The questions which have been received from Councillors to be put at this Council meeting are set out in the attached report.  A maximum period of 30 minutes is allocated to this agenda item.

 

 

The following questions and in each case supplementary questions were put (except where indicated) and were responded to by the Mayor or relevant Executive Member.

 

11.1 Question from Councillor Gabriela Salva Macallan:

 

Recently the major US health insurance group Centene Corporation took over GP services provided by AT medics, affecting half a million patients, in what has been described as privatisation of the NHS by stealth. Can the Mayor or Cabinet Member provide an update on the impact in Tower Hamlets, and how this privatisation might impact our outstanding public health services which have worked so hard to keep our communities safe during the pandemic?

 

Response of Councillor Rachel Blake, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing:

 

We consider that this is a really important issue. At the heart of it, lies the question of how we govern the NHS and it’s accountability. We consider that this issue requires much more careful public scrutiny. Local residents should gain assurances from the Government about patient care. Above all, we believe that the NHS should remain in public hands and we are deeply concerned  that this is further evidence of privatisation by stealth.

 

No supplementary question was asked.

 

11.2 Question from Councillor Peter Golds

 

Will the Mayor provide an update and likely timetable regarding the rebuild of George Green’s Secondary School?

 

Response of Councillor Mufeedah Bustin, Cabinet Member for Planning and Social Inclusion - Lead on Social Inclusion:

 

I am pleased to confirm that we have secured funding for the following three new schools in the Borough. These are London Dock, Westferry School and the rebuild of the George Green’s Secondary School. Following the initial feasibility study, a design consultant was about to be appointed, with the aim of completing the rebuild of the school by August 2024, with an option of an accelerated or a phased programme, where possible, to open in September 2023. The Council have committed in total £51. 4 million to the school’s rebuild, which was a fantastic investment of infrastructure money on the Isle of Dogs.

 

Supplementary question from Councillor Peter Golds:

 

I am pleased that the work covered the three schools including the Westferry School development. Can you confirm whether the Council had exchanged leases for that school?

 

 

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin’s response to supplementary question:

 

I will find out and provide a written response to you.

 

11.3 Question from Councillor Sufia Alam

 

Can the Mayor or Cabinet Member tell us how we are supporting young people into work?

 

Response of Councillor Motin Uz-Zaman, Cabinet Member for Work and Economic Growth:

 

It is noted that the economic impact of the pandemic has had a huge impact on young people and families. The Council were working hard to make sure, that as the economy recovers, that we support young people into work. This was a top priority of the Mayor, myself and the Cabinet.

 

I can provide you with an example of this. In September 2020, the Work Path scheme, began the co-location of the Job Centre Plus to deliver Youth Hub Services, including Kick Start. So far, we have secured 576 Kick – Start placements for 16-24 year olds, on Universal Credit, with recruitment beginning last week. We hope to secure more placements and we have received tremendous support from businesses who would like to take part and will continue to do so.

 

No supplementary question was asked.

 

11.4 Question from Councillor Andrew Wood:

 

How much of the £4.8 billion that the government gave to the Mayor of London in grants to build new affordable homes between 2016 and 2023 as well as the £4 billion allocated 2021 to 2026 has been allocated to Tower Hamlets Council as well as housing association projects in Tower Hamlets?

 

Response of Councillor Danny Hassell, Cabinet Member for Housing:

 

The Council had a strong record in delivering new homes and a commitment to delivering 2000 new Council homes in the Borough.

 

£12.1 million of funding had been made available to the Council as part of the Building Homes for London Programme. A further £55million per unit had been made available, with an allocation of £11million to the Council, and other Local Authorities working on the Place scheme. This was a partnership initiative to deliver innovative modular homes. The GLA allocated this funding to registered providers across the whole development programme and not by Local Authority area. This is positive, but in recent years, there had been a steep decline in funding. Despite this, we have continued to honour our commitments. In the previous round of GLA funding, we have chosen to prioritise the use of right to buy receipts, so they are not lost. We are actively looking at our bid for the coming round.

 

No supplementary question was asked.

 

11.5 Question from Councillor Leema Qureshi:

 

Can the lead member tell us how we will prioritise tackling the climate emergency as we go through the recovery phase of the world pandemic?

 

Response of Councillor Asma Islam, Cabinet Member for Environment and Public Realm - Lead on Environment:

 

During the pandemic, the Council had continued to carry out a number of initiatives including:

 

• Our Residential Boiler Replacement Programme, which replaced 96 boilers, reducing cardon emissions by 70 tons.
• Providing 87 grants to SMEs, totalling £403,000 to help reduce cardon emissions, to reduce emissions by 198 tons.
• Grants to 26 schools, a total of £618,000, to reduce carbon emissions by 348 tons.
• Securing £721,000 of external funding, as part of the public sector decarbonisation scheme, for works to four Council buildings.
• Joining the GLA Solar Together Project to bring households together to support solar panel installations.
• Use of the Carbon Fund to deliver community led renewable energy projects.

 

These measures not only help reduce cardon emissions, they also help to support a range of new jobs and encourages the skills we need for a low carbon future.

 

As we emerge from the pandemic, creating new job opportunities is vital.

 

No supplementary question was asked.

 

11.6 Question from Councillor Shad Chowdhury

 

What support will the council provide small businesses in Spitalfields after Covid, for the Covid recovery?

 

Response of Councillor Motin Uz-Zaman, Cabinet Member for Work and Economic Growth:

 

Our vibrant local business sector will be a cornerstone of the recovery plans. The Council had worked tirelessly to help local small businesses including those in Spitalfields.  The Council had distributed over £200million in grant support, including rent relief, to businesses and market traders. This work has also involved exploring ways of helping tenants in our properties.

 

The Mayor has also made funding available to help local businesses undertake necessary adaptions and training.

 

No supplementary question was asked.

 

11.7 Question from Councillor Bex White:

 

What is the Council doing to minimise plastic waste in the Borough, and how is it working in partnership with other local organisations to do this?

 

Response of Councillor Asma Islam, Cabinet Member for Environment and Public Realm - Lead on Environment: 

 

As highlighted during the previous debate, I can confirm that this remains a key priority for us. We engage in a number of activities with partners with the aim of promoting sustainable living practices.

 

For example we have:

 

·       Participated in the reusable shopping bag campaign and have carried out workshops regarding single use plastics items.

·       Carried out a reusable cup pilot with high street teams.

·       Worked to encourage businesses to take part in the National Refill Campaign.

·       Put in place measures to phase out single use plastic at the Town Hall and other Council buildings. Staff have been encouraged to use reusable water bottles and lunch containers.

 

It is noted that a lot of initiatives have had to be put on pause at the moment, However, work would recommence when the restrictions were eased.

 

No supplementary question was asked.

 

11.8 Question from Councillor Tarik Khan:

 

What role will sports play in the Covid recovery for young people, and will there be any funding allocated for this?

 

Response of Councillor Sabina Akhtar, Cabinet Member for Culture, Arts and Brexit:

 

Sports services and activities had been affected by the pandemic and the regulations. However, with the lifting of restrictions, outdoor sports will be permitted from 29^th March. In light of this, we look forward to providing outdoor and adventure based activities for schools and young people.  We are also keen to ensure the continued provision of the Duke of Edinburgh programme on line, with options for limited direct delivery, subject to the guidance.

 

In addition, the Mayor has recently announced a £3 million Covid Recovery Plan. We are currently looking at what  sort of projects this could support. This could include funding for sports and activities for families and young people. I would be grateful to hear your views on this.

 

Supplementary question from Councillor Tarik Khan

 

Will the Lead Member commit to a meeting to discuss the delivery of a sports recovery programme for young people?

 

Councillor Sabina Akhtar’s response to supplementary question:

 

Yes - as well our plans for the Summer Activity programme.

 

No supplementary question was asked.

 

11.9 Question from Councillor Amina Ali:

 

What are we doing to support foodbanks in the borough, which have provided such an important lifeline during the pandemic?

 

Response of Councillor, Mufeedah Bustin, Cabinet Member for Planning and Social Inclusion - Lead on Social Inclusion:

 

Yes, the Council remains committed to reducing food poverty. In June the Council set up a food hub to support Voluntary and Community Sector organisations, covering existing food banks and those who had set up food support in response to the pandemic.  Our Hub had received a lot of donations, from food redistribution charities and corporate and local organisations.  In addition to this, the Council had been purchasing additional food and items through the Covid Winter Grant, which we deliver through our partners on a weekly basis. From June 2020 to February 2021, the Council had sorted and delivered 400 tons of food to support approximately 20,000 residents per week.  We have also supported organisations to raise funds through our Space Hive page. We have also put grant providers and companies offering one off donations of food in direct contact with appropriate organisations.

 

I wish to thank the Council’s Tackling Poverty Team and VCS organisations for their hard work during this year. We need a Government that ensures our residents are protected by an adequate safety net and not the kindness of strangers.

 

No supplementary question was asked.

 

11.10 Question from Councillor Ehtasham Haque:

 

Can the residents of the Isle of Dogs have absolute assurances that the historical Cubitt Town Library will not be closed and will always be protected as a community asset and continue to serve the residents of the Isle of Dogs?

 

 

 

 

Response of Councillor Sabina Akhtar, Cabinet Member for Culture, Arts and Brexit:

 

Thank you for all your input on this issue. Members will be aware of the scale of the financial challenges facing the Council and the need to make significant savings and to prioritise such measures as the Council Tax Reduction Scheme. We are mindful of the strong public feedback about the future of libraries and Ideas Stores. The Cabinet had agreed to retain a 5 day opening schedule at the Cubitt Town and Bethnal Green Libraries and the Watney Market Idea Store. Our commitment is to protect Cubitt Town Library until such a time that an alternative library or Idea Store opened in the Crossharbour development site. I believe this is the right outcome and it shows that we listen to feedback. I note that the Conservative and Liberal Democrat Councillors had campaigned on this, but it was the Coalition Government that kick started the austerity measures and caused libraries to close.

 

Supplementary question from Councillor Ehtasham Haque

 

What action does the Council intend to take to prevent the Library from facing cuts, given the strong reaction from the public and the need to preserve it as a public asset?

 

Councillor Sabina Akhtar’s response to supplementary question:

 

The Council were looking at ways of working with community organisations to ensure the continued provision of a community use and a Library. We remain committed to continue to work with the community.

.

11.12 Question from Councillor David Edgar:

 

The government has launched an independent review of children's social care. Will the council be making a response to the review?

 

Response of Councillor Asma Begum Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Children, Youth Services and Education:

 

Yes, I can confirm that we do intend to submit a response. This is with a view to ensuring that the response focuses on how the National Framework could help us with meeting the needs of children and young people in Tower Hamlets. We believe in every chance for every child and are committed to improving the care and quality of life of children in the Borough

 

Supplementary question from Councillor David Edgar

 

Can you ensure that this issue is discussed at the Children in Care Council and the Corporate Parenting Board?

 

Councillor Asma Begum’s response to supplementary question:

 

Yes we will ensure that.

 

11.13 Question from Councillor Kyrsten Perry

 

Will the council continue to lobby national government to fully resolve the fire cladding issue which currently leaves many residents in limbo?

 

Response of Councillor, Eve McQuillan, Cabinet Member for Planning and Social Inclusion - Lead on Planning:

 

The Mayor and the Council have raised the concerns of residents regarding fire safety issues and cladding with the Minster of Housing, Communities and Local Government  and the  Greater London Authority. We meet regularly and will continue to do so.

 

The Mayor and Officers have met with the residents and landlords from various housing blocks and raised the issues with the Government Department and the relevant Minister.  We have also backed the national ‘End Our Cladding Scandal Campaign’ and remain committed to lobbying on this issue. This issue continues to be a key concern for us, as the Borough with the largest number of buildings affected. Leaseholders have been left with an uncertain future and with unsaleable or un - mortgageable homes. The Government’s funding announcements do not go far enough and saddle residents with debts.

 

We are very concerned that the Government had still not implemented the Grenfell Enquiry recommendations, over three years after the tragic fire. 

 

No supplementary question was asked

 

Question 11.11 was not put due to the absence of the questioner. Questions 11.14 -11.19 were not put due to lack of time.  A written response would be provided to these questions. (Note the written responses are included in Appendix A to these minutes)