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 Kamrul Hussain.

 

Can the Lead Member provide an update on the ongoing costs accrued by the council in redressing the failure to sign off the council accounts under the last administration?

 

Response of Councillor Saied Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Resources and the Cost of Living

 

Thank you for your question. You won’t be surprised to learn that the costs incurred on the financial statements from 2016/17 through to 2019/20 (4-years) accrued amount to £3.1m.  This money could be invested to resolve the Borough’s overcrowding issue and other worthy causes. The previous administration has admitted a considerable expense has been accrued because of the mismanagement of the accounts.

 

 

Supplementary question from Councillor Kamrul Hussain.

 

How soon will the accounts be signed off? 

 

 

Response of Councillor Saied Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Resources and the Cost of Living

 

The 2016/17 and 2017/18 accounts have been signed off however the following three years accounts – 2018/19, 2019/20 and 2020/21 are yet to be signed off. Officers are working with Deloitte to address one final issue and it’s hoped that these can be signed off shortly.

 

 

 

11.2    Question from Councillor Mohammad Chowdhury.

 

We are facing an unprecedented housing crisis in the borough. I have been contacted by many private tenants that their landlord is turning their rented accommodation into Airbnb accommodation for more profit. Some of these private tenants will be homeless soon, which, in turn, enhances the current crisis. Could the lead member for Housing tell us their plan to regulate the increase of Airbnb or similar holiday accommodations in the borough?

 

Response from Councillor Kabir Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Inclusive Development and Housebuilding

 

 

 

 

Tackling the housing crisis is a clear priority for the council, as set out in the Mayor’s manifesto and the Strategic Plan.

 

Regarding the regulation of Airbnb and other holiday lettings, unfortunately there are limitations on what we can do. Currently in London it is possible to let out a residential (use class C3) property as a short term let for up to 90 days a year without planning permission and it is extremely difficult to monitor and enforce against those who let out their properties for longer than that 90-day limit.

 

The Government have recently consulted on the possibility of introducing a new use class for short term lets, although it is not clear that any of the measures consulted on will help the situation in London. But we are proactively looking at that and will continue to explore the powers we can utilise as a council to make the best use of the borough’s housing stock.

 

 

11.3    Question from Councillor Shafi Ahmed.

 

Can the Mayor or Lead Member please update on the progress of the LBTH Local Plan refresh, and what he hopes to see achieved in the outcomes of this process?

 

Response from Councillor Kabir Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Inclusive Development and Housebuilding

 

The 2020 Adopted Local Plan is currently under a full review, which includes assessing the effectiveness of all policies, and drafting new policies where required.  The direction of policies will be underpinned and informed by, national and regional policy requirements, local objectives, new evidence base and consultation and engagement with all Tower Hamlets’ communities.

 

Key milestones for the review of a Local Plan are:

-         early engagement on issues and policy proposals – which took place between Wednesday 25 January to Wednesday March 8 2023

-         Regulation 18 – statutory consultation on the draft Local Plan

-         Regulation 19 – final representations and comments on the Local Plan being submitted to the Secretary of State

-         Examination in Public with an Independent Inspector – which The Plan Making team are currently preparing for Regulation 18 and intend to take this to Cabinet in October 2023, to consult in November 2023.

 

 

 

11.4    Question from Councillor Marc Francis.

 

Can the Mayor and Lead Member explain why they have stopped plans to introduce a raised table zebra crossing on Parnell Road to make it safer for older residents and families with children crossing from Lefevre estate to cross to Roman Road market?

 

Response from Councillor Kabir Hussain, Cabinet Member for Environment and the Climate Emergency

 

The proposal for a raised zebra crossing at Parnell Road formed part of a wider package of measures put forward for the area, initially as part of the Liveable Streets programme, which encompassed changes to pedestrian crossings in addition to the traffic restriction schemes. This scheme remains under review.

 

Supplementary question from Councillor Marc Francis.

 

It’s disappointing to hear the scheme is under review. Elderly residents are not protected at all. I was given an assurance back in February 2022 that the Parnell Road scheme was going to be implemented. However, having chased the Highway’s manager I am informed that following the election, funding for all liveable street schemes including the introduction of speed tables have been cut. Can the Lead member explain why these necessary measures are not being implemented?

 

Response from Councillor Kabir Hussain, Cabinet Member for Environment and the Climate Emergency

 

The previous Mayor and administration failed to properly consult residents about their Liveable streets programme. This administration has a better plan which we will implement once we have reviewed the scheme.

 

 

11.5    Question from Councillor Amin Rahman.

 

Can the Lead Member feedback on the recent peer review that looked at our early help service which took place in February and March and the Care Leavers which happened in May?

 

Response from Councillor Maium Miah Talukdar, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Education, Youth and Lifelong Learning.

 

The Early Help Peer Review was conducted by three experienced Early Help leaders and a Department of Education lead, including from highly rated local authorities, over three days. The Review Team met with staff and visited our Children and Family Centres, undertook case audits and discussions with practitioners, and met with key partners to get full sense of our Early Help offer.

Key findings were:

• Leaders, managers and staff talked passionately about this new direction and the benefits for families. This is well articulated in the new ambitious Early Help Strategy - ‘Leaving no families behind – supporting access for all’

• The locality model of delivery is well embedded and supports bespoke early support to each of these 4 communities.

• The visible diversity of the workforce is commendable, particularly in terms of ethnicity, culture, age and gender. There is a real sense that staff can be their authentic selves at work.

Supplementary question from Councillor Amin Rahman.

 

How confident are you that the Council will achieve a better Ofsted review?

Response from Councillor Maium Miah Talukdar, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Education, Youth and Lifelong Learning.

 

The review team made some recommendations which are currently being considered and implemented.

Our Care Leavers Peer Review was carried out by Mark Riddell MBE, the National Implementation Adviser for Care Leavers, who concluded:

“I was very impressed by the leadership and management approach that was ambitious, aspirational and I got a real sense of passion and commitment to have a better offer for care leavers across the whole service area.  What I also saw and heard was many examples where I felt the service was ‘pitching’ above good and that the corporate approach, and in particular the team approach stood out with workers who were highly responsive to the needs of care leavers.  The local authority are in a good position to get to being great for care leavers in that I could see some outstanding features.”

 

11.6    Question from Councillor Mufeedah Bustin.

 

With the removal of funding for George Green’s school and the cancelling of NCIL projects in the most population-dense area of the UK, what investment is the mayor making on the Isle of Dogs?

 

Response from Councillor Kabir Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Inclusive Development and Housebuilding

 

I didn’t get to finish my answer earlier when this was raised under item 4. The previous Labour administration invested 1.99M in LIF Area 4. However, this administration will be investing 2.1M which is an increase in real and actual terms. Some of the Public Realm investments made by the previous administration should have come from the Council’s own budget and not LIF and NCIL monies. We are going to manage our budgets better and will allow for full probity of them.

 

Supplementary question from Councillor Mufeedah Bustin 

 

Can the Lead Member confirm what infrastructure projects they will be spending on, in the Isle of Dogs?

 

Response from Councillor Kabir Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Inclusive Development and Housebuilding

 

We will be spending circa 18m on capital and housing projects. Circa12M on grant funding. What the administration will not be spending on are scheme such as improvements to walking and cycling which was awarded £250,000 and was nominated by one person.  Improvements to cycle route 1, awarded £270,000 and again nominated by one person.

 

11.7    Question from Councillor Bodrul Choudhury

 

Can the Lead Member update the council on progress with the external independent investigation of our housing management department? Can the Lead Member tell us who has been appointed and set out a timeline for delivery?

 

Response from Councillor Kabir Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Inclusive Development and Housebuilding

 

There has been a separate commission of BDO to complete an external review of the governance, systems, and processes regarding the engagement, monitoring, and enforcement of regulations and occupancy of HMO properties. They are due to report in August.

 

Supplementary question from Councillor Bodrul Choudhury

 

Is there a timeline after August, as to when the recommendations from the review will be implemented?

 

 

Response from Councillor Kabir Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Inclusive Development and Housebuilding

 

Once the report has been finalised, Officers will review the recommendations and this will be presented to Council, if recommended by the Monitoring Officer and Chief Executive. We are aware we need to strengthen our governance, processes and systems relating to HMO properties and that we need to protect vulnerable residents, from seizure and tenant abuse.

11.8    Question from Councillor Asma Islam

 

How many homeless residents were supported into suitable accommodation for the council year 22-23 and how did that compare against the target set for the year?

 

Response from Councillor Kabir Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Inclusive Development and Housebuilding

 

In 2022/23, the number of homeless households who were supported to move into affordable, sustainable housing was 317 (under our target of 470).

 

Of the 317 homeless households, 148 moved on to private rent sector accommodation and a further 169 to social housing.

 

Supplementary question from Councillor Asma Islam.

 

Can you please find out how many residents apply for homelessness support, who are rejected and then apply for the 2^nd or 3^rd time. This would be a good indicator to understand the issues and the barriers faced by residents.

 

Response from Councillor Kabir Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Inclusive Development and Housebuilding

 

We do have targets and some of the targets are from Government. We are reviewing our polices and processes and take this issue seriously. If you could let me have the details of cases alluded to, I will speak with the Housing Director.

 

 

Questions 11.9 to 11.31 were not put due to lack of time. The written responses are attached at Appendix A.