To debate a Motion submitted by the Administration in accordance with Rules 11 and 13 of the Council’s Constitution. The debate will last for a maximum of 30 minutes.

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin moved and Councillor Motin Uz – Zaman seconded the motion as printed in the agenda.

Councillor Andrew Wood moved and Councillor Peter Golds seconded the following amendment to the motion as set out in the supplementary agenda:

Amendments underlined.

This council notes:

1.             The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) intends to close the JobCentre Plus branch based at Dod Street, Poplar.

2.             That the reasons for the closure are due to the landlord not renewing the lease

3.            

4.            

5.            

6.            

7.            

8.            

9.            

10.         

11.         

12.         

13.          The closure of this branch will result in of a critical layer of support for our residents in Tower Hamlets, at a time when Universal Credit uplift ends, the furlough scheme closes, and the government imposes an increase in National Insurance.

14.          The central position of the Dod Street branch is located close to some of the areas of highest deprivation in our borough: the closure  will result in increased deprivation through residents not claiming the benefit support that they are entitled to.

15.         

16.          That access to welfare support is becoming increasingly digitised and those in most need of support are maybe less likely to have the digital capability to access that support.

17.         

This council believes:

1.             The DWP’s JobCentre Plus branches provide vital face-to-face support to residents who are unemployed and/or are claiming benefit support.

2.             Within Tower Hamlets, there are just JobCentre Plus branches, both in Poplar & Limehouse constituency, which provide vital support for many Tower Hamlets residents.

3.             The recently published “Poverty Review” highlighted that residents were not always aware of the benefit support available to them, and that there is high correlation between illiteracy, digital exclusion and poverty. Face to face advice is often vital for many residents to understand and access the support they need.

4.             That provision of employment and welfare support can be conducted in a variety of buildings and places that are accessible and welcoming to residents, and closer working between the DWP, council frontline services, and the borough’s advice centres, can only benefit our residents.

This council resolves:

1.             To ask the Mayor and Lead Member to write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions The?re?se Coffey MP and the Minister for Employment Mims Davies MP to:

1.    and

2.    express concern at the closure of Dod Street JobCentre Plus, and

3.    offer support in finding alternative suitable accommodation

2.             To call on our local MPs to raise our concerns with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

Following debate, the amendment moved by Councillor  Andrew Wood was put to a vote and was defeated.

The substantive motion was put to a vote and was agreed.

RESOLVED:

This council notes:

1.             The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) intends to close the JobCentre Plus branch based at Dod Street, Poplar.

2.             That the reasons for the closure are due to the landlord not renewing the lease.

3.            The closure of this branch will result in the removal of a critical layer of support for our residents in Tower Hamlets, at a time when Universal Credit uplift ends, the furlough scheme closes, and the government imposes an increase in National Insurance.

4.             The central position of the Dod Street branch is located close to some of the areas of highest deprivation in our borough: the closure will result in increased deprivation through residents not claiming the benefit support that they are entitled to.

5.             That access to welfare support is becoming increasingly digitised and those in most need of support are less likely to have the digital capability to access that support.

This council believes:

1.            The DWP’s JobCentre Plus branches provide vital face-to-face support to residents who are unemployed and/or are claiming benefit support.

2.             Within Tower Hamlets, there are just 2 JobCentre Plus branches, both in Poplar & Limehouse constituency, which provide vital support for many Tower Hamlets residents.

3.            The recently published “Poverty Review” highlighted that residents were not always aware of the benefit support available to them, and that there is high correlation between illiteracy, digital exclusion and poverty. Face to face advice is often vital for many residents to understand and access the support they need.

4.             That provision of employment and welfare support can be conducted in a variety of buildings and places that are accessible and welcoming to residents, and closer working between the DWP, council frontline services, and the borough’s advice centres, can only benefit our residents.

This council resolves:

1.        To ask the Mayor and Lead Member to write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Thérèse Coffey MP and the Minister for Employment Mims Davies MP to:

a.   express concern at the closure of Dod Street JobCentre Plus, and

b.   offer support in finding alternative suitable accommodation

2.        To call on our local MPs to raise our concerns with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

(Action by: Mayor’s Office)