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 Carli Harper-Penman regarding the recent announcement by the Ministry of Defence that a high velocity missile system is to be located within the Bow Quarter.
8.2 Question from Councillor David Snowdon regarding publishing by Social Landlords of all spending over £500.
8.3 Question from Councillor Shiria Khatun regarding proposed charges for bulk rubbish collection and rat control (no supplementary question was put)
8.4 Question from Councillor Fozol Miah regarding the result of the Bradford West by-election and associated matters.
8.5 Question from Councillor Bill Turner regarding the numbers of children on roll at the new free schools in the borough who are eligible for free school meals.
8.6 Question from Councillor Peter Golds regarding speed humps on Jesus Green, E2.
8.7 Question from Councillor Ann Jackson regarding Council support for residents affected by the Government’s reduction in rent and council tax benefit?
8.8 Question from Councillor Harun Miah regarding a multi-faceted approach to drug use and dependency affecting young people in Tower Hamlets.
8.9 Question from Councillor Rachael Saunders regarding the closure of the in house domiciliary homecare service.
The above questions and in each case (except where indicated) a supplementary question were put and were answered by the relevant Executive Member.
Questions 8.10 to 8.22 were not put as the time allowed for this agenda item had expired. Written responses will be provided for each question.
(Action by: John S. Williams, Service Head, Democratic Services – to
arrange written responses
Isobel Cattermole, Acting Corporate Director, Children, Schools
and Families – see Q8.5 – Cabinet Member gave commitment to write with Mayor to DfE
Stephen Halsey, Corporate Director, Communities, Localities
and Culture – see Q 8.6 – Cabinet Member stated that officers will investigate and bring forward recommendations for local consultation.)
Minutes:
The Service Head, Democratic Services, referred to points made earlier by Members with regard to the Mayor’s responses to questions and indicated that the Mayor’s Scheme of Delegation notified to the Annual Council Meeting earlier that evening allowed the Mayor to delegate responsibility for replies to Cabinet members where these fell within their delegated portfolios.
The questions below and in each case (except where indicated) a supplementary question were put and were answered by the relevant Executive Member.
8.1 Question from Councillor Carli Harper-Penman:
Following the recent announcement by the Ministry of Defence that a high velocity missile system is to be located within the Bow Quarter, can the Mayor update Council about the discussions that have taken place with the MoD and the steps that he will be taking to ensure that residents of Tower Hamlets are not endangered or unduly inconvenienced by the presence of such a system?
Response by Deputy Mayor, Councillor Ohid Ahmed
The Ministry of Defence did provide a verbal briefing to the Acting Chief Executive that confirmed that they were considering the possibility of installing missiles in the borough along with several other boroughs. This information was provided under strict secrecy.
The Acting Chief Executive expressed concern directly to the MoD that it should do all it can to minimise risk to local people.
However the Council has no powers to prevent the installation of these weapons in our borough.
Clearly having armed ordnance in a residential area, however well managed, must raise concerns with the immediate local population. We will vigorously support local residents in making representations to Government and to the MoD and by raising directly their concerns where we can.
Ward councillors formed part of the discussions on this issue.
Summary of supplementary question from Councillor Carli Harper-Penman
Poor communications around this whole issue has created worries for residents. At a meeting with the Interim Chief Executive I was informed that the MoD would write to residents apologising for the way in which the matter had been handled. Do you agree it is unacceptable that no such letter has yet been issued to residents?
Summary of response to the supplementary question
Yes, a letter has already been sent to the MoD in those terms.
8.2 Question from Councillor David Snowdon:
Will the Mayor urge Social Landlords in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets to publish all their spending over £500, in line with Viridian and Home Group’s example?
Response by Councillor Rabina Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing
The Mayor and I absolutely agree that Social Landlords should publish their spending over £500.
However we don’t think this call for transparency goes far enough.
I was interested to read last week George Monbiot’s article demanding that freedom of information laws should be extended to the private sector. The national government is pushing forward an agenda which involves the greater involvement of the private sector in public service delivery. We are all realising the drastic impact the Health and Social Care Bill will have on the NHS and the financial benefits that will be reaped for large companies.
We often talk in politics that rights come with responsibilities. Well, it is only right that the privileged access to public contracts comes with greater responsibility in terms of scrutiny.
Summary of supplementary question from Councillor David Snowdon
Social Landlords should be bound by the same rules as local councils. Can I have an undertaking that Social Landlords will only be used as Preferred Development Partners if they sign up to the same degree of transparency that applies to this Council?
Summary of response to supplementary question
Yes, the Mayor and I agree that Social Landlords should publish details of items of expenditure of more than £500.
8.3 Question from Councillor Shiria Khatun:
Can the Mayor explain what he has done regarding his proposed charges for bulk rubbish collection & rat control?
Response by Councillor Shahed Ali, Cabinet Member for Environment
We as a Council have agreed that a £15 charge is introduced for bulk waste collections in 2012/13.
In order to minimise any adverse impact of this proposal to vulnerable residents within the borough, two free collections per year will be offered to those in receipt of Housing Benefit.
It has never been our intention to introduce charges for rat treatment in the current financial year. It is proposed to introduce charges from April 2013, although most social housing tenants will continue to receive free treatment since their landlords have block treatment agreements with the Council.
(No supplementary question was put)
8.4 Question from Councillor Fozol Miah:
Would the Mayor join with me in congratulating the former MP for Bethnal Green and Bow, George Galloway, on his landslide victory in the Bradford West by-election and would he agree with me that this extraordinary election result, gained in one of the shortest by-election campaigns ever as a result of the choice of the Labour Party, shows enormous dissatisfaction with the old established parties and a desire for change, a desire expressed in Tower Hamlets in the election of an independent mayor for Tower Hamlets and the election of Respect and an independent councillor in successive by-elections in the Spitalfields and Banglatown ward?
Response by Deputy Mayor, Councillor Ohid Ahmed
I think this and the recent local election results, and the fact that Ed Miliband is riding high in the polls, reflect to different degrees increasing frustration among the voters about the impact of austerity.
The more anti-austerity voices we have in parliament and local councils the better.
Unfortunately, another expression of the current climate is a cynicism about politics.
It is important that we redouble our efforts to re-engage people that are disaffected from the democratic process.
Summary of supplementary question from Councillor Fozol Miah
It is a matter of regret that the Labour candidate Ken Livingstone failed narrowly in his bid to become Mayor of London. Does the Mayor share my disappointment that Tower Hamlets Labour Party members decided not to campaign strongly for him?
Summary of response to supplementary question
I agree with you and this was very regrettable. On election day I was surprised to see many Labour councillors and activists campaigning only in one ward.
8.5 Question from Councillor Bill Turner:
Will the Mayor outline the numbers of children on roll at the new free schools in the borough who are eligible for free school meals? Do any other organisations with which the Council has an existing relationship in other ways propose to open free schools in the borough, and if so what discussions has the Council had with such organisations. Does he support or oppose any such plans which they may have and does he share the view of the Labour Group that the universal provision of excellent comprehensive education is the best way of ensuring that our children get the education they need?
Response by Councillor Oliur Rahman, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services
The numbers of children enrolled in Free Schools on free school meals is not provided to the local authority but to the Department of Education who will not allow this information to be released to us for publication.
Summary of supplementary question from Councillor Bill Turner
I accept that the DfE have been less than helpful but given that there are a number of free schools in the borough and it is clear that they are not serving the whole community, may I suggest that you write in strong terms to the DfE asking that the Council should have details of these figures?
Summary of response to supplementary question
I share many of Councillor Turner’s views on this matter and have shared a number of phone conversations with him. I will send a letter jointly with the Mayor asking for the information requested. He may be aware that information published on a blog in relation to one of the free schools in the borough suggests that school has just 2% of pupils entitled to free school meals, compared to the borough average of 48%.
8.6 Question from Councillor Peter Golds:
Will the Mayor inform the council when he decided to install speed humps on Jesus Green, E2, and what consultation took place for this particular proposal?
Response by Councillor Shahed Ali, Cabinet Member for Environment
It is crucial that the young and elderly are free from the fear of traffic accidents.
We have asked officers to investigate the concerns of local residents regarding speeding vehicles in this area.
Based on their assessment of the situation, officers will bring forward recommendations and proposals for local consultation.
Summary of supplementary question from Councillor Peter Golds
Thank you, but what was happening in this area at the time to cause the Mayor to issue an instruction to officers to install speed humps, or to claim that he did so? When was that instruction given, was it far from 3rd May 2012?
Summary of response to supplementary question
Officers have been asked to investigate concerns raised by local residents and when that investigation is complete, we will be informed of the outcome.
8.7 Question from Councillor Ann Jackson:
Can the Mayor detail how the Council is supporting residents who are affected by the Government’s reduction in rent and council tax benefit?
Response by Councillor Rabina Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing
Thank you for your question. As lead member for housing, the Mayor and I are extremely concerned about the impact the government welfare cuts will have on local residents.
First, I would like to reassure you that this year’s budget absorbed the central government cut to Council benefit.
In terms of Welfare Benefit changes, the Mayor and I have taken a lead role in ensuring the Council and partners are prepared for the impact central government changes will have on residents in the borough.
We have developed a partnership approach, drawing in RSLs, advice agencies, THH and all Council directorates. This approach was initiated through the Welfare Reform Congress where many of our partners signed up to a Welfare Reform Pledge. It is now being furthered by a cross organisation officer group.
Some of the mitigating actions we are proposing include: Using our discretionary housing payments, contacting residents both through letters and home visits, staff briefings, working with advice services and liaising with landlords and others.
Summary of supplementary question from Councillor Ann Jackson
Has Tower Hamlets been late in starting to deal with this issue and has the Mayor met Ministers yet for discussions?
Summary of response to supplementary question
We have not been late in recognising the issues. It is essential that we have all the relevant information before approaching the Minister.
8.8 Question from Councillor Harun Miah
Would the Mayor agree with me that drug use and dependency constitutes a major threat to the well-being of our young people in Tower Hamlets and would he also agree that there has to be a multi-faceted approach if we are to get on top of this problem, including education, job opportunities for young people as well as the appropriate use of the criminal law and would he outline recent initiatives on this matter?
Response by Councillor Oliur Rahman, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services
Thank you for your question. I agree that drug use and dependency constitutes a threat to the well-being of our young people and their families in Tower Hamlets.
Our multi-agency approach includes a range of interventions to support young people including education, training and job opportunities.
We have developed a strategy which sets out how we will develop services for young people which will focus on prevention, early intervention, targeted and specialist services.
The provision of education and job opportunities for young people is central to the Mayor’s priorities and this administration continues to ensure that young people become well-rounded adults, who are committed to learning and development and contribute to economic prosperity.
Summary of supplementary question from Councillor Harun Miah
Thank you. In the current economic situation, how long will these measures continue to be provided?
Summary of response to supplementary question
We will continue to monitor budgetary issues but I would assure you that these services will continue to be provided as long as they can be financially accommodated. And we will be looking further at how to give young people support to ensure they become good citizens.
8.9 Question from Councillor Rachael Saunders:
On what basis did the Mayor make his decision to close the in house domiciliary homecare service?
Response by Councillor Abdul Asad, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing
The decision to change the in-house domiciliary homecare service was decided under this administration and supported by the Labour Group. The Mayor agreed with this plan and put it into my budget in February 2011.
Referrals to the in house service for longer term packages of care were ended in October 2009, and the volume of longer term care provided by the in house service has therefore been reducing since that time.
A lot of work has been going on behind the scenes to ensure good services for our elderly residents. That is why this Council has been awarded for the last six years an excellent service rating and we will continue to improve the quality of our services.
Summary of supplementary question from Councillor Rachael Saunders
It is exactly because our in-house service is award-winning that I appeal to you not to close it. Previously the decision was taken in 2009 to accept no further referrals to the in-house homecare service. Since then, reablement and personalisation have become a reality and since then service users have told us that what some of them want is a reliable in-house service that will be there year on year regardless of changes in contracts. Labour has listened and we now have an explicit policy to maintain a small in-house service. Why will you not listen to those service users?
Summary of response to supplementary question
Thank you. The externalisation policy of domiciliary care was agreed in 2004 under a Labour-controlled Council and since then the Council has been making plans to ensure that residents continue to receive good services. In terms of any individual cases, I would be happy to discuss these outside of this meeting.
Questions 8.10 to 8.22 were not put as the time allowed for this agenda item had expired. Written responses subsequently provided for each question are attached as Appendix A to these minutes.
Supporting documents: