(Under provisions of Article 6 Para 6.02 V of the Constitution).

The following items have been “called in” for further consideration by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its meeting to be held on 6 November 2012. Should the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, upon consideration, refer the item back to the Cabinet for further consideration Members will receive a copy of the report and the decision/ recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at the Cabinet meeting.

a)    Review of Tower Hamlets Art Work

b)    Mayor’s Mainstream Grants Programme

(i)  Cabinet Decision “Called in” Review of Tower Hamlets Art Work (CAB 35/123)

Reference from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, held on 6 November 2012, Tabled by the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Decision

1.       That the advice /comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, as detailed in the Tabled Reference (CAB 47/123) be noted.

2.       That the provisional decision of the Cabinet, made on  3 October 2012, in relation to the Review of Tower Hamlets Art Work (CAB 35/123) be reaffirmed.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR COMMUNITIES, LOCALITIES AND CULTURE (S. HALSEY)

Interim Service Head Culture, Learning and Leisure Services (H. Bonfield)

(ii)  Cabinet Decision “Called in” Mayor’s Strategic MSG Programme  (CAB 40/123)

Reference from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, held on 6 November 2012, Tabled by the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Decision

1.       That the advice /comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, as detailed in the Tabled Reference (CAB 48/123) be noted;

2.       That it be noted that the Mayor was proposing to withdraw the Mainstream Grants report on the agenda to allow for further consideration of all the issues raised.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR DEVELOPMENT AND RENEWAL (A. DALVI)

Service Head Resources, D&R (C. Holme)

Service Head Resources, CSF (K. Bingham)

Service Head Culture, Learning and Leisure (H. Bonfield)

Service Head Commissioning and Strategy (D. Cohen)

5.2(i) Cabinet Decision “called-in”:  Mayor’s Mainstream Grants Programme

The Mayor informed members of the Cabinet that:

·         Councillor Ann Jackson, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC), had Tabled a reference (CAB 48/123) setting out the deliberations of the OSC, held on 6 November 2012, in respect of the decision of the Executive Mayor in Cabinet, on 3 October 2012, made in relation to the report “Mayor’s Mainstream Grants Programme” (CAB 40/123).

Councillor Ann Jackson, Chair of the OSC, addressed the Mayor and Cabinet

in relation to the tabled reference and recommendations made by OSC in referring this matter back to the Cabinet for further consideration. She highlighted particular issues that OSC had discussed including:

·         Whether proper decision making processes had been followed and documentation provided, including an Equalities Impact Assessment.

·         Had officer recommendations been significantly changed by the Executive, and if so, why.

·         Whether the geographical spread of grants was balanced.

·         Whether the new organisations identified had the capacity to deliver the required services with a particular concern around the provision of welfare advice.

·         That the OSC were reviewing the process and so they requested appropriate assistance in that review including in the provision of documentation.

The Mayor heard further contributions and then thanked the Chair of OSC for her presentation. He responded to the Call-in, highlighting:

·         He would consider the points raised.

·         It was an important issue that had to be taken seriously.

·         The funding should reach all residents and areas of the Borough.

·         He would be withdrawing Item 7.1 (Main Stream Grants Programme 2012/15) to allow further consideration of the issues.

RESOLVED

1.       That the advice/comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, as detailed in the Tabled Reference (CAB 48/123) be noted.

2.       That it be noted that the Mayor had withdrawn the Mainstream Grants report on the agenda to allow for further consideration of all the issues raised.

5.2(ii) Cabinet Decision “called-in”:  Review of Tower Hamlets Art Work

The Mayor informed members of the Cabinet that:

·         Councillor Ann Jackson, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC), had Tabled a reference (CAB 47/123) setting out the deliberations of the OSC, held on 6 November 2012, in respect of the decision of the Executive Mayor in Cabinet, on 3 October 2012, made in relation to the report “Review of Tower Hamlets Art Work” (CAB 35/123).

Councillor Ann Jackson, Chair of the OSC, addressed the Mayor and Cabinet

in relation to the tabled reference and recommendations made by OSC in referring this matter back to the Cabinet for further consideration. She highlighted particular issues that OSC had discussed including:

·         The cultural significance of the statue to the borough.

·         That a number of organisations including the Docklands Museum were willing to host the statue and were able to obtain insurance at a reasonable cost.

·         There was a large petition in favour of keeping the statue.

·         There had been a Council resolution two years ago asking that the statue be brought back to the Borough.

·         Concern that the decision was being rushed and questions as to the true financial worth of the statue.

The Mayor then received representations from Cabinet Members and others at the meeting who raised a number of issues including:

·         Officers stated the statue was uninsurable and similar statues elsewhere had been stolen.

·         Unsuccessful attempts had been made to find a suitable home for the statue.

·         Selling the statue would not prevent a new owner from publically displaying it at an appropriate venue.

·         Any funds raised could be invested back into the local community, for example in housing or cultural facilities such as libraries.

The Mayor thanked all those who been involved in the debate. He stated that having heard all the arguments he was satisfied with his original decision and accordingly:

RESOLVED

1.       That the advice/comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, as detailed in the Tabled Reference (CAB 47/123) be noted.

2.       That the decision of the Cabinet, made on 3 October 2012, in relation to the Review of Tower Hamlets Art Work (CAB 35/123) be reaffirmed.