval for the Council to enter into a contractual agreement with London MEP to complete the mechanical and engineering works and commissioning at Mellish Street.

Yasmin Ali, Head of Capital Delivery and Property maintenance, explained the reason the Mayor was being asked to act on the matter now and the urgency for the report.

The Mayor welcomed the report.

RESOLVED

1.    To authorise the Corporate Director, Housing and Regeneration to waive the requirement to subject this purchase to competition as required by the Council’s Constitution

2.    To authorise the Corporate Director, Housing and Regeneration to enter into a contractual agreement with London MEP to complete the mechanical and engineering works and commissioning at Mellish Street for the sum of £300,810.95.

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.