Agenda item
TO RECEIVE WRITTEN QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL
The questions which have been received from Councillors to be put at this meeting are set out in the attached report.
A maximum period of 30 minutes is allocated to this agenda item.
Decision:
8.1 Question from Councillor Kosru Uddin regarding youth unemployment – response by Councillor Oliur Rahman, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services.
8.2 Question from Councillor Tim Archer regarding East End Life – response by Deputy Mayor, Councillor Ohid Ahmed.
8.3 Question from Councillor David Edgar regarding engagement with GPs and the PCT on health service changes in the Borough – response by Mayor Lutfur Rahman.
8.4 Question from Councillor Fozol Miah regarding anti-social behaviour around Brick Lane - response by Deputy Mayor, Councillor Ohid Ahmed (no supplementary question was asked).
8.5 Question from Councillor Amy Whitelock regarding the impact of the Government's welfare benefits changes – response by Councillor Rabina Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing.
8.6 Question from Councillor Peter Golds regarding the Thames Water Tunnel – response by Councillor Alibor Choudhury, Cabinet Member for Resources.
8.7 Question from Councillor Bill Turner regarding expenditure on consultants and agency staff - response by Councillor Alibor Choudhury, Cabinet Member for Resources.
8.8 Question from Councillor Harun Miah regarding the acute shortage of homes in this borough for larger families - response by Councillor Rabina Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing (no supplementary question was asked).
8.9 Question from Councillor Carlo Gibbs regarding how successful the Council has been on tackling benefit fraud in the Borough - response by Councillor Alibor Choudhury, Cabinet Member for Resources.
8.10 Question from Councillor Dr Emma Jones regarding access to GPs and dentists – response by Mayor Lutfur Rahman.
The above questions and in each case (except where indicated) a supplementary question were put and were responded to by the Mayor or relevant Cabinet Member as noted.
In relation to Question 8.7 (from Councillor Bill Turner regarding expenditure on consultants and agency staff), Councillor Rachael Saunders moved, and Councillor Bill Turner seconded, ‘that under Council Procedure Rule 14.1.4, the matters raised in the question and response be referred to the Council’s Audit Committee for consideration.’ This procedural motion was put to the vote and was agreed.
DECISION
That the matters raised in Question 8.7 and the response thereto be referred to the Council’s Audit Committee for consideration.
(Action by: Isabella Freeman, Assistant Chief Executive (Legal Services) and John S. Williams, Service Head, Democratic Services)
Questions 8.11 to 8.19 were not put as the time allowed for this agenda item had expired. Written responses will be provided to each question.
(Action by: John S. Williams, Service Head, Democratic Services)
Minutes:
8.1 Question from Councillor Kosru Uddin
“Given the impact of the recent cuts and loss of jobs and the subsequent rise in unemployment, in particular the significant rise in youth unemployment, what is the Mayor proposing to do to help address unemployment in the borough and help young residents who are out of work and bordering on the realms of disillusion and feelings of dejection?”
Response (by Councillor Oliur Rahman, Cabinet Member, Children’s Services)
Tackling unemployment and helping more people into work is one of the key priorities of the Mayor. We have implemented a series of initiatives to help young unemployed into work. As a result, the number of young people aged 16-18 not in employment, education or training (NEET) is at an all time low of just 5.3%.
Youth unemployment of 18-24 year olds has in fact fallen by 2.8% since the Mayor came into office.
Clearly, we are making a difference. And we will ensure that this continues. Last month, our budget had some of the lowest compulsory redundancies in London. People of Tower Hamlets can be proud that the Mayor is creating jobs and tackling youth unemployment.
We know for a fact that the Labour Group leadership were proposing to cut jobs, for example by getting rid of Tower Hamlets Enforcement Officers. This is just one example.
If we look at the huge levels of job cuts in other Labour councils, we can get a sense of what a Labour budget would have looked like in Tower Hamlets. It would have meant thousands of people, including young people losing their jobs.
Let me tell you some of the initiatives that we have already delivered.
· We helped 600 more people into work through the council’s Skillsmatch programme in the last year
· We have secured 1000 potential Olympics jobs - we are working to prepare residents to apply for these opportunities
· Our Youth and Connexions Service is working hard to help young people into work
· We have maintained a careers guidance service in every school
· We supported over 450 of the most vulnerable Year 11 pupils to make a transition into further education
· We re-engaged over 400 16-18 year olds through the New Start project
· Our 14-19 Partnership has increased the range of further education opportunities available locally
· We doubled the number of Apprenticeship opportunities in 2010
Summary of supplementary question: Can the Cabinet Member say more about what activities are being undertaken by the Council to deal with the problem of youth unemployment and the working together agenda?
Summary of Cabinet Member’s reply: Thank you for your supplementary question. Last week I met with a range of organisations working in the field to identify how best we can work together to improve provision. I am happy to discuss this matter further with the Councillor and examine all possible options.
8.2 Question from Councillor Tim Archer
“As previously stated, Parliament completed the process by March 31st to introduce a revised code of practice which will prevent local authorities from wasting taxpayers money on vanity newspapers such as East End Life. Therefore why is the Mayor persisting with his money wasting consultation exercise regarding East End Life?”
Response (by Councillor Ohid Ahmed, Deputy Mayor)
We have reviewed the revised Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity. It lays down seven different principles. Conducting a review of East End Life is entirely consistent with the Code.
The suggestion that we are wasting money on this consultation is completely baseless. The review used officer time only. It was prepared from information that we already obtained from the budget setting process. There were no additional costs.
The Audit Commission’s research also confirmed that local authorities were not wasting money on council publications. The Chief Executive of the Audit Commission said and I quote,
“The money being spent by councils is not unreasonable”
Tory councillors were proposing to get rid of East End Life. We would have had to spend £1.5m in advertising costs instead of £370,000 net cost to produce East End Life. This amounts to over £1m worth of waste.
It is the Tory councillors who have money wasting policies. The Mayor is working hard to get rid of waste.
This evening, we have already heard from residents that East End Life is a valuable community asset. We are happy to continue to support it. And we await the outcome of the review.
Summary of supplementary question: You have already promised cost savings of £200k p.a. from East End Life. How will these savings be delivered?
Summary of Cabinet Member’s reply: Thank you for your supplementary question. I am able to report that following the budget process, opportunities for delivering savings have been identified. I am happy to discuss this matter further with the Councillor outside of this meeting.
8.3 Question from Councillor David Edgar
“Could the Mayor report on the action he has taken to engage with local GPs and the Primary Care Trust on the transfer of health commissioning to GPs, with the PCT on the transfer of public health responsibilities to the Council, and with the PCT on the future of community health services in the borough?”
Response (by Mayor Lutfur Rahman)
I met with Alastair Camp, the Chair of NHS Tower Hamlets and covered a number of the issues facing health services for Tower Hamlets. Since then, senior council officers, including the Chief Executive and the Corporate Director, Adults, Health and Wellbeing, have met with GPs and have been working very closely with NHS Tower Hamlets to ensure that health changes are managed effectively for Tower Hamlets.
Transfer of health commissioning to GPs: The elections for the Tower Hamlets GP Consortium have taken place and the first Tower Hamlets Consortium Board was held on 5th April 2011. The Council is represented at this forum.
Transfer of Public Health responsibilities: The Co-Directors of Public Health and Corporate Director of Adults Health and Wellbeing meet on a regular basis to effectively manage the transition planning. The Council is hosting a Members’ seminar on the health reforms on 20th April - please go along if you would like to find out more.
Future of community health services in the borough:Barts and The London were selected for the future host of Community Health Services. We were represented on the panel that evaluated their bid. And we have been involved in the oversight of the transition of the Community Health Services. Implementation is expected from 1st July 2011.
Summary of supplementary question: Health services have a national and a local dimension. Can the Mayor give his assurance that he will give priority to ensuring local accountability of the new bodies referred to in his response?
Summary of Mayor’s reply: Thank you for your supplementary question. In recognition of the importance of this area I am currently overseeing the health portfolio personally. As already outlined we are centrally involved in a range of work to oversee the transition of health services locally.
8.4 Question from Councillor Fozol Miah
“Would the Mayor agree that there is a delicate balancing act between encouraging the vibrant atmosphere around Brick Lane and the scourge of anti-social behaviour afflicting both residents and visitors alike, and would he undertake an urgent investigation into the scale of the problem of anti-social behaviour and the measures that might be taken to address it?”
Response (by Councillor Ohid Ahmed, Deputy Mayor)
We are seeking to encourage an environment in which visitors can enjoy the cultural and social interests Brick Lane has to offer. At the same time, we are working in partnership with the Police and the community to respond to local concerns.
We have invested in a dedicated Police Town Centre team. They are supported by Tower Hamlets Enforcement Officers (THEOs). THEOs patrol the town centre to ensure a visible presence.
THEOs have conducted enforcement activity in and around Brick Lane. In the past year, they issued 162 verbal warnings for anti-social behaviour. There were 21 arrests as a result of THEO intervention related to anti-social behaviour.
I also visited Brick Lane with THEOs on two occasions.
The Labour Group Leadership and the Tories wanted to get rid of THEOs. Obviously, they don’t want anti-social behaviour to be addressed in Brick Lane. Unlike them, we take residents’ concerns very seriously.
We recently launched Brick Lane as the Olympics Curry Capital. More people will visit Brick Lane next year. We are reviewing and developing operational tactics to respond effectively to impact on the local community.
No supplementary question was asked.
8.5 Question from Councillor Amy Whitelock
“What assessment has the Mayor made of the impact that the Government's raft of welfare benefits changes, coming into force between 2011 and 2014 will have on Tower Hamlets residents?”
Response (by Councillor Rabina Khan, Cabinet Member, Housing)
Last Wednesday, a total of 44 tax and benefit changes were introduced by the Coalition Government. It was described by some as Black Wednesday. Changes hit the most disadvantaged people in our community.
Changes to Local Housing Allowance on residents will mean a shortfall of £4.1 million. It is estimated that over 3,000 households within Tower Hamlets will be affected by the changes. There will be increases in non dependant deductions. These increases will affect over 8000 households.
Boris Johnson has condemned the housing benefit changes as an attempt by the government at ‘social cleansing’. People on low income will get pushed out of affluent boroughs. This will add pressure on housing in boroughs like Tower Hamlets.
The Government has put in no support to help our disabled residents find work who will face regular assessments to prove their disability. The Tory-led Government’s approach is nothing but appalling.
We passed a progressive budget last month saving jobs and frontline services. But, this Coalition government is intent on tearing our community apart by imposing cuts. And taking away benefits from people at a time of job losses and financial uncertainty.
Procedural motion
At this point Councillor Rabina Khan moved, and Councillor Alibor Choudhury seconded, “that under Rule 14.1.3 the order of business be varied to enable motion 12.6 regarding Housing Benefit changes to be considered as the next item.”
The procedural motion was put to the vote and was defeated.
Summary of supplementary question: You have focussed mainly on the Housing Benefit changes. Can you confirm that the Executive have taken into account all aspects of the forthcoming changes to the welfare benefit system and identified actions that can be undertaken to assist local residents, including for example changes to Child Benefit and Disability Living Allowance; and does the Mayor agree that it is a disgrace that deprived boroughs are bearing the brunt of the cuts while bankers are still receiving bonuses?
Summary of Cabinet Member’s reply: Thank you for your supplementary question. We have assessed and recognise the negative impact that the proposed changes will have on our local community and we are working to develop services in response. A Members’ seminar will be arranged to ensure that Members are fully aware of the issues involved. I urge Members to attend this seminar and I reiterate the unfairness of the changes to the welfare benefits system.
8.6 Question from Councillor Peter Golds
“Further to the Council Motion passed over two months ago regarding the Thames Water Tunnel, can the Mayor confirm that the support for the Thames Tunnel as proposed by Thames Water and agreed by his Cabinet in December 2010 has been withdrawn? Also, when will the Mayor be meeting with Thames Water to discuss alternative routes?”
Response (by Councillor Alibor Choudhury, Cabinet Member, Resources)
The latest position is that:
· The Mayor and I met the Chief Executive of Thames Water on 28th March
· The Mayor expressed his concern and disapproval of the proposal to construct a connection to the Thames Tideway Tunnel in King Edward Memorial Park or the adjacent fore shore.
· He presented the motion passed by Council on 2nd February to the Chief Executive Officer
· We stressed the need for Thames Water to rethink their proposals and to produce a reconfigured scheme which does not damage King Edward Memorial Park.
· Thames Water have agreed to further review their proposals.
Cabinet decision:
· The Cabinet report of 1st December was the draft technical response to the September/December consultation.
· Cabinet agreed the report which confirmed the need to reduce sewage overflowing into the Thames from Relief Sewers including the North East Storm Relief and Holloway Storm Relief sewers in the borough.
· The response conditionally confirmed that a tunnel following the Project’s preferred Abbey Mill route was the most appropriate solution.
· The response warned that using King Edward Memorial Park (KEMP) as a main or intermediate tunnelling site would have substantial community and environmental impacts and strongly advised against reinstating KEMP as a preferred site.
· It acknowledged some work needs to be carried out in close proximity to the existing North East Storm Relief
· It recognised the fore shore site as least worst option put forward by Thames Water.
Mayor of London’s stance:
· Boris has shown no support to residents’ concern about the use of KEMP
· His office has refused to think of alternative sites away from KEMP
· While our Mayor has asked Thames Water to go back to the drawing board, Boris is happy to give them his full backing.
· Cllr Golds should focus on lobbying Boris to change his mind rather than jumping on the bandwagon now.
Summary of supplementary question: Is it not the case that the previous decision reached by the Mayor and Cabinet actually supported the use of the foreshore at King Edward Memorial Park for the accommodation of works associated with the Thames Tunnel?
Summary of Cabinet Member’s reply: Thank you for your supplementary question. The Cabinet considered a draft technical response. I confirm that a further report will be presented to a future meeting of the Cabinet in relation to this matter. Additionally, it is proposed that an independent expert engineer will be appointed to examine possible alternative options. I ensure you that we are embedded in the campaign to urge Thames Water to think again on this scheme.
8.7 Question from Councillor Bill Turner
“Can the Mayor tell me how he plans to reduce council expenditure on consultants and agency staff?”
Response (by Councillor Alibor Choudhury, Cabinet Member, Resources)
· The Council has reduced the annual costs of temporary staff by approximately £4.5 million per annum over the last 18 months.
· Over the last few months, the Council reduced its use of agency workers.
· A significant number of vacancies have been deleted as part of the Council's Lean programme.
· The Council is also taking a robust approach to redeployment andseeking to avoid compulsory redundancies – this reduces reliance on agency staff.
· The Council spends on average less than half of one percent of its revenue budget on Consultants.
· Most consultancy expenditure is incurred on major projects, such as the Building Schools for the Future programme
· Consultancies are used when specialist skills are required for a time limited nature where it would not represent value for money for staff to be employed by the Council.
· Use of Consultants is regularly reviewed by Overview and Scrutiny Committee. This was most recently done in October last year. The Committee raised no concerns about the Council’s strategy and engagement of consultants.
Summary of supplementary question: I would request details of what specialist skills are required in relation to the appointment of a number of consultants/agency staff in the Office of the Mayor?
Summary of Cabinet Member’s reply: Thank you for your supplementary question. Members will recognise that there may be a need for additional specialist assistance in a range of areas such as housing, employment and social services, to ensure that the best possible advice is available to the Cabinet Members at all times.
Procedural motion – Referral to the Audit Committee
At this point Councillor Rachael Saunders moved, and Councillor Bill Turner seconded, “that under Rule 14.1.4 the matters raised in Councillor Turner’s question above and the Cabinet Member’s response be referred to the Audit Committee for consideration.”
The motion was put to the vote and was agreed. Accordingly it was:-
RESOLVED
That the matters raised in Councillor Turner’s question above and the Cabinet Member’s response be referred to the Audit Committee for consideration.
8.8 Question from Councillor Harun Miah
“Would the Mayor agree with me that there remains an acute shortage of homes in this borough for larger families, that urgent action needs to be taken to alleviate the scourge of overcrowding and that this could be achieved through buying back certain kinds of top floor flats which would allow dormer extensions to be built?”
Response (by Councillor Rabina Khan, Cabinet Member, Housing)
Reducing overcrowding and increasing housing supply is one of Mayor’s top priorities. When he was leader and now as Mayor, Tower Hamlets produced the highest number of affordable and family sized socially rented units in England during 2009/10. We are continuing this work.
The Council has recently reviewed its approach to deconversions and extensions with Tower Hamlets Homes. Where feasible, we will consider allowing dormer extensions to top floor flats to ease overcrowding and create larger units.
In addition, the Mayor will investigate new opportunities to knock through existing properties.
· We will continue with the Cash Incentive Scheme to encourage over occupiers to move to smaller accommodation
· We will continue to work in partnership with RSLs, both to increase the number of affordable homes being built and to ensure that as many new homes as possible are family-sized homes.
· Where possible we will buy back ex-council 3 bed plus Right-to-Buy properties.
Furthermore the Council’s Empty Property Policy Framework for private sector properties is in place and seeks to maximise the provision of new homes in a number of ways. This includes:
· The re-use of existing empty dwellings.
· The re-use, conversion or adaptation of empty living space over shops.
· The conversion and adaptation of appropriate redundant commercial buildings.
No supplementary question was asked.
8.9 Question from Councillor Carlo Gibbs
“Can the Mayor update me on how successful the Council has been on tackling benefit fraud in the Borough?”
Response (by Councillor Alibor Choudhury, Cabinet Member, Resources)
So far in 2010/2011, the Benefit Fraud Investigation Team have achieved:
· 27 Convictions for Benefit Fraud
· 64 Administration Penalties for Benefit Fraud
· 56 Cautions issued for Benefit Fraud
The Tories talk a lot about benefit dependency culture. Yet, tax evasion costs the public purse over £15bn a year, as opposed to just over £1bn in benefit fraud. We don’t hear the Government cracking down on tax evaders!
Research by Citizens Advice showed:
· up to half a million households entitled to Housing Benefit do not claim it
· up to 3 million households are missing out on Council Tax Benefit and
· as many as 1.7 million pensioners are missing out on Pension Credit they could be claiming.
No doubt it is politically useful for the Tories to play up fraud. But, why are they so quiet about unclaimed benefit entitlements?
When people are seeing cuts to their working hours or losing their jobs altogether, it is vital that those genuinely in need get the help they need, and quickly.
This Government is obviously more interested in cutting jobs than providing any real support to people in need.
Complexity in the benefit system means that about £2.2bn is lost each year – this is twice as much as is lost to fraud. We ask the Government what they are doing to address that!
Summary of supplementary question: Is the Cabinet Member aware of the benefits of the Council-run and DCLG-funded scheme to identify the illegal sub-letting of properties and reclaim those properties; and will he give a commitment that the scheme will continue as it is a vital tool in tackling housing fraud?
Summary of Cabinet Member’s reply: Thank you for your supplementary question. I confirm that the scheme will continue.
8.10 Question from Councillor Emma Jones
“Given the Council's health scrutiny review of access to GPs and dentists, how many residents of the borough are still not registered with a dentist?”
Response (by Mayor Lutfur Rahman)
The most appropriate measure of access used by the Department of Health is - the percentage of adult population who have had an appointment with an NHS dentist in the last 24 months. The figure for Tower Hamlets is 46.9% - this is the most up to date figure available and it is from the end of February 2011.
We are continuing to improve on this figure. Improving dental access is a priority and it is shown as such in the NHS’ Commissioning Strategy Plan for 2011-14.
[Note: The above response was given on the basis of information available at the time. Since the meeting the detailed figures have been confirmed as follows:- As at 31st December 2010, 46.9% of the adult population had had an appointment with an NHS dentist within the last 24 months. The March 2011 quarter figures are not yet available but our local figure for the end of February 2011 was 47.25%.]
Summary of supplementary question: The scrutiny review recommended a range of measures to improve accessibility to GPs and dentists. Can the Mayor comment on progress in relation to the actions taken?
Summary of Mayor’s reply: Thank you for your supplementary question. I congratulate the Health Scrutiny Panel on their work and the challenge session confirmed that progress has been made. I will provide the Councillor with a detailed update outside of this meeting.
In accordance with Rule 12.10 (expiry of the time limit), questions 8.11 to 8.19 were not put at the meeting. Written responses would be forwarded to the questioners.
Supporting documents: