Agenda item
SCRUTINY SPOTLIGHT:LEAD MEMBER
(Time allocated 45 minutes)
The Lead Member of Regeneration, Localisation and Community Partnerships, Councillor Ohid Ahmed, will attend to report on his portfolio.
Councillor Ohid Ahmed’s Portfolio Includes the following remit:
- Local management
- Third sector
- Community engagement, consultation and empowerment
- Strategic and regeneration partnerships
- Business liaison and partnership
- Business tourism
Minutes:
Councillor Ohid Ahmed Lead Member of Regeneration, Localisation and Community Partnerships opened his presentation by giving a brief overview of what his Portfolio entailed, highlighting the areas of local management, the Third Sector, community engagement, consultation and empowerment, strategic and regeneration partnerships, business liaison and partnership, business tourism and community cohesion.
Councillor Ahmed then went on to mention some of the key challenges and achievements from his portfolio. He informed the Committee of the success of the Tower Hamlets Partnership as one of the most successful localStrategic Partnerships in the country, evidenced by the LGC award it received earlierthis year, along with the green light assessment given by government.
Councillor Ahmed further informed the Committee ofanother achievement in the improvement of the Tower Hamlets Partnership identifying local priorities and then translating this into delivery. The Safer Neighbourhood teams, improved primary care and mobile dentistry were all examples of this.
Councillor Ahmed highlighted the new Community Plan and Local Area Agreement asone of the challenges in his portfolio, stressing the importance of ensuring the partnership model was fit for purpose. He explained that in spring 2008 there would be a refresh of the Community Plan up to 2020, as well as agreeing a new Local Area Agreement. During this time he hoped to review the partnership model with all the partners. Councillor Ahmed further explained another challenge is the loss of key grants such as the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) and New Deal for Communities (NDC).
Councillor Ahmed referred to the challenge of bringing the relationship with the third sector up to best practice, e.g. the move towards a commissioning model which posed significant capacity issues that will need to be addressed with organisations such as the Community Organisations Forum (COF) and the Community Empowerment Network (CEN).
The Committee put a number of questions to the Lead Member. Councillor Shahed Ali enquired as to the progress made in the regeneration of the Thames Gateway. Cllr Ahmed and the Corporate Director Development and Renewal, Ms Emma Peters, explained that the total target figure for new homes in the Thames Gateway was in excess of 100,000. In the last year in Tower Hamlets 3,000 units had been completed, 6,000 more were under construction and planning permission was in place for a further 6,000.
Councillor Ahmed Hussain asked how much had been spent on consultants, and what measures were being taken to minimise this. Councillor Ahmed did not have precise figures to hand but explained that there were certain specialist areas due to the technicality of the skills required where the use of consultants was unavoidable.
Councillor Stephanie Eaton requested clarification of the term ‘Business Tourism’. Members were informed that this involved promoting and maximising the benefits of business sector accommodation at conferences and other events within the borough. This was a growing sector and would continue to expand in the run up to the 2012 Olympics.
Councillor Salim Ullah expressed his concern regarding the perceived problem of social division on housing estates. Councillor Ahmed responded explaining that a lot was being done and that meetings were held with all faith and community leaders. However he did not accept the proposition that social division was widespread in the borough.
Councillor Alex Heslop asked about, in regards to Roman Road and Brick Lane, the possibility of employing town centre managers. Councillor Ahmed responded stating that this avenue was currently being considered.
The Chair thanked Councillor Ahmed for his attendance and for his responses to the questions raised by members of the Committee.