The Committee will receive a presentation from the Executive Mayor John Biggs’s on his priorities.

The Chair introduced the main substantive item this evening that will focus on the Mayor’s Spotlight.

He (i) thanked the Executive Mayor John Biggs and the Chief Executive Will Tuckley for, attending this evenings meeting; and (ii) indicated that that the Committee wished to understand:

v  Council’s Response to Covid-19.

v  Pandemic Recovery Priorities; and

v  Achievements of this past year and any Non Covid challenges and situations for Tower Hamlets.

The key themes arising from the questioning on the presentation may be summarised as follows:

The Committee:

v  Enquired what the Council and its partners would be doing to address residents’ concerns (i) following the murder investigations that are underway following fatal stabbings in Poplar and Canning Town; and (ii) in regard to addressing the high incidence anti-social behaviour in Tower Hamlets.

v  Noted that as a consequence of these fatal stabbings a section 60 notice had been issued.

v  Noted that whilst police-recorded crime had seen its biggest annual decrease since 2010 with robbery and theft having dropped dramatically during 2020 as  people have not been in as many situations where they felt they had to pull a knife or a gun because people have not been gathering at places like they used to before lockdown, but with restrictions being lifted there are concerns of a spike in knife and gun crime as venues re-open and groups begin to mix again in public places - increasing the potential for conflict.

v  Noted that there are two types of people who tend to carry weapons – criminals for threats and their protection because of their lifestyle choices and young people who believe that every other young person is carrying a knife.  The police can tackle the first group by concentrating on organised gang crime, but a lot needs to be done to help the young people change their mindset so that they realise that not everyone carries a knife despite what they are led to believe.

v  Was advised that the recent stabbings in Poplar and Canning Town have led to a renewed focus on knife crime and how to reduce it.  One power available to the Police Service being a Section 60 notice and understood that a significant percentage of older people in the Borough feel if its use means that lives can be saved, then these residents feel it is a very good thing.

v  Noted the increased activity of local policing teams in the Bethnal Green; Spitalfields and Whitechapel wards these officers are made up of officers based in the area, supported by additional officers from the wider area who are working closely with LBTH, organisations, partners to address local problems.

v  Was pleased to be informed about the crackdown on antisocial behaviour including the use of nitrous oxide, with police officers undertaking foot patrols and the Council’s Trading Standards Officers  working with the police and residents to tackle retail outlets that sell gas to people who misuse it.  In addition, it was noted that residents can report discarded canisters so the Council can clean them up. Whilst residents can also report retail outlets selling nitrous oxide to  Trading Standards.

v  Noted the Isle of Dogs programme that aims to provide centre-based and detached community outreach through mentoring, courses providing qualifications and other support tailored to meet the needs of young people on the Island.

v  Welcomed the Mayors offer to attend future Scrutiny meetings to ensure in a consistent and objective scrutiny of the work being done to add social value by contributing to the long-term wellbeing and resilience of residents, communities, and the Borough.

v  Noted that the Council is looking closely at the wider financial and non-financial value through its day to day activities in terms of the wellbeing of individuals and communities, social capital created and the environment e.g. to look beyond the financial cost of a contract and consider how the services commissioned and procurement can improve the economic, social and environmental well-being of Tower Hamlets. As the Council is becoming increasingly financially self-reliant, it has considered how to make its limited resources go ever further while still maintaining the quality and breadth of services. As such, it can be seen as a complementary activity to other strategies such as crime reduction.

v  Commented that there are a range of entrenched social problems that the Council has to address, including children in care, homelessness, youth unemployment or long-term health issues. The traditional models have failed to deliver the results needed to make inroads with these issues. Therefore, the Council is looking at Social Impact Bonds (SIBs) bring together the public, private and voluntary sectors to solve these challenges by having a clear and relentless focus upon delivering the desired outcomes and to make funding for services conditional on achieving results. Social Investors pay for the project at the start, and then receive payments based on the results achieved by the project.  Therefore it would be logical for such Social Investors to be invite to scrutiny meetings to provide an opportunity for such projects to be subject to wider scrutiny.

v  Commented that it was important to invest in community sport and that physical activity plays an important role in boosting the local economy and will provide an opportunity to help level up inequalities within the Borough, and build a healthier, happier, and more prosperous Tower Hamlets.

v  Noted the anxieties of communities in regard to the Liveable Street Scheme which aims of the Scheme to produce safe streets, vibrant public spaces that connect people to the places where they live, work, but some residents feel that it may actually divide neighbourhoods, communities, and people.  It was felt that a more transparent approach was needed around the consultations on the proposals to introduce such schemes e.g. all residents should have a have a say in decisions that affect their communities.

v  Commented that 2020-21 has seen an unprecedented and unforeseen growth in the digital and e-commerce sectors, which have been beneficial for council services.  However, some have not capitalized on pandemic-induced shift to digital platforms due to persistent barriers.

v  Noted that people may be digitally excluded for multiple reasons, including not having access to the required infrastructure and/or devices, lack of skills, or lack of motivation to use technology.

v  Commented that the main factors that influence the digital divide in London include age, region, socioeconomic status and whether a person has a disability.

v  Indicated that there have been particular concerns raised about the digital divide during the Covid-19 pandemic, as people have been more reliant on the internet to access services and health information and socialise with friends and family.

v  Was concerned that digital exclusion may make it more difficult for adults to access support services, medical appointments, and welfare activities. Also those adults who do not have sufficient internet safety skills may be at higher risk of online harms such as misinformation, fraud, and computer viruses. In addition, digitally excluded people may not be able to use contact tracing apps and may experience negative health impacts. Therefore, finding ways to address the digital divide in the Borough has never been more important. As families that are unable to access the internet find themselves cut off from access to services, advice, and information, contact with loved ones and in the context of the pandemic, crucial education resources for their children.

v  Noted that school closures and absences during COVID-19 have necessitated home-schooling and online distance learning. However, as not all children have access to the devices and internet connections they need support for remote schooling. Therefore, the Council is working with partner agencies to provide devices, good quality internet connection and training for parents. The aim being to prevent children with poor access to online learning falling further behind as home-schooling continues during the pandemic.

v  Commented that Tower Hamlets has a very diverse population, and this is one of the Borough’s strengths and it means that the Council needs to be at the forefront of the equality agenda. The Council has an integral role advancing equality of opportunity, fostering good community relations, and eliminating unlawful discrimination and harassment. It also has a key role in enabling those who are disadvantaged to reach their full potential. Therefore, it was important to really look at and reflect on what is being done to accelerate the  pace and scale of achievement to have a workforce that reflects the Borough’s community. Especially increasing the proportion of (i) BAME staff overall in the workforce, to reflect the working age population of Tower Hamlets; (ii)  BAME staff given fair opportunity to progress to managerial roles and particular senior management posts; (iii) of staff with disabilities overall and in senior management positions.

v  Was reminded that the Councils equality policy sets out a clear commitment to ensure equality is at the heart of everything it does from the money it spends and the people they employ, to the services we provide. The policy applies to all aspects of the Council’s functions including recruitment, employment, training, and development of staff

v  Commented that diversity is one of the Borough’s greatest strengths and the Council works with its partners to provide accessible and responsive services that enable it to improve outcomes for local people. Through ensuring the Council meets local needs helps to deliver value for money, improve customer services and reputation, and to enable the empowerment of local people to lead fulfilling lives.

v  Observed that equality in Tower Hamlets is first and foremost addressed through the Tower Hamlets Strategic Plan which sets out the strategic direction for the Council and its partners. Equality being embedded throughout this plan and is a key driver for everything the Council does.

In conclusion, the Chair:

Thanked Mayor Biggs and Will Tuckley for their presentation and that the key points the Committee considered included

1. The importance of reflecting on what is being done to accelerate the  pace and scale of achievement to have a workforce that reflects the Borough’s community.
2. What the Council is doing with partner agencies to provide good quality internet connection to ensure that children with poor access to online learning do not fall further behind as home-schooling continues during the pandemic.