There were none.

Members are reminded to consider the categories of interest, identified in the Code of Conduct for Members to determine; whether they have an interest in any agenda item and any action they should take. For further details, see the attached note from the Monitoring Officer.

Members are also reminded to declare the nature of the interest at the earliest opportunity and the agenda item it relates to. Please note that ultimately it is the Members’ responsibility to identify any interests and also update their register of interests form as required by the Code.

If in doubt as to the nature of an interest, you are advised to seek advice prior to the meeting by contacting the Monitoring Officer or Democratic Services.

Councillors Shafi Ahmed, Abu Chowdhury, Kamrul Hussain and Abdul Wahid declared non-pecuniary interests in Items 6.2 and 6.3, as leaseholders of properties in the Council’s housing stock.

The unrestricted minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 16 October 2024 are presented for approval.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the unrestricted minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday 16 October be approved and signed by the Mayor as a correct record of proceedings.

The Chief Executive announced:

·         A report on the recent BVI inspection report would be brought to the next Cabinet meeting.

·         Civic Awards nominations were now open.

·         Recent Council successes and awards received.

The Mayor announced:

·         White Ribbon Day. The Council had the Town Hall lit up orange and launched 16 days of campaigning and events

·         November was Islamophobia Awareness Month, and last week the building was lit up green. Over 100 people attended a conference on tackling Islamophobia.

The Mayor announced the following Council service activity updates.

·         A new Tower Hamlets Winter Fuel Payment,

·         a new campaign: Credit Where Credit Is Due in partnership with community groups to ensure pensioners can unlock support they are entitled to

·         launch of Warm Hubs at Idea Stores and libraries

·         a motion at full Council instructed officers to explore reintroduction of the Meals on Wheels scheme and elderly luncheon clubs

·         three new youth centres opened, in Bigland Green, and Christian Street, and in Bromley-by-Bow,

·         reduced carbon emissions by 19% in one year, driven by the increased energy efficiency in the Town Hall. 

·         Work to create the borough’s first ever grass cricket pitch and cricket square had begun at Victoria Park.

·         £1.5miloion of additional funding to be invested in leisure facilities as part of the council’s commitment to support healthier communities, adding to previous investments of over £4.8 million to upgrade leisure facilities.   

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 Asma Islam provided her first contribution to a Cabinet meeting as newly appointed Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC). Councillor Islam expressed her views on how the executive and scrutiny could better work together. She explained she viewed her role as an opportunity to reset working relationships and address the need for cultural change and approach key scrutiny issues in a unified, constructive, and non-political manner.

Councillor Islam also provided an overview of recent scrutiny activity, including:

The Chief Executive’s Spotlight focussed on the findings of the Best Value Inspection. The Committee was pleased to hear that the response to the findings of this report will be addressed in an Improvement Plan which will be coproduced with scrutiny and other Council committees. The Spotlight had also

·         discussed concerns over Executive involvement in property transactions;

·         questioned the development of the new Housing Cabinet Sub-Committee,  how it will operate, what powers it will have and how it differs from other committees; and

·         the Committee did not have opportunity to discuss the progress of the Women’s Commission.

The meeting had also

·         held a spotlight on the Waste improvement programme.

·         considered the draft Scrutiny Executive Protocol. OSC members felt more work is required to reflect some of the issues in the Best Value Inspection report.

(Under provisions of Section 30, Rule 59 of the Constitution).

None.

None.

Pre-decision scrutiny questions were noted.

DECISION

1.    Note the progress made in respect of the Youth Service roll out.

2.    Provide agreement to continue to roll out line with the implementation plan.

Action by:

Corporate Director Childrens Services (S. Reddy)

Interim Director of Youth Services (S. Rahman)

Pre-decision scrutiny questions were noted.

Councillor Maium Talukdar, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Education, Youth and Lifelong Learning introduced the report that provided an update in respect of the progress made with the youth service transformation. Councillor Talukdar summarised what had been achieved to date around the implementation of the Young Tower Hamlets delivery model, mobilisation of the new youth service offer and the priorities over the coming months as well as governance oversight, budget and risks.

Shafiur Rahman, Director of Commissioning and Youth, provided further details. Shafiur provided an overview of the major milestones completed in the launch of the service, including design of a new staffing model, recruitment, grant applications and funding secured, communications activity including social media promotion, independent accreditation and creation of a new quality assurance framework. Shafiur also provided information on how the new KPIs for the service would work and how the service would provide for young people with additional needs, including SEND users.

Cabinet welcomed the report and asked that, in addition to social media platforms, officers exploit traditional engagement methods, to maximise the reach of communications activity. They also asked that local employment be promoted as a key outcome of the new service.

The Mayor welcomed the report. He expressed hope Young Tower Hamlets would ensure all local young people had the support and opportunities they needed to be successful adults. He asked that provision include a strong focus on academic performance, to include partnership with schools to secure mentoring opportunities, and provision of safe spaces for homework. As with the wider Council, the Mayor stressed the workforce should reflect the community.

RESOLVED that the Mayor in Cabinet:

1. Noted the progress made in respect of the Youth Service roll out.

2. Agreed to continue to roll out line with the implementation plan.

Pre-decision scrutiny questions and responses were noted. The Mayor advised that a response on pre-decision scrutiny question 4 would follow.

DECISION

1.    Note the decision taken by The Chief Executive to self-refer to the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) and endorse this decision.

2.    Approve the establishment of a Housing Management Sub Committee of Cabinet to oversee the council’s housing management service in relation to performance, compliance and assure the delivery of the Regulatory Assurance Action Plan.

3.    Note the proposed Terms of Reference for the Housing Sub Committee of Cabinet as set out in Appendix 1 and delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Housing and Regeneration in consultation with the Mayor to finalise the Terms of Reference.

4.    Agree the Regulatory Assurance Action Plan at Appendix 2.

5.    Delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Housing and Regeneration, in consultation with the Mayor & Lead Member of Housing to agree the final Regulatory Assurance Action Plan following RSH comments.

Action by

Corporate Director of Housing and Regeneration (D. Joyce)

Interim Head of Regulatory Assurance (D. Reynolds)

Pre-decision scrutiny questions and responses were noted. The Mayor advised that a response on pre-decision scrutiny question 4 would follow.

The Mayor noted the questions submitted by Councillor Sirajul Islam in relation to this report. He advised Councillor Islam would receive written replies to the questions.

Councillor Kabir Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Inclusive Development and Housebuilding, introduced the report that summarised the council’s compliance position against the Regulator of Social Housing’s Consumer Standards, focusing on areas of breach and potential breach which informed the self-referral and presented the Regulatory Assurance Action Plan address areas of non-compliance and service improvement; a proposal to establish a new Housing Management Cabinet Sub Committee to strengthen the governance around the Council’s housing management service and assure the delivery of the Regulatory Assurance Action Plan; and proposed additional Council resources to deliver the improvements.

The Cabinet discussed the rationale for the recent decision of the Chief Executive to self-refer the Council to the housing regulator, including the next steps and inspection process. It was noted that feedback from the regulator thus far had been positive. Members indicated the Council should ensure a strong communications message to counter any misconceptions or scaremongering from the self-referral.

The Mayor welcomed this approach and the opportunity for an independent health check of the performance of the Council’s housing services. The Mayor expressed disappointment in the performance of the repairs service in the past and asked officers to take steps to improve contractor performance and contract management. 

RESOLVED that the Mayor in Cabinet:

1. Noted the decision taken by The Chief Executive to self-refer to the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) and endorse this decision.

2. Approved the establishment of a Housing Management Sub Committee of Cabinet to oversee the council’s housing management service in relation to performance, compliance and assure the delivery of the Regulatory Assurance Action Plan.

3. Noted the proposed Terms of Reference for the Housing Sub Committee of Cabinet as set out in Appendix 1 to the report and delegated authority to the Corporate Director of Housing and Regeneration in consultation with the Mayor to finalise the Terms of Reference.

4. Agreed the Regulatory Assurance Action Plan at Appendix 2 to the report.

5. Delegated authority to the Corporate Director of Housing and Regeneration, in consultation with the Mayor & Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Inclusive Development and Housebuilding to agree the final Regulatory Assurance Action Plan following RSH comments.

Pre-decision scrutiny questions and responses were noted.

DECISION

1.    Approve the Council’s Tenant & Leaseholder Engagement Strategy (Appendix 1 to the report)

2.    To note the Equalities Impact Assessment (Appendix to the report.) and specific equalities considerations as set out in Paragraph 4.1 of the report.

3.    To note the actions within the Regulatory Assurance Action plan (Appendix 4 to the report) which support the delivery of this Strategy.

Action by

Corporate Director of Housing and Regeneration (D. Joyce)

Interim Head of Regulatory Assurance (D. Reynolds)

Pre-decision scrutiny questions were noted.

Councillor Kabir Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Inclusive Development and Housebuilding, introduced the report that set out the legislative and regulatory requirements of social housing landlords to proactively engage with their tenants and leaseholders and proposed an engagement strategy that offered a menu of engagement opportunities between tenants, leaseholders and the Council.

The Mayor welcomed the Strategy and asked that the final version include a written foreword from himself.

RESOLVED that the Mayor in Cabinet:

1.    Approved the Council’s Tenant & Leaseholder Engagement Strategy (Appendix 1 to the report)

2.    Noted the Equalities Impact Assessment (Appendix to the report.) and specific equalities considerations as set out in Paragraph 4.1 of the report.

3.    Noted the actions within the Regulatory Assurance Action plan (Appendix 4 to the report) which support the delivery of the Strategy.

Pre-decision scrutiny questions and responses were noted.

DECISION

1.    Approve the council’s new Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2024-2029 and the Delivery Plan which underpins the priorities of the new strategy.

2.    To note the outcome of the consultation and how it has been used to

shape the priorities of the new strategy.

3.    To note the Equalities Impact Assessment as summarised in Section 4 of this report.

Action by

Corporate Director Housing and Regeneration (D. Joyce)

Director of Housing (K. Swift)

Pre-decision scrutiny questions were noted.

Councillor Kabir Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Inclusive Development and Housebuilding introduced the report that reported the review of homelessness in LBTH and proposed a homelessness and rough sleeping strategy based on the results.

The Mayor welcomed the Strategy and expressed thanks to all officers and Members involved in its development.  

RESOLVED that the Mayor in Cabinet:

1.    Approved the council’s new Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2024-2029 and the Delivery Plan which underpins the priorities of the new strategy.

2.    Noted the outcome of the consultation and how it has been used to shape the priorities of the new strategy.

3.    Noted the Equalities Impact Assessment as summarised in Section 4 of the report.

DECISION

1.    Note the local strategic priorities set out for the Tower Hamlets’ Combating Drugs Partnership (CDP) in the CDP Substance Misuse strategy and confirm Tower Hamlets Council’s adoption of the strategy and delivery plan

Action by:

Corporate Director Adult Social Care (G. Chimbani)

Strategy and Policy Lead (A. Price)

Councillor Abu Chowdhury, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities) introduced the report that proposed a new Substance Misuse Combating Drugs Partnership Strategy. Councillor  Chowdhury explained  the agreed local priorities for the partnership for 2024 to 2027 under the 3 national pillars set out as a result of the government’s 10 year drug strategy, From Harm to Hope.

The Mayor welcomed the Strategy and expressed thanks to all officers and Members involved in its development.  

RESOLVED that the Mayor in Cabinet:

1.    Noted the local strategic priorities set out for the Tower Hamlets’ Combating Drugs Partnership (CDP) in the CDP Substance Misuse strategy and confirm Tower Hamlets Council’s adoption of the strategy and delivery plan.

DECISION

1.    Approve the Children and Education Scrutiny Subgroup Committee Child Healthy Weight Recommendations and Action Plan.

2.    Note the specific equalities considerations as set out in Paragraph 4 of the report.

Action by:

Corporate Director Childrens Services (S. Reddy)

Acting Associate Director of Public Health (M. Quinn)

Councillor Maium Talukdar, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Education, Youth and Lifelong Learning introduced the report that, following a Scrutiny Challenge Session held in November 2023, proposed an action plan to address eight recommendations focused on food, physical activity, and the psychological and cultural aspects of healthy living. The recommendations included improving Free School Meal access, engaging youth services, and addressing the needs of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Further to recommendation 3, ‘Ensure children are engaged in food production from growing to cooking to eating, for example by co-ordinating work across schools and sharing best practice from the Healthy Families Programme’ the Cabinet member for Environment and the Climate Emergency noted that the Council’s Climate Team were working on various food waste and composting initiatives would have benefits to the climate and local residents. He asked these initiatives are included in the action plan. 

The Mayor endorsed the contribution from the Cabinet member for Environment and the Climate Emergency and welcomed the action plan, implementation

of which officers confirmed would have no additional financial implications. 

RESOLVED that the Mayor in Cabinet:

1. Approved the Children and Education Scrutiny Subgroup Committee Child Healthy Weight Recommendations and Action Plan.

2. Noted the specific equalities considerations as set out in Paragraph 4 of the report.

DECISION

1.    Consider the Health and Adults Scrutiny Sub-Committee’s Review Report (Appendix 1 to the report) on Empowering Disabled Residents: Accessible Sports and Fitness Initiatives.

2.    Agree the Service Action Plan (Appendix 2 to the report) in response to the scrutiny report recommendations.

Action by:

Corporate Director Communities (S. Baxter)

Head of Leisure Operations (S. Jones)

Councillor Kamrul Hussain, Cabinet Member for Culture and Recreation introduced the report that proposed the Executive’s response to Health and Adults Scrutiny Sub-Committee recommendations on Empowering Disabled Residents: Accessible Sports and Fitness Initiatives published on the 4th June 2024.

The Mayor welcomed the action plan, implementation of which officers confirmed would have no additional financial implications. 

RESOLVED that the Mayor in Cabinet:

1. Noted the Health and Adults Scrutiny Sub-Committee’s Review Report (Appendix 1 to the report) on Empowering Disabled Residents: Accessible Sports and Fitness Initiatives.

2. Agreed the Service Action Plan (Appendix 2 to the report) in response to the scrutiny report recommendations.

DECISION

That the Mayor in Cabinet notes:

1.    the factors influencing pupil population change in Tower Hamlets;

2.    the current position on the provision of school places in the borough;

3.    the projected demand for school places in future years;

4.    the steps being taken to manage the sufficiency and sustainability of school places in accordance with the council’s school organisation strategy.

5.    latest position on SEND, current provision and sufficiency planning;

6.    the specific equalities considerations as set out in Paragraph 5 of the report.

Action by;

Corporate Director Childrens Services  (S. Reddy)

Director of Education (L. Fraser)

Councillor Maium Talukdar, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Education, Youth and Lifelong Learning introduced the report that presented the annual review of the council’s planning for school places. It informed the Mayor in cabinet on the latest position and key factors influencing the borough’s pupil population change and the impact on projected pupil numbers for Tower Hamlets schools. Councillor Talukdar explained the steps being taken to manage the sufficiency and sustainability of mainstream school places, alongside the medium to longer term delivery of places for children and young people with SEND.

The Mayor welcomed the report. Cabinet members indicated hope that the proposals would help to address a lack of primary school provision in some areas of the borough.

RESOLVED that the Mayor in Cabinet noted:

1.    the factors influencing pupil population change in Tower Hamlets;

2.    the current position on the provision of school places in the borough;

3.    the projected demand for school places in future years;

4.    the steps being taken to manage the sufficiency and sustainability of school places in accordance with the council’s school organisation strategy.

5.    latest position on SEND, current provision and sufficiency planning;

6.    the specific equalities considerations as set out in Paragraph 5 of the report.

DECISION

1.    Approve the proposal from the Governing Body of Stepney Greencoat CE Primary to a permanent change of age range by adding a nursery provision as detailed in the report.

Action by;

Corporate Director Childrens Services  (S. Reddy)

Director of Education (L. Fraser)

Councillor Maium Talukdar, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Education, Youth and Lifelong Learning introduced the report that presented recommendations for Cabinet to agree to the proposal from the Governing Body of Stepney Greencoat CE Primary to a permanent change of age range by adding a nursery provision.

Councillor Maium Talukdar reported that consultation had revealed broad support for the proposal from parents and other key stakeholders. Cabinet members welcomed the proposal which they felt demonstrated the Council’s commitment to early learning provision.

The Mayor welcomed the report and asked that an appropriate communications plan be developed to acknowledge and promote the additional provision.

RESOLVED that the Mayor in Cabinet:

1.    Approved the proposal from the Governing Body of Stepney Greencoat CE Primary to a permanent change of age range by adding a nursery provision as detailed in the report.

DECISION

1.    Defer the decision on the redesignation of the Roman Road Bow Neighbourhood Forum as the designated neighbourhood forum for the Roman Road Bow Neighbourhood Planning Area, pending resolution of concerns regarding community representation on the Neighbourhood Forum’s membership and management committee.

2.    Delegate authority to the Corporate Director Housing and Regeneration, in consultation with the Lead Member and Mayor, to determine the redesignation application.

Action by:

Corporate Director Housing and Regeneration (D. Joyce)

Planning Officer (M. Acton-Filion)

The Mayor and the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Inclusive Development and Housebuilding indicated they wished to defer consideration of the neighbourhood forum redesignation application pending resolution of outstanding concerns regarding a lack of community representation on the Forum and in particular its management committee. The Mayor noted in-principle agreement to the application, subject to satisfactory resolution of these concerns.

Officers provided detail on the implications of delaying the decision including the relevant statutory timescales. The Chief Executive indicated the decision to defer represented a risk to the Council he wished to minimise and accordingly asked that the provision of relevant information and/or further engagement with the forum to resolve the aforementioned concerns be progressed within the next working day. The Mayor indicated he was agreeable to authorising the Corporate Director of Housing and Regeneration to take the final decision on the application, following consultation with himself.

RESOLVED that the Mayor in Cabinet:

1. Deferred the decision on the redesignation of the Roman Road Bow Neighbourhood Forum as the designated neighbourhood forum for the Roman Road Bow Neighbourhood Planning Area, pending resolution of concerns regarding community representation on the Neighbourhood Forum’s membership and management committee.

2. Delegated authority to the Corporate Director Housing and Regeneration, in consultation with the Lead Member and Mayor, to determine the redesignation application.

DECISION

1.    Continue the Council’s participation in the 8 Authority Pool for Business Rates with seven other London Local Authorities for 2025-26.

2.    Provide delegated authority to the Corporate Director of Resources in consultation with the Mayor and Cabinet Member for Resources and Cost of Living to agree membership of the business rates pool in future years.

Action by:

Corporate Director Resources (J. Lorraine)

Director of Finance, Procurement & Audit (A. Kassim)

Councillor Saied Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Resources and the Cost of Living, introduced the report that proposed the Council continue membership of the business rates pool in 2025/26.

The Mayor welcomed the report and agreed the inclusion of the delegation of authority to the Corporate Director to approve continuation of membership of the business rates pool in future years.

RESOLVED that the Mayor in Cabinet:

1. Continued the Council’s participation in the 8 Authority Pool for Business Rates with seven other London Local Authorities for 2025-26.

2. Delegated authority to the Corporate Director of Resources in consultation with the Mayor and Cabinet Member for Resources and Cost of Living to agree membership of the business rates pool in future years.

Reasons for urgency were noted and agreed.

DECISION

1.    Note the Be Well leisure facility improvement project proposals and feasibilities for 2025/26 to 2027/28 as summarised in Appendix 1 to the report and detailed in Appendix 2 to the report.

2.    Note the anticipated outcomes and impact of the proposals in terms of income generation alongside the wider benefits in terms of supporting targeted customer engagement customers and new customers, enhancing customer experience, and providing a new service offer.

3.    Note that the project proposals have been presented as a Project Initiation Document (PID) for consideration in accordance with the council’s capital programme governance process.

4.    Approve an addition £1.504 million capital funding for 2024/25 for projects across all leisure facilities as shown in Appendix 1 to the report.

5.    Agree to the development of options appraisals and feasibility studies for the provision of sauna and steam facilities at Poplar Baths and Tiller Leisure Centres and delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Mayor, to agree additional capital funding.

Action by:

Corporate Director Communities (S. Baxter)

Head of Leisure Operations (S. Jones)

The Mayor noted and agreed the reasons for urgency as set out in the report.

Councillor Kamrul Hussain, Cabinet Member for Culture and Recreation

Introduced the report that detailed a series of capital project feasibilities and proposals for investment in the Be Well leisure facilities following the insourcing of the service on 1st May 2024.

Officers added further context including income projections, summary of the feasibility studied for each proposal and anticipated timescales for delivery.

The Mayor asked that, in addition to the proposals set out in the report, provision of sauna and steam facilities should be included for Poplar Baths and Tiller Leisure Centres. Accordingly, he asked that development of options appraisals and feasibility studies for their provision be progressed and delegated authority to the Chief Executive to provide the necessary capital funding for delivery.

The Mayor also asked that an appropriate communications campaign is prepared for the Be Well proposals, to include explanation of how the Council would minimise disruption to residents during works.

RESOLVED that the Mayor in Cabinet:

1. Noted the Be Well leisure facility improvement project proposals and feasibilities for 2025/26 to 2027/28 as summarised in Appendix 1 to the report and detailed in Appendix 2 to the report.

2. Noted the anticipated outcomes and impact of the proposals in terms of income generation alongside the wider benefits in terms of supporting targeted customer engagement customers and new customers, enhancing customer experience, and providing a new service offer.

3. Noted that the project proposals have been presented as a Project Initiation Document (PID) for consideration in accordance with the council’s capital programme governance process.

4. Approved an addition £1.504 million capital funding for 2024/25 for projects across all leisure facilities as shown in Appendix 1 to the report.

5. Agreed to the development of options appraisals and feasibility studies for the provision of sauna and steam facilities at Poplar Baths and Tiller Leisure Centres and delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Mayor, to agree additional capital funding.

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.

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.

(Under provisions of Section 30, Rule 59 of the Constitution).

Nil items.

Nil items.