Agenda item
TO RECEIVE WRITTEN QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
The questions which have been received from members of the public for this Council meeting are set out in the attached report.
A maximum period of 20 minutes is allocated to this agenda item.
Decision:
6.1 Question from Ms Victoria Kent regarding Ability Bow.
6.2 Question from Ms Shuily Akthar (put by Mr Rahman in Ms Akthar’s absence) about the Mayor’s view on Free Schools and Academies.
6.3 Question from Mr Brian Nicholson about the use of the proceeds from the Henry Moore statue sale.
6.4 Question from Mr Shamsur Rahman regarding the Holland Estate.
6.5 Question from Mr Mosrur Ahmed about the Decent Homes initiative in relation to Bancroft and Rogers estates.
6.6 Question from Mr Abul Bashar about the Decent Homes initiative in relation to the Bancroft estate.
6.7 Question from Ms Tessa Horvath regarding violence against women.
The above questions and in each case (except where indicated) a supplementary question were put and were responded to by the relevant Executive Member.
(Action by: John S. Williams, Service Head, Democratic Services – to arrange written responses)
Minutes:
6.1 Question from Ms Victoria Kent regarding Ability Bow.
Ability Bow helps people with disabilities to achieve independent living through the provision of supported exercise and healthy living activities. Now all Ability Bow’s statutory funding from TH has been taken away, how does the Mayor intend to support disabled residents to maintain their fitness and wellbeing and prevent them all from repeated returns to NHS services?
Response by Councillor Alibor Choudhury, Cabinet Member for Resources
First of all, let me congratulate you on the excellent work you do. It is a tragedy that as a result of the government’s cuts to the NHS your organisation has lost out.
NHS Tower Hamlets funded Ability Bow during 2011-12 on a clearly stipulated non-recurrent basis with around £100,000. Because of the Tory-led government’s cuts, further funding was not available for this year so the council stepped in.
We found £50,000 to take Ability Bow up to September this year. Very shortly we hope to be able to announce further funding to take you through to March 2013
We’re doing all we can to fight the impact of government cuts on the community and will keep up that fight despite the propaganda and misrepresentation from the political opportunists across the chamber.
Summary of Supplementary Question from Ms Victoria Kent
We appreciate your efforts to deal with our current crisis, but what safeguards will be put in place in relation to future tendering processes?
Summary of Councillor Alibor Choudhury’s response to the Supplementary Question
This is on our radar and is something that we can consider as the public health function moves to the Council.
6.2 Question from Ms Shuily Akthar (put by Mr Rahman in Ms Akthar’s absence) about the Mayor’s view on Free Schools and Academies.
What is the Mayor’s view on free schools and can he update us on the status of Culloden School on becoming academy status?
Response by Councillor Oliur Rahman, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services
The Mayor and Cabinet Members do not support the establishment of academies or free schools as we believe our state schools offer an outstanding service. However if schools do become academies we will work closely with the schools and the DfE to ensure a smooth transition and minimum disruption for pupils and staff, in this case at Culloden and Old Ford Primary Schools.
This administration’s view of Free Schools and academies is that they are not the best way to provide an inclusive education that allows young people to fully experience the social and cultural diversity of the borough. This administration believes that the way forward is increased investment in the current model.
It is clear that some Labour Councillors are supporting this defying their national party’s policy. For example the minutes of the Planning Committee show that Councillor Denise Jones advocated the establishment of a free school.
Given the excellent progress made by the borough’s students in the last few years – especially last year’s the 8.6 per cent rise in GCSE results that’s put us 2.1 per cent above the national average - it is clear that the borough’s state schools are not just working but delivering excellence.
Summary of Supplementary Question from Mr Rahman
The Deputy Mayor attended the consultation meetings regarding the change of status for Culloden School and met with parents to discuss their concerns. Where were the other two ward Councillors and why did they not attend?
Summary of Councillor Oliur Rahman’s response to the Supplementary Question
I do not know. Perhaps they were busy on other business. It will be for the electors of East India and Lansbury Ward to draw their conclusions.
[Following the above question and response Councillor Denise Jones gave a point of personal explanation. She stated that she had spoken at the Development Committee on behalf of her constituents who were seeking to establish a free school.]
6.3 Question from Mr Brian Nicholson about the use of the proceeds from the Henry Moore statue sale.
How will the Mayor use the proceeds from the Henry Moore statue?
Response by Councillor Rania Khan, Cabinet Member for Culture
At September’s Cabinet meeting, the Mayor indicated he wanted to spend this money on social housing, heritage and culture, young and older people’s projects.
We don’t know exactly how much will be raised so it is hard to be precise but there are a couple of items on tonight’s agenda that might benefit - Cllr Snowdon has a question about War Memorials ahead of the Centenary of the First World War and Cllr Theinel has one about ‘Cockney Day.’
While Councils like Labour-led Newcastle are having to slash arts and culture funds, this sale would let us use Henry Moore’s legacy to safeguard ours in tough times. And of course, the Mayor is committed to using some of the funds for new social housing.
Summary of Supplementary Question from Mr Brian Nicholson
Can the Mayor assure us that the legacy of Henry Moore will live on to benefit local people?
Summary of Councillor Rania Khan’s response to the Supplementary Question
Yes I can. The proceeds from the sale will be used to benefit local people. Old Flo was meant to improve people’s lives and she will do that much better if she is used to fund a Henry Moore House providing good quality social housing than if she is tucked away in a museum or in the grounds of a university.
Procedural Motion
Councillor Rabina Khan moved, and Councillor Shahed Ali seconded, a procedural motion – “That under Procedure Rule 14.1.3 the order of business be altered to consider Motion 12.6 ‘Increasing affordable housing provision in Tower Hamlets’ immediately”.
The procedural motion was put to the vote and was lost.
Procedural Motion
Councillor Motin Uz-Zaman moved, and Councillor Joshua Peck seconded, a procedural motion – “That under Procedure Rule 14.1.3 the order of business be altered to consider Motion 12.11 ‘Motion on the sale of Henry Moore Sculpture’ immediately”.
The procedural motion was put to the vote and was agreed.
12.11 Motion on the sale of Henry Moore Sculpture
Councillor Denise Jones moved, and Councillor Anwar Khan seconded the motion as printed in the agenda.
Councillor Peter Golds moved, Councillor David Snowdon seconded, an amendment to the motion, adding in three bullet points from motion 12.1 on the same subject, under ‘This Council notes’. The amendment was accepted by Councillor Denise Jones and Councillor Anwar Khan.
Following debate, the motion as amended was put to the vote and was agreed. Accordingly it was:-
RESOLVED
This Council believes:
· That the sculpture Draped Seated Woman (‘Old Flo’) belongs to the people of Tower Hamlets and should be retained by the council and displayed in a public place in Tower Hamlets
· That the sculpture was sold at a discounted price to the London County Council by the artist Henry Moore because he believed that art is beneficial, and should be accessible, to all, including the East End’s working class, not just those rich enough to be able to afford to own it
· That Moore based the sculpture on his Wartime Shelter drawings of East End resident sheltering in the Central Line at Liverpool Street and elsewhere, and this gives the sculpture even greater connection to the people of East London, where thousands of people died during the war and 172 were killed in the Bethnal Green tube disaster.
· That the council should respect the wishes of the artist that it should be displayed for public enjoyment as a symbol of peace.
· That the sculpture is part of Tower Hamlets’ cultural and heritage legacy and once sold will leave a void in that legacy
This Council notes:
- That at a Full Council Meeting in 2010 the Council unanimously agreed a motion proposed by Cllr Archer to bring the statue back to Tower Hamlets and display it for the benefit of all local residents.
- That Mayor Rahman now plans to sell the statue, following no consultation with the people of this Borough
- That the Mayor, by selling the statue, is riding roughshod over the unanimous Overview and Scrutiny Committee decision that he must think again, and the unanimous Full Council Motion from 2010 demanding the statue be moved back to Tower Hamlets.
This Council further believes:
· That despite the huge funding challenges facing the Council, a £5-20million capital receipt from this sale will make little impact on a £44million deficit predicted in 2016/17.
· As a capital receipt this money cannot in the long-term be used to fund on-going service provision, or fill the gap created by Government cuts.
· That the Mayor tried to sell the sculpture when he was Leader of the Council, before the Council faced its current budget cuts, and so he cannot claim that this is his motivation.
· That the Mayor’s claims that the sculpture cannot be safely returned to Tower Hamlets have been proved to be untrue, as a number of organisations – including the Museum of London at Docklands, Queen Mary University, the Friends of Christ Church Spitalfields and a local school – have all offered to house it in publicly accessible places, with other organisations including the Art Fund and Whitechapel Gallery offering their expertise in transporting and maintaining the sculpture.
· That the relocation of the sculpture in Tower Hamlets could be a boost to tourism in the borough, and bring economic benefit to local businesses.
· That the Council owns numerous pieces of public art that could be at risk of sale after the decision to sell this sculpture.
·
That, whilst housing, education and health are
important priorities, they should not be at the expense of the
cultural wellbeing of the borough and its residents.
The Council resolves:
· To condemn the Mayor’s proposed sale of the sculpture, to request that he halts it and secures its return to public display in Tower Hamlets, either on Council land or at one of the institutions which have offered to house it.
6.4 Question from Mr Shamsur Rahman regarding the Holland Estate.
We are concerned about the high service charges and the poor quality of maintenance work in the Holland estate; will the Mayor take our concern up with East End Homes?
Response by Councillor Rabina Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing
Yes, the Mayor has instructed that this issue is raised with the Chief Executive of East End Homes. East End Homes has issued the following statement:
“Following the identification of ‘patterns of failure’ and higher than anticipated repairs expenditure relating to defects around the parapet and parapet gutters on several blocks on the Holland estate, East End Homes have commissioned external consultants (EDA) to work in liaison with East End Homes building surveyors and project management to carry out investigative surveys to a number of blocks on the estate, notably Brune, Bernard, Carter and Barnett Houses. The location of the defects at roof level necessarily requires scaffold access, which unfortunately substantially increases the costs of the work.
Summary of Supplementary Question from Mr Shamsur Rahman
Will the Mayor ask the East End Homes board to review the contract?
Summary of Councillor Rabina Khan’s response to the Supplementary Question
Yes, we will be looking into a review of contracts and the Mayor has instructed that this and other matters relating to the works and service charges are raised with the Chief Executive of East End Homes.
6.5 Question from Mr Mosrur Ahmed about the Decent Homes initiative in relation to Bancroft and Rogers estates.
Is the Decent Homes initiative still in place, if so when will the Bancroft Estate and Rogers Estate areas be worked on?
Response by Councillor Rabina Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing
The Decent Homes initiative is still in place for both Bancroft Estate and Rogers Estate. You will get new kitchens and bathrooms.
This is part of an £168m investment that has already seen more than 1000 properties brought up to the Decent Homes Standard with more due by 2014. The precise dates for the work will be announced as soon as possible.
Of course, keeping homes decent is an ongoing process and as many are brought up to standard, others fall out of repair.
Summary of Supplementary Question from Mr Mosrur Ahmed
What support will be available to young people of Tower Hamlets who want to gain work experience and training with the contractors to improve themselves?
Summary of Councillor Rabina Khan’s response to the Supplementary Question
The Decent Homes programme is being used to help young people with apprenticeships and the Council is working hard to ensure best value is obtained from these opportunities.
It is very important that we achieve value for money and undertake the works as efficiently as possible. To that end we have re-tendered the contracts – the specification for the works is the same but we are aiming to achieve better prices by packaging the works differently and also improve the economic benefits such as employment for local people and increasing the number of apprenticeship places.
6.6 Question from Mr Abul Bashar about the Decent Homes initiative in relation to the Bancroft estate.
Is the Decent Homes initiative still available in Bancroft Estate?
Response by Councillor Rabina Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing
Yes, as I have already told the Council, the Decent Homes initiative is still in place for Bancroft Estate and it will be delivered in partnership with residents. I visited the estate and spoke to residents and it seems that some people have been spreading misinformation on this matter.
Summary of Supplementary Question from Mr Abul Bashar
I have lived on the estate for 30 years and want residents to benefit from the initiative. There have been a lot of rumours and stories in the press causing confusion for residents. Can anything be done about that?
Summary of Councillor Rabina Khan’s response to the Supplementary Question
I sympathise about the confusion that is being caused by these untrue stories and I can assure you that the Mayor will continue to do everything possible – despite the climate of cuts and austerity – to make sure that the Bancroft Estate and all other social housing across the borough is at the standard our residents deserve.
6.7 Question from Ms Tessa Horvath regarding violence against women.
We are pleased that the council has recently committed to recognising prostitution as a form of violence against women. We are concerned however that women in street-based prostitution continue to be punished through police arrests which is exacerbating the victimisation these women face. Will the council therefore commit to including an outcome in the new Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy to significantly reduce the number of arrests of women involved in prostitution?
Response by Councillor Ohid Ahmed, Deputy Mayor
We agree that arresting women is not the best way to help them exit sex working. That’s why we’ve developed the Violence Against Women strategy that you mentioned and why it recognises prostitution as a form of violence against women
We’re working with partners, including the 3rd Sector to set up clear alternatives to arrest. This is combined with a renewed focus on pimps and on the buyers of sex- these are the people we need to go after, not vulnerable women.
Summary of Supplementary Question from Ms Tessa Horvath
I am concerned about a lack of support services, particularly outreach, to help women exit prostitution, what will be in the strategy to help on that front?
Summary of Councillor Ohid Ahmed’s response to the Supplementary Question
We will be working with our partners to develop an effective strategy and I look forward to talking to all interested parties including yourself in this regard.
Supporting documents: