At the meeting the Mayor agreed to change the order of business to take items of interest to those in attendance and to facilitate officer attendance at other formal Council meetings. For clarity these minutes are presented in the order of the agenda.

At the meeting the items were taken as follow:

·         Agenda items 1 to 5 in order.

·         6.2 (Tower Hamlets Plan 2018 23)

·         6.5 (Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme)

·         6.6 (Supporting the Local Economy – Proposed Criteria for Granting Business Rate Relief)

·         6.4 (Supporting the Local Economy – Social Value Framework)

·         6.9 (Medium Term Financial Strategy Refresh 2019-20 and budget planning)

·         6.10 (Revenue and Capital Monitoring 2018-19 Quarter One – June 2018)

·         6.1 (Strategic Plan 2018/19 – 2020/21)

·         6.3 (Anti-Idling designation in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets)

·         6.8 (Statement of Licensing Policy 2018-23)

·         6.7 (Site at 20 Alton Street E14 6BZ)

·         The rest of the agenda in order.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of:

·         Councillor Candida Ronald (Cabinet Member for Resources and the Voluntary Sector)

·         Asmat Hussain (Corporate Director, Governance) – deputised by Janet Fasan (Divisional Director, Legal Services)

·         Debbie Jones (Corporate Director, Children’s Services) – deputised by Judith St John (Divisional Director, Sports, Leisure and Culture)

Councillor Denise Jones declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in Agenda Item 6.6 (Supporting the Local Economy – Proposed Criteria for Granting Business Rate Relief) as she had a small business. She would leave the room for the duration of that Agenda Item.

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

RESOLVED

1.    The unrestricted minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday 27 June 2018 be approved and signed by the Mayor as a correct record of proceedings.

The Mayor and Councillor Amina Ali, Cabinet Member for Culture, Arts and Brexit, reported that the Council would soon be announcing the launch of its Brexit Commission.

The Commission would consist of Council and external representatives and its role was to examine the potential impact of Brexit on the Borough and its wider business and resident communities. A final report setting out its findings would then be published.

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 written officer responses, were received in relation to the following Agenda Items:

·         6.3 (Anti-Idling Designation in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets)

·         6.4 (Supporting the Local Economy – Social Value Framework)

·         6.5 (Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme)

·         6.6 (Supporting the Local Economy – Proposed Criteria for Granting Business Rate Relief)

·         6.7 (Site at 20 Alton Street)

·         6.10 (Revenue and Capital Monitoring 2018-19 Quarter 1 – June 2018)

The questions, and related answers, were considered during the discussion on each individual item.

In addition, Councillor Abdal Ullah, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC), provided an update on the Committee’s recent meetings.

He began by reporting on the recent call-in meeting examining the Mayor’s decision to go out to consultation on a proposal to close the remaining local authority day nurseries. He thanked the Mayor for considering the findings of the OSC and in adjusting his consultation in response.

He then provided an update on their regular meeting earlier in the week. He explained that they had discussed a number of issues and reports including:

·         A spotlight session on progress in Children’s Social Care.

·         Hearing from the Chair of the Local Children’s Safeguarding Board.

·         Reviewed the Statement of Licensing Policy.

·         Verbal updates from Scrutiny Leads on issues such as the medium term financial strategy, housing and health.

The Mayor thanked Councillor Abdal Ullah for his update.

Nil items.

The recommendations were amended and then agreed.

DECISION

1.    To agree to formally adopt the Strategic Plan

2.    To endorse the proposals for an improved outcome measure framework from 2019/20 onwards and the interim measures in the 2018/19 plan.

3.    To delegate authority to the Divisional Director, Strategy, Policy and Performance, following consultation with the Mayor, to make minor, non-material amendments to the Strategic Plan document.

Action by:

CHIEF EXECUTIVE (W. TUCKLEY)

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

(Head of Corporate Strategy and Policy (A. Hoque)

(Head of Intelligence and Performance (T. Dreyer)

The Mayor introduced the report setting out the Council’s Strategic Plan for 2018/19 to 2020/21. He highlighted a number of the key priorities that were set out in the plan including around house building, recycling and cleanliness. He noted that many of the commitments would require additional funding and so they could not all happen at once but would be spread out through the time period of the plan.

A number of Members spoke to welcome the plan and to highlight specific targets within it including:

·         Its robust approach to tackling hate crime and violence against women.

·         The emphasis on continuing to improve children’s social care.

·         Measures to engage young people in youth services, children’s centres and decision making.

·         Street cleaning and other environmental improvements.

·         The challenge of dealing with the roll-out of universal credit.

During discussion it was noted that an additional recommendation was needed to allow officers to make minor amendments to the Strategic Plan before the final version was published.

The Mayor thanked everyone for their contributions, agreed to the additional recommendation and then agreed the recommendations as amended.

RESOLVED

1.    To agree to formally adopt the Strategic Plan

2.    To endorse the proposals for an improved outcome measure framework from 2019/20 onwards and the interim measures in the 2018/19 plan.

3.    To delegate authority to the Divisional Director, Strategy, Policy and Performance, following consultation with the Mayor, to make minor, non-material amendments to the Strategic Plan document.

DECISION

1.    To approve the Tower Hamlets Plan 2018-23 (Appendix A to the report)

2.    To agree the proposed framework of delivery

Action by:

CHIEF EXECUTIVE (W. TUCKLEY)

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

The Mayor introduced the report. He explained that the Tower Hamlets Plan was jointly owned by the Council and its partners and would be overseen by the Tower Hamlets Partnership Executive.

It was noted that the Partnership had been fully engaged in creating the plan and related objectives and activities. Partnership Boards would ensure that everyone delivered on their agendas.

The Cabinet then heard from Ian Parkes (the Managing Director of the East London Business Alliance) and Simon Hall (Chief Executive of the Tower Hamlets Clinical Commissioning Group) who both welcomed the Plan and engaged in a discussion with Cabinet Members on some of the key priorities of the Plan such as those around child poverty, employment and education.

The Mayor thanked everyone for their contributions to the discussion and agreed the recommendations as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To approve the Tower Hamlets Plan 2018-23 (Appendix A to the report)

2.    To agree the proposed framework of delivery

DECISION

1.    To authorise the use of powers under Regulations 12, 13 and 14 of the Road Traffic (Vehicle Emissions) Fixed Penalty) (England) Regulations 2002 to enforce against drivers who allow their vehicle engines to run unnecessarily when parked anywhere in the borough.

2.    To delegate authority to Corporate Director, Place to authorise, Environmental Health staff, Tower Hamlets Enforcement Officers (THEOs) and Civil Enforcement Officers of the Council to make use of these powers to issue FPNs, and take legal proceedings for stationary engine idling offences.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)

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

(Team Leader, Pollution (M. Islam)

Councillor David Edgar, Cabinet Member for Environment, introduced the report. He highlighted the importance of tackling poor air quality in the Borough, particularly in relation to the health of young people. He stated that this was one useful action among a number that the Council will need to take to deal with air quality.

He explained that this would allow the Council to issue fixed penalty notices but that this would only be done if a driver refused to comply with a request to turn off their vehicle’s engine.

RESOLVED

1.    To authorise the use of powers under Regulations 12, 13 and 14 of the Road Traffic (Vehicle Emissions) Fixed Penalty) (England) Regulations 2002 to enforce against drivers who allow their vehicle engines to run unnecessarily when parked anywhere in the borough.

2.    To delegate authority to Corporate Director, Place to authorise, Environmental Health staff, Tower Hamlets Enforcement Officers (THEOs) and Civil Enforcement Officers of the Council to make use of these powers to issue FPNs, and take legal proceedings for stationary engine idling offences.

DECISION

1.    To approve the attached draft Social Value Framework (Appendix A to the report)

2.    To approve the further development of the Council’s social value work as set out at paragraph 3.16 of the report.          

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (Z. COOKE)

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

(Senior Strategy, Policy and Performance Officer (K. Okawa)

(Head of Procurement (Z. Ahmed)

The Mayor introduced the report on the Social Value Framework. He highlighted how it was designed to encourage businesses to think about how they could help the local economy.

He noted the pre-decision scrutiny questions and officers responses and he agreed the recommendations as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To approve the attached draft Social Value Framework (Appendix A to the report)

2.    To approve the further development of the Council’s social value work as set out at paragraph 3.16 of the report.          

DECISION

1.    To agree that officers should go out to consultation on Option 4 with all of the changes listed (as set out in Appendix 2 to the report).

2.    To note that officers will bring a report, setting out feedback from the consultation, back to the October Cabinet prior to a formal decision being taken.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (Z. COOKE)

(Benefits Policy and Procedures Manager (L. Fearon)

(Head of Benefits Service (S. Hill)

The Mayor introduced the report proposing a number of options for consultation on the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme. He noted the Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses.

Following discussion the Mayor agreed to go out to consultation on Option 4 with all of the changes as listed in the Appendix to the report.

RESOLVED

1.    To agree that officers should go out to consultation on Option 4 with all of the changes listed (as set out in Appendix 2 to the report).

2.    To note that officers will bring a report, setting out feedback from the consultation, back to the October Cabinet prior to a formal decision being taken.

DECISION

1.    To agree the revised criteria and guidance for public consultation

2.    To note the feedback from the consultation will be presented at the October Cabinet meeting

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (Z. COOKE)

(Head of Revenue Services (R. Jones)

The Mayor introduced the report proposing criteria for granting business rate relief. He noted that many businesses were struggling to meet the recent big increase in business rates and it was important for the Council to offer support where possible.

The Mayor agreed the recommendations as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To agree the revised criteria and guidance for public consultation.

2.    To note the feedback from the consultation will be presented at the October Cabinet meeting.

The recommendations were amended and then agreed.

DECISION

1.    To defer consideration of the report to allow time to receive additional legal advice in respect of the potential options for the site.

Action by:

ACTING CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)

(Acting Divisional Director, Property and Major Programmes (R. Chilcott)

The Mayor introduced the report proposing the disposal on a long lease of the site at 20 Alton Street. He noted the Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses.

Councillor Peter Golds, Ward Councillor for Island Gardens Ward, addressed Cabinet stating concerns that it was not appropriate, or potentially legal, for a Council to be providing a property in this way for the use of only one part of the community.

The Mayor noted the concerns and proposed to delay consideration of the report to allow for advice on those issues.

RESOLVED

1.    To defer consideration of the report to allow time to receive additional legal advice in respect of the potential options for the site.

DECISION

1     To agree the submission of the Statement of Licensing Policy to full Council for adoption.

2     To note that the proposed Statement of Licensing Policy will take effect from 1^st November 2018 until 31^st October 2023. The existing Statement of Licensing Policy will be rescinded on the 31^st October 2018.

Action by:

ACTING CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)

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

Councillor David Edgar, Cabinet Member for Environment, introduced the report on the Statement of Licensing Policy 2018-23. He explained that a consultation had taken place and a few changes were proposed to the policy to address particular concerns raised.  In relation to Cumulative Impact Zones (CIZs) it was noted that residents were generally happy with the policy but had questions about its implementation. A new CIZ was also being proposed for the Bethnal Green Area.

Councillor Peter Golds, a Licensing Committee Member, addressed Cabinet. He welcomed the report as a very robust policy with good proposals to tighten the current procedures where that was useful.

The Mayor welcomed the report and the comments received. He noted concerns around CIZs. He agreed the recommendations as set out.

RESOLVED

1     To agree the submission of the Statement of Licensing Policy to full Council for adoption.

2     To note that the proposed Statement of Licensing Policy will take effect from 1^st November 2018 until 31^st October 2023. The existing Statement of Licensing Policy will be rescinded on the 31^st October 2018.

DECISION

1.    To note the Council’s Outcomes Based Budgeting approach to prioritising resources over the MTFS from 2019-20 to 2021-22.

2.    To note the challenges and actions set out in this report that will inform the development of the Council’s MTFS for 2019-2022;

3.    To note the timescales and next steps for reviewing and consulting on budget proposals;

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (Z. COOKE)

(Divisional Director, Finance, Procurement and Audit (N. Murton)

The Mayor introduced the report on the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy. He noted that this specific report related to the budget setting process that would lead up to Council in February 2019.

He noted that there was a significant challenge facing the Council in relation to savings targets and that there was still uncertainty over a number of areas such as government announcements, social care precepts and decisions on issues such as the London pilot business rates retention scheme.

He agreed the recommendations as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the Council’s Outcomes Based Budgeting approach to prioritising resources over the MTFS from 2019-20 to 2021-22.

2.    To note the challenges and actions set out in this report that will inform the development of the Council’s MTFS for 2019-2022;

3.    To note the timescales and next steps for reviewing and consulting on budget proposals;

DECISION

1.            To note the Council’s projected outturn position against General Fund, Dedicated Schools Budget and HRA budgets agreed for 2018-19, based on information as at the end of June as detailed in the Appendices to the report.

2.            To note the summary savings position.

In respect of the Housing Capital Pipeline Schemes (Section 6 in Appendix 1 to the report)

3.            To approve the allocation of a capital budget of £131.4million for the period 2018 – 2024 to cover total project costs for schemes in Phase 2 of the Housing Capital Pipeline Programme, as set out in Appendix 1 Annex 4 to the report.

4.            To authorise the Corporate Director (Place), after consultation with the Corporate Director (Governance), to agree to proceed to award contracts and enter into any agreements required to implement recommendation 3. if so required, subject to tenders being within the approved capital budgets and progress the Housing Capital Pipeline Programme.

5.            To authorise the Corporate Director (Place) to submit bids for grant funding to funding bodies pursuant to any future national or regional grant or investment programme(s) for which the Phase 2 and 3 projects may be eligible if they conform to and support the Council’s objectives and values.

6.            To authorise the Corporate Director (Place) to commission viability work and detailed design and consultancy work to enable the submission of planning applications for the Phase 3 sites to be identified for the Pipeline Programme.

7.            To approve a capital estimate of £1.5m to enable the implementation of recommendation 6.

8.            To authorise the Corporate Director (Place) and the Corporate Director of Resources, in line with the Council’s Contract Standing Orders, to incur any necessary pre-construction expenditure, including the appointment of consultants and expenditure on related fees and site enabling works, related to sites within the Phase 2 and 3 pipeline programme to facilitate the preparation of planning applications and Invitations to Tender.

9.            To authorise the Corporate Director (Place)  to grant leases and Wayleave Agreements to statutory service providers in connection with the Phase 2 and 3 sites on behalf of the Council in its capacity as landowner and where required, to remove any third party rights of way in accordance with the statutory process.

In respect of the new capital scheme proposals (Sections 5 & 7 in Appendix 1 to the report)

10.         To approve the proposed schemes set out in Annex 1 and the feasibility studies set out in Annex 2 of the attached budget monitoring report.

11.         To adopt Capital Budgets of £3.1m and £1.0m respectively for the “Community Hubs” and “Maximising Health Infrastructure: Island Medical Centre Projects as set out in Section 7 of the appended budget monitoring report.

Action by:

THE CORPORATE LEADERSHIP TEAM

(Chief Accountant (K. Miles)

The Mayor introduced the report. He welcomed the accessible format of the new monitoring report and highlight the good news stories contained within it. He also noted that the report contained a number of recommendations in relation to capital expenditure for housing schemes. He noted the Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses.

During discussion a number of issues were raised including:

·         Clarity on the amount of money being spent on community housing and the number of homes in the pipeline.

·         The need to ensure retention of right to buy receipts.

·         The continued budgetary pressures on children’s services.

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

RESOLVED

1.            To note the Council’s projected outturn position against General Fund, Dedicated Schools Budget and HRA budgets agreed for 2018-19, based on information as at the end of June as detailed in the Appendices to the report.

2.            To note the summary savings position.

In respect of the Housing Capital Pipeline Schemes (Section 6 in Appendix 1 to the report)

3.            To approve the allocation of a capital budget of £131.4million for the period 2018 – 2024 to cover total project costs for schemes in Phase 2 of the Housing Capital Pipeline Programme, as set out in Appendix 1 Annex 4 to the report.

4.            To authorise the Corporate Director (Place), after consultation with the Corporate Director (Governance), to agree to proceed to award contracts and enter into any agreements required to implement recommendation 3. if so required, subject to tenders being within the approved capital budgets and progress the Housing Capital Pipeline Programme.

5.            To authorise the Corporate Director (Place) to submit bids for grant funding to funding bodies pursuant to any future national or regional grant or investment programme(s) for which the Phase 2 and 3 projects may be eligible if they conform to and support the Council’s objectives and values.

6.            To authorise the Corporate Director (Place) to commission viability work and detailed design and consultancy work to enable the submission of planning applications for the Phase 3 sites to be identified for the Pipeline Programme.

7.            To approve a capital estimate of £1.5m to enable the implementation of recommendation 6.

8.            To authorise the Corporate Director (Place) and the Corporate Director of Resources, in line with the Council’s Contract Standing Orders, to incur any necessary pre-construction expenditure, including the appointment of consultants and expenditure on related fees and site enabling works, related to sites within the Phase 2 and 3 pipeline programme to facilitate the preparation of planning applications and Invitations to Tender.

9.            To authorise the Corporate Director (Place)  to grant leases and Wayleave Agreements to statutory service providers in connection with the Phase 2 and 3 sites on behalf of the Council in its capacity as landowner and where required, to remove any third party rights of way in accordance with the statutory process.

In respect of the new capital scheme proposals (Sections 5 & 7 in Appendix 1 to the report)

10.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.10

Nil items.

Should 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.

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.

Nil items.