Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillor David Edgar (Cabinet Member for Environment)

Apologies for lateness were received on behalf of:

·         Councillor Motin Uz-Zaman (Cabinet Member for Work and Economic Growth)

·         Councillor Abdal Ullah (Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

·         Will Tuckley (Chief Executive)

Councillor Candida Ronald declared an interest in Agenda Item 6.4 (Isle of Dogs Neighbourhood Plan Examiner’s Report) as she was a Member of the Isle of Dogs Neighbourhood Planning Forum. She did not consider the interest to be Pecuniary but she would nevertheless leave the room for the duration of that item.

The unrestricted minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday 27 March 2018 are presented for approval.

RESOLVED

1.    That the unrestricted minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday 27 March 2018 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record of proceedings.

The Mayor made a number of announcements including that:

·         His manifesto from the recent elections was being formally adopted by the Council and the targets from the manifesto would be incorporated into the Strategic Plan which would be presented at the next Cabinet meeting.

·         He introduced the new Cabinet and in particular welcomed Councillors Danny Hassell, Candida Ronald and Motin Uz-Zaman who were new to the Cabinet.

·         Councillor Denise Jones had been appointed as his Older People’s Champion to ensure older people had an identified voice in the Council. She would have a number of target areas to focus on including tackling loneliness and encouraging older people to be active amongst many others.

·         Agreement had been reached with Greenwich Leisure Limited to ensure all their employees at Tower Hamlets leisure centres would be paid at least the London Living Wage backdated to April 2018.

·         He encouraged everyone to attend the MELA which was due to take place on Sunday 1 July.

Councillor Danny Hassell, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Young People, further announced that the 2017 exam results had now been verified and benchmarked and that they showed a continued year on year improvement. He congratulated the pupils, teachers, parents, schools and all those who supported education within the Borough.

Finally, Councillor Sirajul Islam, Statutory Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Housing congratulated Tower Hamlets Homes’ Communications team for their recent Communications Team of the Year award.

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

The Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) advised Cabinet that there were a large number of questions from OSC in relation to Agenda Item 6.3 (Securing the future of early years services). However, due to the number of questions received it had been agreed that a response would be provided within a week of submission.

In addition Councillor Abdal Ullah, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, provided Cabinet with an update on their recent meeting. He noted a number of issues including:

·         Thanking the Mayor for attending the meeting and setting out his vision for the next few years.

·         That OSC had discussed its role and how it could make the biggest impact – a number of ideas had been discussed including:

o   Looking at alternative meeting venues

o   Considering early issues for review such as affordable housing, Brexit and opportunities for young people.

·         The Committee had also received a report specifically looking at ways of strengthening Scrutiny which had helped mould these discussions.

The Mayor thanked Councillor Abdal Ullah for his update and stated that he looked forward to a productive relationship with OSC.

Nil items.

DECISION

2.            To agree the next steps in the improvement journey which will be updated on in the next report. 

Action by:

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

(Children’s Services Improvement Manager (C. Sani)

Councillor Danny Hassell, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Young People, introduced the report. He reminded Members of the background to the report, updated the meeting on the recent OFSTED visit and explained that their next visit would be in August 2018 with a focus on areas such as permanency planning.

He welcomed the progress that was being made in Children’s Services highlighting a number of improvements including; the new workforce strategy, improved training offer, the work with social workers on the restorative justice model and improved case management. He also noted challenges that remained including in recruitment and continued relationship building with the police.

The Mayor thanked Councillor Danny Hassell for his update and engagement and officers for their work to address these issues. He agreed the recommendations as set out.

RESOLVED

2.            To agree the next steps in the improvement journey which will be updated on in the next report. 

DECISION

1.    To note and consider the development of the Draft Waste Management Strategy 2018-2030

2.    To approve the Draft Waste Management Strategy 2018 – 2030 for consultation between 2^nd July 2018 and 30 September 2018.

3.    To note that the results of that consultation will be reported to a future cabinet meeting, along with the final Waste Management Strategy for approval.

4.    To authorise the Acting Corporate Director of Place to commence procurement of an integrated waste, recycling and cleansing contract via competitive dialogue in September 2018 to be implemented for April 2020.

5.    To authorise the Acting Corporate Director of Place to develop an “in house” service option for an integrated waste, recycling and cleansing service for future consideration and approval in September 2018

6.    To note the Equalities Impact Assessment considerations as set out in Paragraph 4.1 of the report.

Action by:

ACTING CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)

(Interim Divisional Director Public Realm (R. Payne)

(Business Manager Operational Services (R. Williams)

The Mayor introduced the report on the draft waste management strategy. He explained that the strategy was to go out for consultation whilst at the same time the Council would be reviewing alternative in-house and external procurement options for the waste management contract.

The Mayor noted the challenges related to this issue, for example around recycling. He agreed the recommendations as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To note and consider the development of the Draft Waste Management Strategy 2018-2030

2.    To approve the Draft Waste Management Strategy 2018 – 2030 for consultation between 2^nd July 2018 and 30 September 2018.

3.    To note that the results of that consultation will be reported to a future cabinet meeting, along with the final Waste Management Strategy for approval.

4.    To authorise the Acting Corporate Director of Place to commence procurement of an integrated waste, recycling and cleansing contract via competitive dialogue in September 2018 to be implemented for April 2020.

5.    To authorise the Acting Corporate Director of Place to develop an “in house” service option for an integrated waste, recycling and cleansing service for future consideration and approval in September 2018

6.    To note the Equalities Impact Assessment considerations as set out in Paragraph 4.1 of the report.

DECISION

1. To note the proposal to undertake a phased closure of the council’s three childcare day nurseries.

2. To agree that consultation take place in respect of the said proposal(s) and that the feedback of the said consultation to be brought back to the mayor for consideration.

3.    To note what further actions will be undertaken to improve the availability of affordable and accessible childcare.

Action by:

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

(Divisional Director, Education and Partnerships (C. McInnes)

The Mayor agreed the reasons for urgency as set out in the report, namely that:

“This report was published late as it was necessary to undertake further legal due diligence around the proposals. The report needs to be considered at this meeting due to the need to launch the consultation process on Thursday 28 June.”

Councillor Danny Hassell, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Young People, introduced the report. He highlighted the financial pressures on the Council and the need to ensure effective services were provided in an efficient and fair way. The imminent cut in funding for the current arrangements meant that a decision was required as soon as possible.

The Mayor then received a number of submissions to the meeting from parents, unions, Councillors and Head Teachers. A number of points were raised, including that:

·         Concerns that places in these nurseries were more costly than other options and that these services could be provided more effectively elsewhere.

·         There were large funding pressures on education as a whole.

·         Falling numbers of children meant that there were vacancies at other nurseries.

·         Why were the nurseries more expensive than other options and was that, for example, because they had been deliberately ‘run down’ or otherwise not supported to make the most of what they could offer.

·         The need to ensure staff were properly consulted on any proposed changes.

·         The difficulty in recruiting staff on fixed term contracts due to the uncertain future for the nurseries.

The Mayor thanked everyone for their contributions. He noted the Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and that officers would be providing responses to them. He noted that the report was asking for a consultation to take place in respect of the proposal to undertake a phased closure of the nurseries. He agreed the recommendations as set out.

RESOLVED

1. To note the proposal to undertake a phased closure of the council’s three childcare day nurseries.

2. To agree that consultation take place in respect of the said proposal(s) and that the feedback of the said consultation to be brought back to the mayor for consideration.

3.    To note what further actions will be undertaken to improve the availability of affordable and accessible childcare.

DECISION

1.    To note the Isle of Dogs Neighbourhood Development Plan Report of Examination (Appendix 1) and the Examiner’s recommendation that the draft Neighbourhood Plan does not meet the basic conditions stipulated by legislation and therefore should be refused and cannot proceed to referendum.

2.    To agree with the Examiner’s recommendations and therefore that the plan proposal be refused and not proceed to referendum.

3.    To note that the Council will continue to provide support to the Isle of Dogs Neighbourhood Forum as they consider their next steps. 

4.    To note the specific equalities considerations as set out in section 8 of the report.

Action by:

ACTING CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)

(Principal Planning Officer (E. Kuper-Thomas)

(Plan Making Team Leader (M. Ryan-Hernandez)

[Note – Councillor Candida Ronald left the room for the duration of this item.]

Councillor Rachel Blake, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Air Quality, introduced the report. She thanked officers and the members of the Neighbourhood Planning Forum for their work on this Plan. It was regrettable that the Examiner had refused the proposed Plan. However, the Council would continue to support the idea of neighbourhood planning.

The Mayor agreed the recommendations as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the Isle of Dogs Neighbourhood Development Plan Report of Examination (Appendix 1) and the Examiner’s recommendation that the draft Neighbourhood Plan does not meet the basic conditions stipulated by legislation and therefore should be refused and cannot proceed to referendum.

2.    To agree with the Examiner’s recommendations and therefore that the plan proposal be refused and not proceed to referendum.

3.    To note that the Council will continue to provide support to the Isle of Dogs Neighbourhood Forum as they consider their next steps. 

4.    To note the specific equalities considerations as set out in section 8 of the report.

DECISION

1.    To note the Council’s provisional outturn position against Revenue and HRA budgets agreed for 2017-18, based on information as at the end of March as detailed in the Appendices to the report.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (Z. COOKE)

(Chief Accountant, K. Miles)

Councillor Candida Ronald, Cabinet Member for Resources, introduced the budget monitoring report setting out the Council’s financial position. She noted the main budget pressures especially in Children’s and Adults Services and Health. Many of the planned savings had been achieved by the Council but a number were still in progress and overall it was a very challenging environment.

The Mayor welcomed the report, noted a number of points in discussion including on the need to improve returns on investments made. He welcomed the improved layout of the data in the report and agreed the recommendation as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the Council’s provisional outturn position against Revenue and HRA budgets agreed for 2017-18, based on information as at the end of March as detailed in the Appendices to the report.

DECISION

1.            To note the Strategic Plan actions and strategic performance measures (Appendix 1 to the report) year-end performance.

Action by:

CHIEF EXECUTIVE (W. TUCKLEY)

(Divisional Director, Strategy, Policy and Performance (S. Godman)

(Strategy, Policy and Performance Officer (V. Allen)

The Mayor introduced the report on the Council’s 2018-19 Strategic Performance. He agreed the recommendation as set out.

RESOLVED

1.            To note the Strategic Plan actions and strategic performance measures (Appendix 1 to the report) year-end performance.

DECISION

1.    To note the report.

2.    That reports on the following contracts be provided to the Lead Members on the following contracts before final contract awards:

a.    R5345 – Enforcement Agents

b.    HAC5356 – 0-5 Specialist Community Public Health Nursing

3.    To confirm that the remaining contracts set out in Appendix 1 to the report may proceed to contract award after tender.

4.    To authorise the Divisional Director, Legal Services to execute all necessary contract documents in respect of the awards of contracts referred to in recommendation 3 above.

5.    To note the procurement forward plan 2018-22 schedule detailed in Appendix 2 of the report.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (Z. COOKE)

(Head of Procurement (Z. Ahmed)

Councillor Candida Ronald, Cabinet Member for Resources, introduced the report. She stated that Cabinet Members had considered the report and would like reports to be presented for information to the relevant Lead Members on the Enforcement Agents and Public Health Nursing contracts before final awarding of those contracts.

The Mayor accepted the requests and agreed that all other contracts could proceed to award as planned.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the report.

2.    That reports on the following contracts be provided to the Lead Members before final contract awards:

a.    R5345 – Enforcement Agents

b.    HAC5356 – 0-5 Specialist Community Public Health Nursing

3.    To confirm that the remaining contracts set out in Appendix 1 to the report may proceed to contract award after tender.

4.    To authorise the Divisional Director, Legal Services to execute all necessary contract documents in respect of the awards of contracts referred to in recommendation 3 above.

5.    To note the procurement forward plan 2018-22 schedule detailed in Appendix 2 of the report.

Nil items.

Nil items.

Should any exempt information be presented to the meeting and 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.

Nil items.

Nil items.