Note that during the meeting the Mayor agreed to vary the order of business such that the item of ‘Any Other Urgent Business’ (Submission from TUSH petitioners) was taken at the start of the meeting. The minutes present the items in the order they appeared on the agenda.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of:

·         Zena Cooke (Corporate Director, Resources) for whom Barry Scarr (Interim Service Head, Finance and Procurement) was deputising.

·         Robin Beattie (Service Head, Resources, CLC) for whom Andy Bamber (Service Head, Community Service) was deputising.

There were no Declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interest.

To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the meeting of Cabinet held on 28 July, 2015.

RESOLVED

1.    That the Unrestricted Minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday 28 July 2015 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record of proceedings subject to the inclusion of Councillor Danny Hassell in the list of attendees.

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 John Pierce, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) provided the Cabinet with an update on their meeting held the previous evening.

He reported that the main item of business had been to hear a number of submissions of evidence in relation to the OSC Transparency Commission. The Committee had heard from a local journalist about his experience of transparency at the Council, the Mayor on his thoughts and then heard from officers on topics such as use of S106 funds, Community engagement, democratic engagement and whistleblowing. Finally Ed Hammond from the Centre for Public Scrutiny had provided his view. The OSC Members were collating the information they were receiving and looking to present a report for agreement later in the year with the aim of improving the scrutiny and transparency of the Council and its decision making.

The Chair also reported that the Committee had heard from TUSH Housing petitioners in relation to the petition they had presented to Council on 22 July 2015. Finally, in reference to the report listed on the Cabinet agenda, it was noted that the OSC were looking to hold a mini scrutiny spotlight session on planning for school places at its next meeting.

The Mayor thanked Councillor John Pierce for his update. In particular he highlighted his own interest in improving transparency and reported he was looking to bring forward a new protocol for consideration at Cabinet.

Nil items.

DECISION

1. To note the process followed for refreshing the Community Plan;

2. To approve the Community Plan; and

3. To authorise the Service Head for Corporate Strategy and Equality to make any minor amendments to the Community Plan prior to publication following consultation with the Mayor.

Action by:

SERVICE HEAD, CORPORATE STRATEGY AND EQUALITY (L. RUSSELL)

(Corporate Strategy and Equality Officers (M. Cairns)

The Mayor introduced the report. He highlighted that the Community Plan had been adjusted from the version agreed by the previous administration but that it was likely to require more work. Although it was not compulsory to have a Community Plan he explained that he thought it was a useful document for setting out the Council’s aims and priorities.

Louise Russell, Service Head, Corporate Strategy and Equality, reported to Cabinet on the consultations that had taken place and especially how it was important to agree priorities with partner organisations to ensure the greatest impact.

During discussion of the report, Councillor Peter Golds, Leader of the Conservative Group, highlighted the work he would be undertaking on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in relation to examining Localism Options and in particular localised decision making in communities and with ward councillors. The Mayor stated he would be interested in developing proposals along those lines.

Cabinet Members also discussed the report in particular Councillor Amy Whitelock-Gibbs, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Services, welcomed the proactive approach to healthier lives and Councillor David Edgar, Cabinet Member for Resources, welcomed the work on affordable housing and landlord licensing.

The Mayor agreed the recommendations as set out.

RESOLVED

1. To note the process followed for refreshing the Community Plan;

2. To approve the Community Plan; and

3. To authorise the Service Head for Corporate Strategy and Equality to make any minor amendments to the Community Plan prior to publication following consultation with the Mayor.

DECISION

1.    To approve the adoption of a revised capital estimate of £470,000 for the extension of the Whitehorse One O’clock Club.

2.    To approve the adoption of a capital estimate of £285,000 for the conversion of the Bethnal Green Rangers’ office to provide a new nursery facility.

3.    To agree that Council-approved Frameworks be used, where appropriate, to deliver the projects;

4.    To authorise the Corporate Director of Children’s Services, in respect of all proposed tenders referred to in this report, to agree tenders for projects within the approved programmes and capital estimate;

5.    To authorise the Corporate Director of Children’s Services to prepare and carry out a Bill of Reductions if a scheme exceeds the approved budget, where relevant to ensure expenditure is contained within the agreed costs

Action by:

INTERIM CORPORATE DIRECTOR, CHILDREN’S SERVICES (D. JONES)

(Head of Building Development (P. Watson)

Councillor Rachael Saunders, Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services, introduced the report. She highlighted that this was only one part of the Council’s work to respond to the challenges posted by the increasing numbers of children in the Borough but that Early Years provision was a vital part of this.

During discussion, officers reported that provision of 30 hours of free childcare for 2 to 5 year olds was going to be a challenge but that they were working to deal with that.

After seeking assurance that the places would be taken up, the Mayor agreed the recommendations as set out in the report.

RESOLVED

1.    To approve the adoption of a revised capital estimate of £470,000 for the extension of the Whitehorse One O’clock Club.

2.    To approve the adoption of a capital estimate of £285,000 for the conversion of the Bethnal Green Rangers’ office to provide a new nursery facility.

3.    To agree that Council-approved Frameworks be used, where appropriate, to deliver the projects;

4.    To authorise the Corporate Director of Children’s Services, in respect of all proposed tenders referred to in this report, to agree tenders for projects within the approved programmes and capital estimate;

5.    To authorise the Corporate Director of Children’s Services to prepare and carry out a Bill of Reductions if a scheme exceeds the approved budget, where relevant to ensure expenditure is contained within the agreed costs

DECISION

1.    To note the contents of this report and the progress made in meeting the need for additional places

2.    To note that proposals for specific schemes will be subject to separate consultation procedures and Cabinet decisions.

Action by:

INTERIM CORPORATE DIRECTOR, CHILDREN’S SERVICES (D. JONES)

(Head of Building Development (P. Watson)

Councillor Rachael Saunders, Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services, introduced the report. She highlighted the enormous future demand for school places that was expected and explained that the report set out the actions the Council was taking to meet that demand.

Further reports would be presented in relation to commissioning specific school sites and there would be a focus on the need in areas with significant property development.

Councillor Peter Golds, Leader of the Conservative Group, highlighted the needs of the Isle of Dogs and called for the Council to encourage all necessary schools and not to restrict themselves to particular types of schools.

Councillor Joshua Peck, Cabinet Member for Work and Economic Growth, highlighted the need to expand provision for those on the Autistic spectrum.

The Mayor welcomed the report and noted that a number of schemes were in the pipeline to help meet the shortfall in school places. He also highlighted the need for schools to work together and with the local authority to ensure the best outcome for the Borough’s children. He agreed the recommendations as set out in the report.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the contents of this report and the progress made in meeting the need for additional places

2.    To note that proposals for specific schemes will be subject to separate consultation procedures and Cabinet decisions.

DECISION

1.    To note the exercise of Corporate Directors’ discretions as set out in Appendix 1.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (Z. COOKE)

(Accountant, Financial Planning (A. Kadir)

Councillor David Edgar, Cabinet Member for Resources, introduced the report.

The Mayor agreed the recommendation as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the exercise of Corporate Directors’ discretions as set out in Appendix 1.

The Cabinet heard a brief presentation from the petitioners who had presented a petition on the TUSH Housing Co-operative at Council on 22 July 2015 asking the Mayor to consider their request for support.

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.