Agenda item
Call In: Whitechapel Centre
(Time allocated: 30 Minutes)
Minutes:
Councillor Marc Francis invited Councillor Oliur Rahman, on behalf of the Call-in Members, to present the reasons for the Call-in. Councillor Rahman stated that the Members welcomed the development of the site, but felt that the report did not give adequate information on the negotiations carried out by the Council in relation to the proposed Community Interest Company.
Councillor Rahman stated that there was particular concern regarding the transfer to a new trust consisting of individuals operating from a private residential address. He would prefer established and recognised local community based organisations, with a proven track record of project delivery, financial management and demonstrated accountability to be stakeholders of any new trust.
Committee Members put their questions to Councillor Oliur Rahman. Councillor Alex Heslop enquired what evidence he had that stake holders had been left out. Councillor Rahman informed him that local ward Councillors had informed him that this was the case.
Councillor Stephanie Eaton enquired whether the Call-in Members were concerned about the amount of money that had been spent and future spend on the development. Councillor Rahman explained that he had been requested this information but had not received it.
In his response to Councillor Rahman’s Call-In Councillor Joshua Peck explained that an incremental approach to the transfer was being used. He also stated that the new Whitechapel Centre aimed to work with local partner agencies involved in youth and employment services which would build upon and improve the current community and business usage.
Questions were then posed to Councillor Peck from the Committee. Councillor Ahmed Hussain enquired how confident Councillor Peck was that communities had been consulted effectively. Councillor Peck responded explaining that consultation was planned.
Councillor Ahmed Hussain further enquired if the necessary steps were being taken to ensure the broadening of the membership and Governance of the Whitechapel centre. Councillor Peck explained that the Council was still in the early stages of the process and would seek to bring in more organisations over the next two years, as the building was not to be transferred until 2010. He further stated that there was work to do to increase the diversity of the proposed trust members with the inclusion of more women, a wider age range and from different communities. Co-opted member Mr Mueenuddin requested that faith Communities are also consulted.
Councillor Mohammed Salique emphasised his concern regarding the need for transparency and enquired what the implications would be if the Committee did not agree to the Council’s decisions. Councillor Peck explained that the whole transaction was not yet completed but that transparency would be a part of how things moved forward. He added that nothing had been proposed for the financial benefit of any current organisation. There was scope to develop the proposals further but the model chosen was being utilised in order to access funding from the Community Assets Fund (up to £1m), that would otherwise be unavailable.
Councillor Marc Francis noted that a further report would go to the Cabinet and asked that this should address accountability, under representation and transparency.
The Chair felt that it would not be beneficial at this stage for the item to be referred back to the Cabinet as this could jeopardise the funding for the trust. He undertook however to make the Cabinet aware of the Committee’s concerns regarding issues around accountability, under representation and transparency in relation to the centre, and to seek assurances that these would be addressed.
Following debate the Committee voted on whether to refer the item back to Cabinet for further consideration. It was RESOLVED:
That the alternative course of action proposed in the Call-in be not pursued and the item be not referred back to Cabinet, but the Chair be requested to communicate the concerns expressed by Members as above.
Supporting documents:
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Call in Cover Sheet Whitechapel Centre, item 6.2
PDF 30 KB
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Whitechapel Centre Call In Report, item 6.2
PDF 54 KB