During the meeting the Mayor agreed to alter the order of business. For clarity the minutes are set out in the order the items appear on the agenda.

The agenda was considered in the following order at the meeting:

·         Agenda items 1-4 in order

·         Item 5.8 (Revised Character Appraisals and Management Guidelines for Driffield Road and Medway Conservation Areas)

·         Item 5.4 (Implementation of Charging Policy for Community Services in Adult Social Care)

·         Item 5.9 (Area Profiles and Choice of Pilot Town Centre)

·         Item 5.10 (The Infrastructure Delivery Framework: Projects for Approval)

·         The remaining items in order starting with 5.1 (Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) Planning 2016-17 to 2019-20) onwards.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of:

·         Councillor Rachel Blake (Cabinet Member for Strategic Development)

·         Councillor Sirajul Islam (Statutory Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Housing Management and Performance)

·         Councillor Amy Whitelock Gibbs (Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Services)

·         Aman Dalvi (Corporate Director, Development and Renewal) – Ann Sutcliffe (Service Head, Corporate Property and Capital Delivery) was deputising.

Councillor Joshua Peck declared an interest in Agenda Item 5.8 (Revised Character Appraisals and Management Guidelines for Driffield Road and Medway Conservation Areas) due to owning a property in the area. Whilst, technically he did not consider it a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest he considered that for good governance he should withdraw from the meeting during consideration of the item in the same way as he had been doing in previous internal discussions on the issue.

The unrestricted minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 1^st November, 2016 are presented for approval.

RESOLVED

1.    That the unrestricted minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday 1 November 2016 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 unrestricted business to be considered.

Councillor John Pierce, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee explained that, as the Overview and Scrutiny Committee was not due to meet until this coming Thursday 8 December he was unable to provide his usual update on their meeting. However, he did remind Cabinet that two scrutiny review reports were on the Cabinet agenda. These were:

·         The Children & Young People’s Mental Health Services Scrutiny Challenge Session Report and Action Plan

·         Homelessness Scrutiny Challenge Session Action Plan

Nil items.

DECISION

1.    To note the confirmation that the Council is formally on the multi-year settlement and that therefore the level of Revenue Support Grant announced in the 2016 Final Local Government Settlement is ‘guaranteed’ for 2016 – 2020 (Section 3.3 of the report);

2.    To note the outcomes from the Autumn Statement and the implications on the Council’s MTFS planning assumptions (Section 3.4 of the report);

3.    To note the outcomes from the Business Rate revaluation exercise for 2017 and the implications for the Council’s MTFS planning assumptions (Section 3.5 of the report); and

4.    To note the analysis and outcomes from the Your Borough Your Future budget consultation and have due regard to the issues raised in developing its detailed budget proposals (Section 3.6).

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (Z. COOKE)

Service Head, Finance and Procurement (N. Murton)

Councillor David Edgar, Cabinet Member for Resources, introduced the report. He explained that the report included information on how the Government’s Autumn Statement had impacted on the Council.

This report was a lead in to the draft Council budget which would be presented to the January Cabinet meeting.

The Mayor in particular noted the consultation responses received and agreed the recommendations as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the confirmation that the Council is formally on the multi-year settlement and that therefore the level of Revenue Support Grant announced in the 2016 Final Local Government Settlement is ‘guaranteed’ for 2016 – 2020 (Section 3.3 of the report);

2.    To note the outcomes from the Autumn Statement and the implications on the Council’s MTFS planning assumptions (Section 3.4 of the report);

3.    To note the outcomes from the Business Rate revaluation exercise for 2017 and the implications for the Council’s MTFS planning assumptions (Section 3.5 of the report); and

4.    To note the analysis and outcomes from the Your Borough Your Future budget consultation and have due regard to the issues raised in developing its detailed budget proposals (Section 3.6).

DECISION

1.    To note the Council’s revenue and capital forecast outturn position as detailed in Sections 3 to 7 of the report.

2.    To note the balance sheet information in section 8 of the report.

3.    To approve the proposed approach (as set out in the report) to addressing the shortfall against savings previously approved in relation to children’s services totalling £966K which cannot now be achieved

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (Z. COOKE)

(Chief Accountant (K. Miles)

Councillor David Edgar, Cabinet Member for Resources, introduced the report. In particular he highlighted the information on budget pressures, particularly related to changing demographics and inflation. He also drew attention to the new section of the report that set out whether agreed savings had been achieved and what mitigation measures were in place where those were necessary.

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

RESOLVED

1.    To note the Council’s revenue and capital forecast outturn position as detailed in Sections 3 to 7 of the report.

2.    To note the balance sheet information in section 8 of the report.

3.    To approve the proposed approach (as set out in the report) to addressing the shortfall against savings previously approved in relation to children’s services totalling £966K which cannot now be achieved

DECISION

1.    To agree, in principle, to join a London Regional Adoption Agency, subject to detailed financial analysis and business case;

2.    To authorise the Director of Children’s Services (or equivalent), after consultation with the lead Member Children’s Services, to progress arrangements relating to the development and implementation of the London Regional Adoption Agency model.

3.    To support a local detailed stakeholder engagement to ensure that the strengths of the current service (culturally sensitive matching, focus on sibling group matching, recruitment of BME and other minority adopters) are not dissipated by the borough entering the new proposed arrangement.

Action by:

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

(Service Head, Children’s Social Care (N. Patel)

Councillor Rachael Saunders, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, introduced the report. She explained that this proposal followed on from a Department for Education paper in 2015 regionalising adoption services. The report was requesting agreement in principle to join the London Regional Adoption Agency. Further discussions would be held on the detailed arrangements before a final decision was taken.

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

RESOLVED

1.    To agree, in principle, to join a London Regional Adoption Agency, subject to detailed financial analysis and business case;

2.    To authorise the Director of Children’s Services (or equivalent), after consultation with the lead Member Children’s Services, to progress arrangements relating to the development and implementation of the London Regional Adoption Agency model.

3.    To support a local detailed stakeholder engagement to ensure that the strengths of the current service (culturally sensitive matching, focus on sibling group matching, recruitment of BME and other minority adopters) are not dissipated by the borough entering the new proposed arrangement.

The recommendations were amended and then agreed.

DECISION

1.            To agree a standard allowance of £15 per week for all utilities (e.g. heating, water and electricity) which will be disregarded from the income used for charging for community-based services.

2.            To agree to use a higher standard weekly minimum income guarantee (MIG) for adults under pension age of £151.45 when determining how much service users will be asked to contribute to their care costs for community-based services.

3.            To agree a cap on care charges of £250 a week to limit the maximum amount that could be charged to an individual user.    

4.            To agree that the local authority will not charge interest rates on deferred payments for residential and nursing care whilst the client remains in residential/nursing care.

5.            To agree that the local authority will charge administration fees (set out in Appendix IV) in relation to deferred payments for residential or nursing care that reflect the actual costs incurred by the local authority. 

6.            To agree that the local authority will disregard 10 per cent of any rental income when calculating how much a person with a Deferred Payments Agreement needs to pay towards the cost of residential or nursing care.

7.            To note that officers will provide the Mayor with regular monitoring information to enable issues to be highlighted as the implementation progresses.

Action by:

DIRECTOR, ADULTS’ SERVICES (D. RADLEY)

(Project Manager (H. Donnellon)

Councillor David Edgar, Cabinet Member for Resources, introduced the report. He explained that the report set out detailed proposals to allow for charging for adult social care. In particular he highlighted the results of the public consultation exercise and how it had impacted on the final recommendations. It was important to note that people would only be asked to pay if they could afford it and that their home would not be at risk.

Mike Smith from REAL addressed the meeting. He stated that his organisation was against charging in principle but that if it had to be done he considered that more time should be taken to ensure the proposals were right so that they would raise the correct amount of money without causing undue hardship. This could include a pilot project.

 The report was then discussed by Members. It was noted that the financial modelling was considered sound and consistent with what other Councils had used but that the final figures for income would only become clear once all the personal assessments had been carried out. Concerns were also expressed that a pilot scheme could cause confusion with some residents under the new scheme and others not. It was also noted that the scheme set higher thresholds for charging than schemes run by other authorities.

The Mayor thanked everyone for their contributions and officers for their work on the report. He agreed the recommendations as set out subject to an additional recommendation requesting that officers provide him with regular updates to ensure that the charging regime was developing as expected so that remedial action could be taken quickly if needed.

RESOLVED

1.            To agree a standard allowance of £15 per week for all utilities (e.g. heating, water and electricity) which will be disregarded from the income used for charging for community-based services.

2.            To agree to use a higher standard weekly minimum income guarantee (MIG) for adults under pension age of £151.45 when determining how much service users will be asked to contribute to their care costs for community-based services.

3.            To agree a cap on care charges of £250 a week to limit the maximum amount that could be charged to an individual user.    

4.            To agree that the local authority will not charge interest rates on deferred payments for residential and nursing care whilst the client remains in residential/nursing care.

5.            To agree that the local authority will charge administration fees (set out in Appendix IV) in relation to deferred payments for residential or nursing care that reflect the actual costs incurred by the local authority. 

6.            To agree that the local authority will disregard 10 per cent of any rental income when calculating how much a person with a Deferred Payments Agreement needs to pay towards the cost of residential or nursing care.

7.            To note that officers will provide the Mayor with regular monitoring information to enable issues to be highlighted as the implementation progresses.

DECISION

1.            To note the scrutiny challenge session report as agreed by the Health Scrutiny Panel on 20th April 2016 (Appendix 1 to the report) and agree the ‘Action Plan’ in response to the review recommendations. (Appendix 2 to the report).

Action by:

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

DIRECTOR, ADULTS’ SERVICES (D. RADLEY)

Councillor Rachael Saunders, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Children’s Services introduced the report which presented the action plan from the recent Children & Young People’s Mental Health Services Scrutiny Challenge Session. Good work was being undertaken in a number of areas to continually update services for example around supporting vulnerable children and on shifting focus from specialist services to emotional wellbeing.

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

RESOLVED

1.            To note the scrutiny challenge session report as agreed by the Health Scrutiny Panel on 20th April 2016 (Appendix 1 to the report) and agree the ‘Action Plan’ in response to the review recommendations. (Appendix 2 to the report).

DECISION

1.    To note the report of the Scrutiny Challenge Session on homelessness as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

2.    To approve the action plan which sets out the Council’s response to the recommendations of the Scrutiny Challenge Session in Appendix 2 to the report

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT AND RENEWAL (A. DALVI)

The Mayor introduced the report of the Scrutiny Challenge Session on Homelessness. Whilst reviewing the report he noted the action plan and the resulting recommendations that were being taken forward. However, he also noted three recommendations that were not being accepted on unannounced visits, making offers in the private sector and on monitoring.

The Mayor agreed the recommendations as set out in the cover report.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the report of the Scrutiny Challenge Session on homelessness as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

2.    To approve the action plan which sets out the Council’s response to the recommendations of the Scrutiny Challenge Session in Appendix 2 to the report

DECISION

1.    To extend the Council’s Management Agreement with Tower Hamlets Homes (THH) for two years to 7^th July 2020.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT AND RENEWAL (A. DALVI)

(Interim Head of Strategy, Regeneration, Sustainability and Housing Options (M. Baigent)

The Mayor moved the report and agreed the recommendation as set out. He noted that by 2020 he expected Tower Hamlets Homes to have reformed itself to the extent that it could be brought back in-house by the Council should the Mayor at that time wish to do so.

RESOLVED

1.    To extend the Council’s Management Agreement with Tower Hamlets Homes (THH) for two years to 7^th July 2020.

The recommendations were amended and then agreed.

DECISION

1. To note that:

•          The Assessment Report highlights significant harm arising out of the proposals in respect of mansard roofs in the short and medium term and potentially in the long term.

•              Officers’ recommendation is to not proceed with these proposals based on the findings from the Assessment Report.

2. To agree ‘Option 1’ of the Alternative Options listed in part 2 of the report. Namely the ‘Packaged Approach’ to increase the level of quantifiable public benefit to help mitigate harm. Within Option 1, agree Option 1a ‘Integrated Approach’ as set out in paragraph 2.12 of the report.

3.    To consider the revised Character Appraisals and Management Plans for Driffield Road and Medway Conservation Areas alongside relevant measures for mitigating harm as one single ‘package’ in Summer 2017

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT AND RENEWAL (A. DALVI)

(Team Leader, Place Shaping Team (S. Sudhakar)

The Mayor introduced the report on proposed revised character appraisals for conservation areas.

Officers explained that the report followed an Overview and Scrutiny Committee review. In relation to Mansard roofs the recommendation was not to allow these in conservation areas for the reasons set out in the report as there would be a negative impact on the local environment. However, alternative options were also listed if required.

Tom Gill, resident, addressed the meeting. He highlighted that there had been a strong political commitment to allowing Mansard roofs and that this would meet strong local demand for the change.

Adam Cichocki, resident addressed the meeting, he expressed concern at any proposed changes to allow Mansard roofs. He considered there was minimal public demand for the change and that it would have a detrimental impact on the area. He also questioned whether Councillors were proposing these changes whilst living in the areas affected and so standing to gain from the changes.

The Mayor considered all the issues presented at the meeting. He recognised the anxiety of residents to ensure their areas were not negatively impacted by changes but at the same time he considered that providing homeowners with options to expand their properties at a time of housing shortage was sensible.

He proposed to amend the recommendations to instead select alternative Option 1 ‘packaged approach’ (as set out in the report) to look to allow mansard roofs but with mitigation measures developed. Within Option 1 he proposed to adopt Option 1a ‘integrated approach’ to approve further work to develop a mechanism to secure a package of contributions and to adopt a public consultation on the matter with a final decision to be taken in June 2017 on whether to adopt the changes. Having set that out the Mayor agreed the recommendations as amended.

RESOLVED

1. To note that:

•          The Assessment Report highlights significant harm arising out of the proposals in respect of mansard roofs in the short and medium term and potentially in the long term.

•              Officers’ recommendation is to not proceed with these proposals based on the findings from the Assessment Report.

2. To agree ‘Option 1’ of the Alternative Options listed in part 2 of the report. Namely the ‘Packaged Approach’ to increase the level of quantifiable public benefit to help mitigate harm. Within Option 1, agree Option 1a ‘Integrated Approach’ as set out in paragraph 2.12 of the report.

3.    To consider the revised Character Appraisals and Management Plans for Driffield Road and Medway Conservation Areas alongside relevant measures for mitigating harm as one single ‘package’ in Summer 2017

DECISION

1.            To note the contents of the draft Area Profiles and key findings (see Appendix 1 to the report) and that the performance matrix for all town centres is made available for consideration when available.

2.            To delegate authority to the Corporate Director Development and Renewal to oversee the completion of these Area Profiles, including the development of the performance matrix and the delivery of digital maps for all Town centres as part of the #Shoptowerhamlets retail promotion project being delivered in November/December 2016.

3.            To agree to the establishment of local partnerships in identified town centres: – building on the Business Forum in Bethnal Green, the regeneration activity in Whitechapel and developing  new partnerships in Roman Road West and Watney Market.   These partnerships will take ownership of developing the vision and offer in town centres and of monitoring performance in achieving this vision and the objectives.

4.            To agree that the pilot proposals identified in paragraph 4.2 of the report in respect of revenue funding and 4.3 in respect of capital funding are agreed in principle for the identified town centres.

5.            To request officers to identify and align complementary projects such as improving Wi-Fi access in town centres, developing cultural trails and potential match funding to maximise the impact of the pilot programme.

6.            To agree that specific elements of revenue and capital work identified commence – including any procurement activity and/or commissioning activity required, working in partnership with other Council departments and external stakeholders.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT AND RENEWAL (A. DALVI)

(Business and Town Centre Manager (M. Aust)

Councillor Joshua Peck, Cabinet Member for Work and Economic Growth, introduced the report. He explained that there had been a significant amount of work undertaken looking into support for town centres and on how best to co-ordinate the support available from different directorates. He noted the benchmarking work to help monitor performance in the future.

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

RESOLVED

1.            To note the contents of the draft Area Profiles and key findings (see Appendix 1 to the report) and that the performance matrix for all town centres is made available for consideration when available.

2.            To delegate authority to the Corporate Director Development and Renewal to oversee the completion of these Area Profiles, including the development of the performance matrix and the delivery of digital maps for all Town centres as part of the #Shoptowerhamlets retail promotion project being delivered in November/December 2016.

3.            To agree to the establishment of local partnerships in identified town centres: – building on the Business Forum in Bethnal Green, the regeneration activity in Whitechapel and developing  new partnerships in Roman Road West and Watney Market.   These partnerships will take ownership of developing the vision and offer in town centres and of monitoring performance in achieving this vision and the objectives.

4.            To agree that the pilot proposals identified in paragraph 4.2 of the report in respect of revenue funding and 4.3 in respect of capital funding are agreed in principle for the identified town centres.

5.            To request officers to identify and align complementary projects such as improving Wi-Fi access in town centres, developing cultural trails and potential match funding to maximise the impact of the pilot programme.

6.            To agree that specific elements of revenue and capital work identified commence – including any procurement activity and/or commissioning activity required, working in partnership with other Council departments and external stakeholders.

DECISION

1.            To approve the allocation of £2,380,080 of S106 funding to the projects set out in Table 1 of the report and profiled in the Project Initiation Documents attached at Appendices A to C to the report and as set out below:

a)            Hackney Wick Station Improvements: £1,000,000

b)            Regenerating Brick Lane: £985,280

c)            TfL Commercial Road A13 and Watney Market Urban Realm and Safety Improvements: £394,800

2.            To approve the adoption of capital budgets in respect of the projects set out in the three PIDs and incorporate them into the Council’s capital programme. The capital budgets equate to:

a)            Hackney Wick Station Improvements: £1,000,000

b)            Regenerating Brick Lane: £589,000

c)            TfL Commercial Road A13 and Watney Market Urban Realm and Safety Improvements: £394,800

3.            To approve entering into a funding agreement within the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) for the Hackney Wick Station improvements project.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT AND RENEWAL (A. DALVI)

(Service Head, Planning and Building Control (O. Whalley)

(Acting Service Head for Economic Development (A. Scott)

The Mayor introduced the report noting that there were three schemes for consideration. Along with Cabinet Members and officers he went through each scheme in turn looking at the proposals, what was to be provided and who was in charge of each scheme. In relation to the Brick Lane proposal it was reported that Councillor Joshua Peck (Cabinet Member for Work and Economic Growth) was to chair an officer working group to lead the project.

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

RESOLVED

1.            To approve the allocation of £2,380,080 of S106 funding to the projects set out in Table 1 of the report and profiled in the Project Initiation Documents attached at Appendices A to C to the report and as set out below:

a)            Hackney Wick Station Improvements: £1,000,000

b)            Regenerating Brick Lane: £985,280

c)            TfL Commercial Road A13 and Watney Market Urban Realm and Safety Improvements: £394,800

2.            To approve the adoption of capital budgets in respect of the projects set out in the three PIDs and incorporate them into the Council’s capital programme. The capital budgets equate to:

a)            Hackney Wick Station Improvements: £1,000,000

b)            Regenerating Brick Lane: £589,000

c)            TfL Commercial Road A13 and Watney Market Urban Realm and Safety Improvements: £394,800

3.            To approve entering into a funding agreement within the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) for the Hackney Wick Station improvements project.

DECISION

1.            To approve the adoption and implementation of the LIF process as proposed in Figures 1 & 2 of the report.

2.            To approve the apportionment of 25% of LBTH CIL receipts resulting from development to the LIF across the whole borough.

3.            To approve the adoption of the boundaries as proposed in Section 6 of this document and displayed in Appendix A to the report.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT AND RENEWAL (A. DALVI)

(Service Head, Planning and Building Control (O. Whalley)

The Mayor introduced the report on the neighbourhood portion of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). He explained that it was important to balance the needs of the areas supporting the most regeneration as well as the wider impacts on the Borough as a whole. He agreed the recommendations as set out in the report.

RESOLVED

1.            To approve the adoption and implementation of the LIF process as proposed in Figures 1 & 2 of the report.

2.            To approve the apportionment of 25% of LBTH CIL receipts resulting from development to the LIF across the whole borough.

3.            To approve the adoption of the boundaries as proposed in Section 6 of this document and displayed in Appendix A to the report.

DECISION

1.    To review the options for the future delivery of the Mela.

2.    To approve the recommendation that the 2017 and 2018 Mela is delivered in house whilst we market test other options outlined in this report.

3.    To agree to provide funding up to £170k for the in-house management of the Mela.

Action by:

CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND ACTING CORPORATE DIRECTOR, COMMUNITIES, LOCALITIES AND CULTURE (W. TUCKLEY)

(Head of Arts, Parks and Events S. Murray)

Councillor Asma Begum, Cabinet Member for Culture, introduced the report. She explained that the Mela had been delivered in-house this last year and that this was proposed for the next two years whilst other options wee explored. Officers would be looking to generate income where possible but that a general fund cost was also set out.

During discussion it was noted that the Mela had been a big success and that increased community engagement could help it develop further.

The Mayor noted that the Mela had been taken on by the Council at short noitice due to issues with the Trust.

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

RESOLVED

1.    To review the options for the future delivery of the Mela.

2.    To approve the recommendation that the 2017 and 2018 Mela is delivered in house whilst we market test other options outlined in this report.

3.    To agree to provide funding up to £170k for the in-house management of the Mela.

DECISION

1.    To note the Individual Mayoral Decisions set out in the Appendices to the report.

Action by:

COMMITTEE SERVICES MANAGER (M. MANNION)

The Mayor introduced the report and noted the recent individual mayoral decisions. He agreed the recommendation as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the Individual Mayoral Decisions set out in the Appendices to the report.

DECISION

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

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (Z. COOKE)

(Accountant – Financial Planning (A. Kadir)

The Mayor introduced the report. He noted the recent director decisions and agreed the recommendation as set out.

RESOLVED

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

Nil items.

Nil items.

The exempt / confidential minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on xxxxxx are presented for approval.

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.