Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillor Joshua Peck, Cabinet Member for Work and Economic Development.

At the meeting the Mayor agreed to vary the order of the agenda to take items that members of the public had come to see first. For clarity, the minutes are presented in the order in which the items appeared on the agenda.

At the meeting the Mayor took the business in the following order:

·         Agenda Items 1 – 4

·         Item 5.1 (The Council’s 2018-19 Budget Report and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2018-21)

·         Item 5.3 (Consultation on an Additional Licensing Scheme for Houses in Multiple Occupation)

·         Item 5.5 (Neighbourhood Planning: Determination of Poplar Neighbourhood

·         Item 5.2 (Community Engagement Strategy)

And then the remaining items in agenda order.

To note any declarations of interest made by Members, including those restricting Members from voting on the questions detailed in Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act, 1992.  See attached note from the Monitoring Officer.

There were no Declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests.

The unrestricted minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday 9 January 2018 are presented for approval.

RESOLVED

1.            That the unrestricted minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday 9 January 2018 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.

Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions, and officer responses, were noted in relation to Agenda Items:

• 5.1 (The Council’s 2018-19 Budget Report and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2018-21)
• 5.2 (Community Engagement Strategy)
• 5.3 (Homes in Multiple Occupation)
• 5.4 (Oval Public Space and Leisure Facility Improvements – S106)
• 5.6 (Office to Residential)
• 5.7 (Annual Infrastructure Statement 2018/19)
• 5.8 (Strategic Performance Monitoring)

The questions and responses were considered during the discussion of each relevant agenda item.

Further to the above, Councillor Dave Chesterton, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC), provided Cabinet with an update on their last two meetings. He reported that on Monday 15 January the Committee had met to review the Mayor’s draft budget proposals and their formal response had been tabled in advance of tonight’s Cabinet meeting for the Mayor to consider.

Turning to their regular meeting held on Wednesday 24 January, he reported that a number of issues had been examined including:

·         A Cabinet Member Spotlight on Work and Economic Development with Councillor Joshua Peck which looked at a number of issues such as targeting business rate relief to small and medium sized businesses, the sustainability of projects once their funding ended and concerns about the loss of modern industrial units.

·         A discussion on the Action Plan coming out of the Scrutiny Challenge Session on Recycling with a particular discussion about high rise properties and how the performance of Veolia was being monitored.

The Mayor thanked Councillor Dave Chesterton for his update.

Nil items.

The recommendations were amended and then agreed.

DECISION

1.    To agree a General Fund Revenue Budget of £343.703m subject to any changes arising from the Final Local Government Finance Settlement. To be presented to Council for consideration.

2.    To agree the Council Tax (Band D) at £986.14 for 2018-19 to be referred to Council for consideration.

3.    To authorise the Corporate Director, Resources after consultation with the Mayor and Lead Member of Resources to make any changes required to the budget following the final settlement announcement in February.

4.    To approve the revised Capital Programme for the period to 2027-28; as detailed in Appendix 9A-D and adopt the associated capital estimates.

5.    To approve the draft 2018-19 Housing Revenue Account budget as set out in Appendix 8A to the report.

6.    To approve the draft 2018-19 Management Fee payable to Tower Hamlets Homes (THH) of £30.979m as set out in Table 4 of the report.

7.    To note that under the Management Agreement between the Council and THH, THH manages delegated income and expenditure budgets on behalf of the Council. In 2018-19, THH will manage delegated income budgets totalling £87.101m and delegated expenditure budgets of £25.829m.

8.    To note the refreshed strategic priorities and outcomes (Paragraph 3.2.4) for the final year of the three year Strategic Plan agreed by Cabinet in April 2016.

9.    To note the following matters:

General Fund Revenue Budget for 2018-19 and Medium Term Financial

Strategy 2018-19 to 2020-21

The initial budget proposal and Council Tax for 2018-19 together with the

Medium Term Financial Strategy set out in Appendix 1A to the report.

Note the decision made by the Mayor in Cabinet to participate in the London

Wide Business Rates Retention pilot scheme and also reflecting the Mayor’s

instruction that the case for greater local retention must be vigorously pursued.

Note the decision of the Mayor in Cabinet to increase the Council Tax empty

homes premium from 50% to 100%. These changes will require primary

legislation in parliament to amend section 11b of the Local Government

Finance Act 1992 and will not be completed for the 2018-19 financial year.

Budget Consultation

The outcome of consultation so far with business ratepayers, residents and

other stakeholders is set out in Section 3.13 and Appendix 10 of the report.

Funding

The funding available for 2018-19 and the indications and forecasts for future

years as set out in Section 3.4 of the report.

Growth and Inflation

The risks identified from potential growth and inflation commitments arising in

2018-19 and future years together with new initiatives identified as Mayoral

Priority Growth as set out in Section 3.5 and Appendix 3 of the report.

Savings

New proposed saving items to be delivered in 2018-19 and 2020-21 as set out in Section 3.6 and Appendix 4 of the report.

Financial Risks: Reserves and Contingencies

The strategic budget risks and opportunities as set out in Section 3.7 and the

assessment of risk as detailed in Appendix 6 of the report.

Reserves and Balances

The  ...  view the full decision text for item 5.1

Councillor David Edgar, Cabinet Member for Resources, introduced the report on the proposed Budget and Council Tax for 2018/19 and associated items. He explained that the report contained some minor amendments from the draft version presented at Cabinet on 9 January but that there were no material changes. In addition, the report presented the feedback from the consultation exercise that had been undertaken.

He also highlighted that the report contained a number of other items including the Housing Revenue Account and Capital Programme.

Councillor Dave Chesterton, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) then took Cabinet through the main points of the Committee’s formal response to the draft budget proposals.

During discussion Members noted the OSC response and also raised a number of points including:

·         The pressures on Children’s Services and the need to invest in improvements following the OFSTED investigation.

·         The general levels of service provision for the under 5s.

·         Welcoming the additional provision for early years in Victoria Park.

The Mayor thanked everyone for their comments. He welcomed the report and highlighted that the budget was the raw data behind which many good council services were being delivered. However, he did agree with the comments that more work was needed to review service provision for the under 5s and so he would like to see further work on service impact of the savings proposed in that area. Subject to that amendment the Mayor agreed the recommendations as set out in the report.

RESOLVED

1.    To agree a General Fund Revenue Budget of £343.703m subject to any changes arising from the Final Local Government Finance Settlement. To be presented to Council for consideration.

2.    To agree the Council Tax (Band D) at £986.14 for 2018-19 to be referred to Council for consideration.

3.    To authorise the Corporate Director, Resources after consultation with the Mayor and Lead Member of Resources to make any changes required to the budget following the final settlement announcement in February.

4.    To approve the revised Capital Programme for the period to 2027-28; as detailed in Appendix 9A-D and adopt the associated capital estimates.

5.    To approve the draft 2018-19 Housing Revenue Account budget as set out in Appendix 8A to the report.

6.    To approve the draft 2018-19 Management Fee payable to Tower Hamlets Homes (THH) of £30.979m as set out in Table 4 of the report.

7.    To note that under the Management Agreement between the Council and THH, THH manages delegated income and expenditure budgets on behalf of the Council. In 2018-19, THH will manage delegated income budgets totalling £87.101m and delegated expenditure budgets of £25.829m.

8.    To note the refreshed strategic priorities and outcomes (Paragraph 3.2.4) for the final year of the three year Strategic Plan agreed by Cabinet in April 2016.

9.    To note the following matters:

General Fund Revenue Budget for 2018-19 and Medium Term Financial

Strategy 2018-19 to 2020-21

The initial budget proposal and Council Tax for 2018-19 together with the

Medium Term Financial Strategy set out in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.1

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

DECISION

1.    To agree the Community Engagement Strategy, its delivery plan and framework, taking into account the changes made from comments and responses received from stakeholders, Department Leadership Teams, Corporate Leadership Team and the Mayor’s Advisory Board.

2.    To note the resources and responsibilities required across the Council to implement the Community Engagement Strategy delivery plan, in particular in relation to local engagement under the Local Strategic Partnership.

Action by:

CHIEF EXECUTIVE (W. TUCKLEY)

(Service Manager, Cohesion, Engagement and Commissioning (E. Fieran-Reed)

The Mayor introduced the report on the new Community Engagement Strategy. He explained that it provided an enabling framework for how community engagement would take place.

During discussion it was noted that an important feature of the Strategy was in setting minimum standards for engagement. It would also be important in helping to ensure that hard to reach groups were properly engaged with.

The Mayor welcomed the report, he noted the Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses, and agreed the recommendations as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To agree the Community Engagement Strategy, its delivery plan and framework, taking into account the changes made from comments and responses received from stakeholders, Department Leadership Teams, Corporate Leadership Team and the Mayor’s Advisory Board.

2.    To note the resources and responsibilities required across the Council to implement the Community Engagement Strategy delivery plan, in particular in relation to local engagement under the Local Strategic Partnership.

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

DECISION

1.    To agree that a consultation exercise takes place on introducing an Additional Licensing scheme for HMOs outside the current Selective Licensing area

2.    To agree that subject to consultation, the Additional Licensing Scheme will apply borough wide to HMOs of the descriptions set out in Appendix 3 to the report.

3.    To agree that the following proposals will form part of the consultation:

·         Fee Structure

·         Licence conditions

·         Amenity Standards

·         Fit and Proper Person Protocol

4.    To note that once the consultation exercise has been completed, the responses will be analysed and then a report will be submitted to the Mayor in Cabinet for a decision as to whether to adopt an Additional Licensing Scheme.

Action by:

ACTING CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)

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

Councillor Sirajul Islam, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Housing, introduced the report. He explained that the report proposed a consultation to amend the existing scheme. He noted that there was additional money set out to support the private renters’ charter.

Councillor Peter Golds, Leader of the Conservative Group, addressed Cabinet to welcome the report and highlight his concerns that there was a real problem with companies/individuals buying up large numbers of properties and looking to turn whole streets into multiple occupancy properties.

The Mayor welcomed the report. In addition he highlighted the need to lobby the government for more powers to tackle these issues. He noted the Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses and agreed the recommendations as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To agree that a consultation exercise takes place on introducing an Additional Licensing scheme for HMOs outside the current Selective Licensing area

2.    To agree that subject to consultation, the Additional Licensing Scheme will apply borough wide to HMOs of the descriptions set out in Appendix 3 to the report.

3.    To agree that the following proposals will form part of the consultation:

·         Fee Structure

·         Licence conditions

·         Amenity Standards

·         Fit and Proper Person Protocol

4.    To note that once the consultation exercise has been completed, the responses will be analysed and then a report will be submitted to the Mayor in Cabinet for a decision as to whether to adopt an Additional Licensing Scheme.

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

DECISION

1.    To approve the allocation of £1.5 million in Section 106 (S106) funding to the proposals set out in the “Leisure Facility Improvement” Project Initiation Document (PID), which is attached to this Cabinet report at Appendix A and Table 1 of the report.

2.    To approve the allocation of S106 money towards a total project cost of £335,820 as set out in the “Oval Public Space” Project Initiation Document (PID), which is attached to this Cabinet report at Appendix B and Table 1 of the report and to adopt corresponding capital estimates in order that the projects can be included within the Council’s capital programme.

Action by:

ACTING CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)

(Divisional Director, Planning and Building Control (O. Whalley)

(Head of Sports and Physical Activity (L. Pottinger)

(Head of Parks and Events (S. Murray)

Councillor Abdul Mukit, Cabinet Member for Culture and Youth, introduced the report. He reported that work was already in progress for Oval Public Space and that this was the proposed method of funding that work. He noted the Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses.

The Mayor agreed the recommendations as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To approve the allocation of £1.5 million in Section 106 (S106) funding to the proposals set out in the “Leisure Facility Improvement” Project Initiation Document (PID), which is attached to this Cabinet report at Appendix A and Table 1 of the report.

2.    To approve the allocation of S106 money towards a total project cost of £335,820 as set out in the “Oval Public Space” Project Initiation Document (PID), which is attached to this Cabinet report at Appendix B and Table 1 of the report and to adopt corresponding capital estimates in order that the projects can be included within the Council’s capital programme.

DECISION

1.    To approve the designation of the Poplar Neighbourhood Planning Area, as amended, and as defined in the plan contained in Appendix 1 to the report.

Action by:

ACTING CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)

(Strategic Planning Manager (M. Ryan-Hernandez)

(Planning Officer (E. Kuper-Thomas)

Councillor Rachel Blake, Cabinet Member for Strategic Development and Waste, introduced the report. She welcomed the residents to the meeting who had come to support the proposals. She stated that she considered the report set out a reasonable neighbourhood planning area.

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

RESOLVED

1.    To approve the designation of the Poplar Neighbourhood Planning Area, as amended, and as defined in the plan contained in Appendix 1 to the report.

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

DECISION

1.    To confirm the Article 4 direction made on 19^th September 2017 which removes permitted development rights from offices (B1(a)) to residential (C3) within the areas shown on the map attached as Appendix 1 to the report;

2.    To note that the Article 4 Direction will come into effect on 1^st June 2019. 

Action by:

ACTING CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)

(Strategic Planning Manager (M. Ryan-Hernandez)

(Planning Officer (T. Clarke)

Councillor Rachel Blake, Cabinet Member for Strategic Development and Waste introduced the report. She explained that it was necessary to bring in an Article 4 order if the Council wished to retain control over conversions of Offices to Residential spaces. She explained that if it was agreed then the Article 4 Direction would come into effect on 1 June 2019.

The Mayor welcomed the report, noted the Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses and agreed the recommendations as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To confirm the Article 4 direction made on 19^th September 2017 which removes permitted development rights from offices (B1(a)) to residential (C3) within the areas shown on the map attached as Appendix 1 to the report;

2.    To note that the Article 4 Direction will come into effect on 1^st June 2019. 

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

DECISION

1.    To adopt the proposed Annual Infrastructure Statement attached to this report at Appendix A to the report.

Action by:

ACTING CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)

(Divisional Director, Planning and Building Control (O. Whalley)

Councillor Rachel Blake, Cabinet Member for Strategic Development and Waste, introduced the report. She explained that the purpose of the report was to ensure transparency on how S106 and CIL funds were accrued and spent. The funds were then targeted towards key themes in each area. She noted the Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses.

Councillor Andrew Wood, Ward Councillor for Canary Wharf Ward, addressed Cabinet. He expressed concern that there were too many infrastructure documents and not enough clarity.

The Mayor noted the comments. He welcomed the report and agreed the recommendation.

RESOLVED

1.    To adopt the proposed Annual Infrastructure Statement attached to this report at Appendix A to the report.

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

DECISION

1.    To note the performance of the strategic measures at mid-year, including those measures where the minimum expectation has been missed (appendix 1 to the report); and

2.    To note progress in delivering the Strategic Plan at the mid-year point, including those activities that are flagged as delayed and overdue (appendix 2 to the report).

Action by:

DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR, STRATEGY, POLICY AND PARTNERSHIP (S. GODMAN)

The Mayor introduced the report. He drew Members attention to the strategic indicators listed in the report including those marked red. In particular he highlighted that a number of indicators linked to Children’s Services had been put in place as a reaction to the OFSTED report and that these were expected to begin as red before moving towards green as they progressed.

The report was discussed and other issues were noted including:

·         Potential employment gaps between different groups and the additional research needed to see how accurate the figures were.

·         Efforts to tackle staff sickness levels including ensuring the Council was a good place to work.

The Mayor noted the Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses and agreed the recommendations as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the performance of the strategic measures at mid-year, including those measures where the minimum expectation has been missed (appendix 1 to the report); and

2.    To note progress in delivering the Strategic Plan at the mid-year point, including those activities that are flagged as delayed and overdue (appendix 2 to the report).

DECISION

1. To note the contract summary at Appendix 1 to the report and agree that all listed contract can proceed to contract award after tender.

2. To authorise the Divisional Director - Legal Services to execute all necessary contract documents in respect of the awards of contracts referred to at Recommendation 1 above.

3. To note the procurement forward plan 2018-2022 schedule detailed in Appendix 2 to the report. 

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (Z. COOKE)

(Head of Procurement (Z. Ahmed)

Councillor David Edgar, Cabinet Member for Resources, introduced the report. He explained that this was an opportunity for Members to highlight any contracts where they would like more information to be presented to Cabinet before they proceeded to the award stage. On this occasion he was not aware that any particular contracts had been highlighted by Cabinet and was therefore proposing that all contracts proceed as planned.

The Mayor thanked Councillor David Edgar and confirmed that the contracts could continue as planned. The recommendations were amended as required and agreed.

RESOLVED

1. To note the contract summary at Appendix 1 to the report and agree that all listed contract can proceed to contract award after tender.

2. To authorise the Divisional Director - Legal Services to execute all necessary contract documents in respect of the awards of contracts referred to at Recommendation 1 above.

3. To note the procurement forward plan 2018-2022 schedule detailed in Appendix 2 to the report. 

 DECISION

1.    To appoint Julie Fagan to the Board of THH as a Resident (Tenant) Board  Member.

Action by:

ACTING CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)

(Interim Divisional Director, Regeneration and Housing (M. Baigent)

The Mayor introduced the report and confirmed the appointment of Julie Fagan to the Tower Hamlets Homes (THH) Board as proposed.

RESOLVED

1.    To appoint Julie Fagan to the Board of THH as a Resident (Tenant) Board  Member.

Nil items.

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.