During the meeting the Mayor agreed to change the order of business. To aid clarity the minutes are presented in the order in which the items appear on the agenda.

At the meeting Agenda Item 5.1 (Our Borough, Our Plan) was followed by Agenda Item 5.3 (Neighbourhood Planning) and then Agenda Item 5.7 (Scrutiny Review – Town Centres Policy). The rest of the agenda items were taken in order starting at Agenda Item 5.2 (Community Buildings: Allocation and Charging Policy).

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no Declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests.

The unrestricted minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday 3 November 2015 are presented for information.

RESOLVED

1.    That the unrestricted minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday 3 November 2015 be approved and signed by the Mayor 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 unrestricted business to be considered.

A number of Pre-Scrutiny Questions were submitted in respect of agenda items 5.1 (Our Borough, Our Plan) and 5.6 (Scrutiny Review – Literacy across Early Years, Primary, Secondary and Adult Learning). The questions were responded to during the discussion of those items.

In addition Councillor John Pierce, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC), gave an update on the Committee’s meeting the previous evening. In particular he reported on the Crime and Disorder Spotlight Session with the Borough Commander looking at the Police’s Performance and Benchmarking statistics. Violent crime and looking at issues in relation to the recent Paris terrorist attack had been specific areas of focus.

The Committee had also had the opportunity to review their draft Transparency Commission report through which they hoped to encourage the Council to look to become a beacon Council in terms of transparency. This included areas such as open data and the role of Scrutiny in helping support the Council’s decision making.

The Mayor thanked Councillor John Pierce for his update.

Nil items.

DECISION

1.    To approve the draft “Our Borough, Our Plan: A New Local Plan First Steps” (contained in appendix 1) and the supporting documents (contained in appendix 2 – 3) for public consultation.

2.    To authorise the Corporate Director for Development and Renewal, on behalf of the Mayor, to make any necessary and appropriate minor amendments to the draft of “Our Borough, Our Plan: A New Local Plan First Steps” (appendix 1) prior to public consultation (anticipated to commence on 14^th December 2015).

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT AND RENEWAL (A. DALVI)

(Strategic Planning Manager (A. Maher)

Councillor Rachel Blake, Cabinet Member for Strategic Development, introduced the report. She guided Members through the different areas of the report highlighting the reasons for having a local plan, the process involved and consultation elements and finally the status of the document once agreed.

Particular issues that it was hoped could be targeted by the plan included:

·         Sustainability and Waste

·         Air pollution – particularly near schools

·         Design and the quality of places/areas

Looking at the Pre-Scrutiny Questions she reported that the effective consultation period was 11 weeks and that plans to promote the consultation were set out. She agreed that planning standards for play areas were important and she would work with the Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services on that issue. This needed to look at all play spaces and not just in schools.

Councillor Andrew Wood spoke on behalf of the Conservative Group and noted concerns about ensuring the publicity around the consultation process was sufficient.

The Mayor thanked all Members for their contributions and agreed the recommendations as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To approve the draft “Our Borough, Our Plan: A New Local Plan First Steps” (contained in appendix 1) and the supporting documents (contained in appendix 2 – 3) for public consultation.

2.    To authorise the Corporate Director for Development and Renewal, on behalf of the Mayor, to make any necessary and appropriate minor amendments to the draft of “Our Borough, Our Plan: A New Local Plan First Steps” (appendix 1) prior to public consultation (anticipated to commence on 14^th December 2015).

DECISION

1.     To agree the principles to be applied to leases to be issued to tenants in council-owned community buildings, set out in section 9 of the report;

2.     To agree that the basis for charging for these premises should be the open market rental value, for D1 use, subject to any recognition of community benefit;

3.     To note that a proposed methodology for assessing and quantifying said community benefit will be presented to the Mayor in Cabinet, in a further report, to be considered no later than May 2016; and

4.     To note that a property-by-property review of council-owned community buildings, as described in section 12.1, is taking place and the outcome of the review will also be presented to the Mayor in Cabinet.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT AND RENEWAL (A. DALVI)

(Service Head, Corporate Property and Capital Delivery (A. Sutcliffe)

Councillor David Edgar, Cabinet Member for Resources, introduced the report. He highlighted the wide variety and condition of community buildings and the need to develop a fair and consistent charging policy that took account of the community benefits provided by many organisations using the buildings.

During discussion Cabinet Members noted a number of issues including that:

·         Many small groups may need support when applying through a more formal process.

·         It was important to distinguish between businesses and community groups operating in the same field.

Councillor David Edgar also noted that the areas of responsibility of many Cabinet Members (for example, children’s and adults’ services, faith groups and more) would be impacted and that he would look to work with all relevant Members to address issues of concern.

The Mayor welcomed the report as a way of providing clarity and certainty to organisations. He also noted that decisions should reference any grant giving to the same organisations.  He agreed the recommendations as set out in the report.

RESOLVED

1.     To agree the principles to be applied to leases to be issued to tenants in council-owned community buildings, set out in section 9 of the report;

2.     To agree that the basis for charging for these premises should be the open market rental value, for D1 use, subject to any recognition of community benefit;

3.     To note that a proposed methodology for assessing and quantifying said community benefit will be presented to the Mayor in Cabinet, in a further report, to be considered no later than May 2016; and

4.     To note that a property-by-property review of council-owned community buildings, as described in section 12.1, is taking place and the outcome of the review will also be presented to the Mayor in Cabinet.

The recommendations were amended and then agreed.

DECISION

To approve the application for the designation of the Limehouse Neighbourhood Planning Forum and Neighbourhood Planning Area (as amended and as set out in Appendix 2).

To approve in principle the designation of Neighbourhood Planning Forum and Area for the Isle of Dogs application subject to clarification of the boundaries of the Neighbourhood Planning Area. Decisions will be taken at the earliest opportunity.

To defer the designation of the Spitalfields Neighbourhood Planning Forum and Area subject to further consideration of the consultation submissions received and clarification on the need for further consultation. Decisions will be taken at the earliest opportunity.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT AND RENEWAL (A. DALVI)

(Strategic Planning Manager (A. Maher)

Councillor Rachel Blake, Cabinet Member for Strategic Development, introduced the report. She explained the role of Neighbourhood Plans and Neighbourhood Forums and the particular benefit of being able to draw local people into discussions about their area.

In particular she highlighted the maps and appraisals presented in the report for the three specific Neighbourhood Forum applications.

The first application examined was that for the Isle of Dogs.

Councillor Andrew Wood spoke on behalf of the Conservative Group and as the Secretary of the Isle of Dogs Planning Forum. He highlighted that the application process had taken much longer than promised and that it was important the application was agreed. The Forum were happy to work to fine tune the boundaries later.

Public submissions were also noted on this item. These raised concerns about the exact area proposed for the Forum.

The Mayor welcomed the proposals and stated that he was keen to move quickly but noted that there were a number of concerns that had been raised about the exact boundaries. He therefore felt unable to agree the boundaries at this stage but he agreed to recognise the application in principle.

The second application examined was for the Limehouse area.

No submissions had been received on this application. The Mayor therefore agreed the recommendation to recognise the Planning Forum and Planning Area as set out in the report.

The third application was for the Spitalfields area.

Public submissions were received on this application that questioned the effectiveness of the consultation exercise that had taken place and whether the objections received had been sufficiently considered. It was also suggested that the current boundary proposals were not coherent to either the residential or business areas of Spitalfields. The Mayor stated that although he would in principle like to accept an application he deferred consideration of this application until the concerns raised could be considered.

RESOLVED

1.    To approve the application for the designation of the Limehouse Neighbourhood Planning Forum and Neighbourhood Planning Area (as amended and as set out in Appendix 2).

2.    To approve in principle the designation of a Neighbourhood Planning Forum for the Isle of Dogs application subject to clarification of the boundaries of the Neighbourhood Planning Area. Decisions to be taken on the Forum and Area Boundary at the earliest opportunity.

3.    To defer the designation of the Spitalfields Neighbourhood Planning Forum and Area subject to further consideration of the consultation submissions received and clarification on the need for further consultation. Decisions will be taken at the earliest opportunity.

DECISION

1.    To agree the award of Public Health Services (0-5 years) contracts as follows:-

·         Lot 1 Health Visiting to be awarded to Tower Hamlets GP Care Group CIC as the prime contractor, with Compass Wellbeing CIC as a subcontractor.

·         Lot 2 Family Nurse Partnership to be awarded to Compass Wellbeing CIC as the prime contract, with Tower Hamlets GP Care Group CIC as the subcontractor.

2.    To agree that the Director of Public Health be delegated to make the contract awards as at recommendation 1 above.

3.    To authorise the Service Head, Legal Services, following consultation with the Director of Public Health to execute all necessary contract documents in respect of the awards of contracts referred to at recommendation 1 above.

Action by:

DIRECTOR, ADULT SERVICES (L. ADDAMS)

(Associate Director of Public Health (E Trenchard-Mabere)

(Senior Speciality Registrar in Public Health (K Cole)

Councillor Amy Whitelock Gibbs, Cabinet Member for Health and Adults Services, introduced the report. She highlighted the wider government reform of public health responsibilities and set out the bidders listed in the report. She recommended the approval of the proposed bids.

The Mayor agreed the recommendations as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To agree the award of Public Health Services (0-5 years) contracts as follows:-

·         Lot 1 Health Visiting to be awarded to Tower Hamlets GP Care Group CIC as the prime contractor, with Compass Wellbeing CIC as a subcontractor.

·         Lot 2 Family Nurse Partnership to be awarded to Compass Wellbeing CIC as the prime contract, with Tower Hamlets GP Care Group CIC as the subcontractor.

2.    To agree that the Director of Public Health be delegated to make the contract awards as at recommendation 1 above.

3.    To authorise the Service Head, Legal Services, following consultation with the Director of Public Health to execute all necessary contract documents in respect of the awards of contracts referred to at recommendation 1 above.

The recommendations were amended and then agreed.

DECISION

1.    Following review of the options presented to confirm the rejection of options C to F as set out in Paragraph 4, Appendix 1 to the report.

2.    To defer a decision on whether to agree either Option A or Option B (as set out in Paragraph 4, Appendix 1 to the report) subject to further discussion with the intention of co-ordinating a final decision with the proposal to retender all commissioned domiciliary care activity to be presented at the next Cabinet meeting.

3.    To note the Exempt/Confidential Appendix to the report.

Action by:

DIRECTOR, ADULT SERVICES (L. ADDAMS)

(Interim Service Head, Commissioning and Health (K. Sugars)

Councillor Amy Whitelock Gibbs, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Services introduced the report. She provided a summary of the recent history of the service and the uncertainty being created for staff and service users by delays in progressing the decision over the previous year. Six options were presented in the report as were related legal and financial risks.

She recommended that options C to F be rejected as not being practical or feasible in the current circumstances as well as not providing best value. This would leave options A and B. She proposed that following the legal advice set out in the Exempt/Confidential Appendix that the decision on which of those two options to choose be deferred to the January Cabinet meeting to allow further consideration of the issues.

A public submission had been received which asked why service users were not able to choose to switch to other care agencies and whether the Council was preventing service users from choosing high quality alternatives.

In response it was explained that anyone with a personal budget should be able to choose a provider themselves. It was agreed that the delay in updating the commissioned supplier list was frustrating but that the Council was committed to retendering that list.

The Mayor thanked everyone for their contributions and highlighted that residents were welcome to alert him to specific issues. He agreed with Councillor Amy Whitelock Gibbs’ proposal to reject options C to F and to defer a decision on options A and B to the next meeting.

RESOLVED

1.    Following review of the options presented to confirm the rejection of options C to F as set out in Paragraph 4, Appendix 1 to the report.

2.    To defer a decision on whether to agree either Option A or Option B (as set out in Paragraph 4, Appendix 1 to the report) subject to further discussion with the intention of co-ordinating a final decision with the proposal to retender all commissioned domiciliary care activity to be presented at the next Cabinet meeting.

3.    To note the Exempt/Confidential Appendix to the report.

DECISION

1. To agree the action plan in response to the review recommendations.

Action by:

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

Councillor Rachael Saunders, Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services, introduced the report. She welcomed the review and the proposed action plan and highlighted the intention to strengthen both the services that the Council provided and those of partner organisations.

In response to the pre-scrutiny questions she reported that Skills Match had decided to stop using the Triage Tool which directed users to various support services. She would work with the Cabinet Member for Work and Economic Growth on the best way of providing that service. She also provided a summary of the Council’s plans for nursery provision including that the council was reviewing provision with the aim of improving the options available.

The Mayor welcomed the report and agreed recommendation as set out.

RESOLVED

1. To agree the action plan in response to the review recommendations.

DECISION

1. To agree the action plan in response to the review recommendations.

Action by:

DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT AND RENEWAL (A. DALVI)

Councillor Joshua Peck, Cabinet Member for Work and Economic Growth, introduced the report. He highlighted the important role that Town Centres play in being a place where communities could come together. He stated that he thought some of the timescales in the action plan could be more ambitious and he would continue to review them with officers.

The Mayor agreed the recommendation as set out in the report.

RESOLVED

1. To agree the action plan in response to the review recommendations.

DECISION

1.    To approve the proposed Asset Strategy Scoping and Priorities Paper and agree the workstreams identified.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT AND RENEWAL (A. DALVI)

(Service Head, Corporate Property and Capital Delivery (A. Sutcliffe)

Councillor David Edgar, Cabinet Member for Resources, introduced the report. He highlighted that it was important for the Council to ensure it had the appropriate buildings for the services it provided and to dispose of those that were not required.

The Mayor thanked Ann Sutcliffe, Service Head Corporate Property and Capital Delivery and her team for their work on this report. He agreed the recommendation as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To approve the proposed Asset Strategy Scoping and Priorities Paper and agree the workstreams identified.

DECISION

1.    To note the Corporate Directors’ decision set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (Z. COOKE)

The Mayor agreed the recommendation as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the Corporate Directors’ decision set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

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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.

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