MR L. RAHMAN (MAYOR) IN THE CHAIR

MAYOR’S WELCOME

·                    Welcomed all those present to the first Cabinet meeting of the new Council Year.

·                    Made an opening statement comprising the following key elements:-

o                   Highlighting important recent events in his role as Mayor:

Ø                  Visit by former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, a celebration of the historic links between Tower Hamlets and Bangladesh.

Ø                  Launching the Tower Hamlets ‘City Bid’ with high profile support (Canary Wharf Group, the Tower of London and the City of London), positioning the borough as the key location for the future of London and the country and enabling the definition and acknowledgement of the Borough’s values as part of modern Britain.

Ø                  Council and Third Sector events: conference on preventing violent extremism, interfaith forum on tackling homophobia and the annual Third Sector Advisory Board meeting. Events highlighting the thriving civil society in Tower Hamlets, and the importance of the Council working in partnership with these groups to help improve the lives of the borough’s residents. This was at the heart of the Community Plan, which had been refreshed and would be considered later in the proceedings.

o                   Highlighting proposals on the agenda before the Cabinet for consideration that would bring increased investment in Tower Hamlets and demonstrated the Mayor’s commitment to optimising the leverage of resources into the borough, which was especially important in the context of the coming Budget round and the prospect of further cuts in funding by the Coalition Government:

Ø                 Children, Schools and Families Capital Programme enabling schools to expand and meet the needs of residents.

Ø                 New admissions policy for schools which would enable more residents to have access to a school within walking distance of home.

Ø                 Award of contract for the Children’s Rights Advocacy Service which would help protect the most vulnerable residents.

o                   Commenting that the review of East End Life, that he had requested in January 2011, highlighted the benefits of the news paper: providing a cost effective way to publish statutory notices and provide news to all communities in Tower Hamlets in multiple languages., but also that this could be accomplished with a smaller budget.

o                   Highlighting proposals on the agenda before the Cabinet for consideration regarding capital investment in social housing and the achievement of Decent Homes (DH):

Ø                  In Tower Hamlets there were approximately 9,000 homes needing work to achieve the DH standard. He had pledged, during his election campaign, that at least 50% of the homes needing works would be completed during his Mayoralty.

Ø                  He was therefore pleased to announce that he intended to ensure that all 9,000 homes were brought up to DH Standard. This would cost between £135m to £162m. Government had allocated £94.5m to the Council following a bid made by his Administration, the second highest allocation in the country, however he would also use the resources of the Council to make up the shortfall, which could be as high as £68m. He would use a combination of resources to bridge the gap including the New Homes Bonus, receipts from disposals, efficient procurement and by using planning gain funds.

Ø                  Later in the proceedings he and the Cabinet would consider and agree the first blocks to benefit from this programme and works would start on site in the near future.

Ø                  This would be a major commitment but he considered it absolutely essential to improving the quality of life for thousands of residents and it would begin to address the lack of attention which had blighted much of the Council’s housing stock for so long.

ADJOURNMENT

At this juncture the Mayor informed those present that before he and his Cabinet proceeded to consideration of the substantive business set out in the agenda, there would be an opportunity for the public to put questions to himself, the Deputy Mayor, and other Members comprising the Cabinet who were present. Accordingly the Mayor agreed the following:

Decision

That the Cabinet adjourn for a short period of up to 15 minutes, at 5.35pm, and that the meeting reconvene thereafter.

The meeting adjourned at 5.40pm

The meeting reconvened at 5.41pm

Question & Answer Session

The Mayor asked those present in the public gallery whether they had any questions for himself or members of the Cabinet.

No questions were received.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for lateness were received on behalf of:

·                    Councillor Rania Khan, Cabinet Member for Regeneration.

·                    Councillor Oliur Rahman, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services.

Noted.

Apologies for lateness were received on behalf of:

·                    Councillor Rania Khan, Cabinet Member for Regeneration.

·                    Councillor Oliur Rahman, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services.

Noted.

To note any declarations of interest made by Members, including those restricting Members from voting on the questions detailed in Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act, 1992.  See attached note from the Chief Executive.

Councillor Ohid Ahmed declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 7.2 “Determination of School Admission Arrangements for 2012/13 (CAB 003/112). The declaration of interest was made on the basis that the report contained recommendations relating to the Authority’s School Admission Arrangements and Councillor Ahmed’s daughter attended Culloden School in Tower Hamlets.

Noted.

Action by:

ASSISTANT CHIEF EXECUTIVE - LEGAL SERVICES (I. FREEMAN)

Executive Team Leader, Democratic Services, Chief Executive’s (A. Taylor)

Councillor Ohid Ahmed declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 7.2 “Determination of School Admission Arrangements for 2012/13 (CAB 003/112). The declaration of interest was made on the basis that the report contained recommendations relating to the Authority’s School Admission Arrangements and Councillor Ahmed’s daughter attended Culloden School in Tower Hamlets.

Noted.

To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Cabinet held on 11^th May 2011.

Decision

That the unrestricted minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Cabinet held on 11^th May 2011 be approved and signed by the Mayor, as a correct record of the proceedings.

Action by:

ASSISTANT CHIEF EXECUTIVE - LEGAL SERVICES (I. FREEMAN)

Executive Team Leader, Democratic Services, Chief Executive’s (A. Taylor)

The Mayor agreed the following:

Decision

That the unrestricted minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Cabinet held on 11^th May 2011 be approved and signed by the Mayor, as a correct record of the proceedings.

To receive any petitions.

Nil items.

The clerk advised that the Assistant Chief Executive (Legal Services) had received no requests for petitions in respect of the business contained in the agenda.

To receive any advice of key issues or questions in relation to the unrestricted business of the Cabinet, arising from the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 7^th June 2011.

Decision

That the comments/ advice of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in relation to the policy framework report at agenda item 10.1 “Tower Hamlets Community Plan Refresh 2011” (CAB 005/112), as reported orally by the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, be noted; and that these be given consideration during the Cabinet deliberation of the items of business to which the comments/ advice related.

Action by:

ASSISTANT CHIEF EXECUTIVE – LEGAL SERVICES (I. FREEMAN)

Executive Team Leader, Democratic Services, Chief Executive’s (A. Taylor)

Councillor Jackson, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC), addressed members of the Cabinet:

·                    Outlining the key elements of a leaner work programme during the coming Council year.

·                    Reporting the appointment by the OSC of six Scrutiny Lead Members, with portfolio responsibilities aligned to the Council’s six directorates.

·                    Orally reporting the comments/ advice of the OSC arising from discussion of the policy framework report before the Mayor/ Cabinet for consideration “Tower Hamlets Community Plan Refresh 2011” (agenda item 10.1):

o                   Broadly endorsed the proposals for a refreshed Community Plan.

o                   Insufficient explicit reference to culture, given the unique diversity of the borough and the importance of this.

o                   Welcomed the focus on supporting residents through welfare reform.

o                   Welcomed the focus on story of place, but consideration that there was a lack of clarity as to how to take that forward.

o                   Discussed citizen engagement and the need for more focus on consultation in context of localisation.

o                   Consideration that measures of performance were appropriate, however robust targets needed to be set to ensure performance was maintained/ improved, particularly given the cessation of performance targets/ monitoring by Central Government.

·                    Reporting consideration of the Annual Complaints Report and the reports “Supporting New Communities” and “Empowering Small and Medium Sized Enterprises”.

The Mayor thanked Councillor Jackson for presenting the contribution of the OSC and agreed the following:

Decision

That the comments/ advice of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in relation to the policy framework report at agenda item 10.1 “Tower Hamlets Community Plan Refresh 2011” (CAB 005/112), as reported orally by the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, be noted; and that these be given consideration during the Cabinet deliberation of the items of business to which the comments/ advice related.

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

Nil items.

Nil items.

The Clerk advised that no provisional decisions made by the Mayor/ Cabinet, at its meeting held on 11^th May 2011, had been referred back to the Mayor/ Cabinet, by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, for further consideration.

Decision

1.         That the principles for the delivery of the backlog Decent Homes Programme, as outlined in paragraphs 6.9 to 6.11 of the report (CAB 001/112), be agreed, and the capital estimates for 2011/12 and 2012/13 for the schemes set out in Appendix 2 to the report (see paragraph 6.8) be adopted, subject to the identification of available resources;

2.         That the use of the City West Homes “Frameworx” procurement framework to deliver the first two years of the Decent Homes programme, as outlined in paragraph 6.15 of the report (CAB 001/112), be approved, and the Corporate Director Development and Renewal be authorised after consultation with the Assistant Chief Executive (Legal Services) to appoint the contractors that are successful in the “mini-tendering” exercise within the framework agreement, as outlined in paragraph 6.15.8 of the report (CAB 001/112);

3.         That capital estimates for 2011/12 in respect of the Mainstream Housing Programme, as set out in Appendix 4 of the report (CAB 001/112), be adopted. This estimate includes a contingency of £1,000,000 for urgent works, as outlined in paragraph 7 of the report;

4          That a capital estimate for the award of Disabled Facilities Grants (£1,000,000), as outlined in paragraph 8.1 of the report (CAB 001/112), be adopted;

5          That a capital estimate of £500,000 to fund Overcrowding Reduction Initiatives, as outlined in paragraph 8.2 of the report (CAB 001/112), be adopted;

6          That capital estimates for the Aids and Adaptations programme (£750,000), the Capitalisation of Voids (£1,500,000) and the Capitalisation of Fees and Salaries (£650,000), as outlined in paragraph 8.3. of the report (CAB 001/112), be adopted; 

7.         That a supplementary capital estimate of £423,500 in respect of the Section 106 Health Provision financing of the St Andrew’s Health and Well-being Centre, as outlined  in paragraph 9.1.1 of the report (CAB 001/112), be adopted; and

8.                  That the Assistant Chief Executive be authorised to enter into all necessary documents to implement the decisions made in respect of the report (CAB 001/112).

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR  DEVELOPMENT & RENEWAL (A. DALVI)

Service Head Strategy, Innovation & Sustainability, Development and Renewal (J. Odunoye)

Finance Manager, Development & Renewal (P. Leeson)

Councillor Rabina Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing, at the request of the Mayor, in introducing the report, summarised the key points contained therein, highlighting in particular:-

·                    That under the Mayor’s leadership the Authority had submitted a bid to Government for Decent Homes backlog funding amounting to £130 million, however due to heavy oversubscription for the available funding Tower Hamlets had been awarded £94.5 million. The shortfall had significantly reduced the amount of money available to spend on each property and ordinarily would impact on the level of work that could be undertaken.

·                    It was clear that the Authority’s housing stock would need further investment both for items that could not be included in the Decent Homes backlog programme and to maintain homes of a decent standard after the backlog programme had completed.

·                    The Mayor’s administration therefore intended that the funding gap should be narrowed independently, by the use of other funding sources, so that all of the Authority’s homes were of Decent Homes standard.

·                    The importance, given that the Coalition Government was not committed to investment in social housing, that resources for Decent Homes were used effectively to deliver a good programme; also that delivery was timely to enable Government release of the next tranche of funding.

There was a question as to whether an Equalities Impact Assessment for the proposals had been carried out. Ms Odunoye, Service Head Strategy Innovation and Sustainability – Development and Renewal, undertook to circulate the EQIA to members of Cabinet.

The Mayor agreed the recommendations as set out in the report.

Decision

1.         That the principles for the delivery of the backlog Decent Homes Programme, as outlined in paragraphs 6.9 to 6.11 of the report (CAB 001/112), be agreed, and the capital estimates for 2011/12 and 2012/13 for the schemes set out in Appendix 2 to the report (see paragraph 6.8) be adopted, subject to the identification of available resources;

2.         That the use of the City West Homes “Frameworx” procurement framework to deliver the first two years of the Decent Homes programme, as outlined in paragraph 6.15 of the report (CAB 001/112), be approved, and the Corporate Director Development and Renewal be authorised after consultation with the Assistant Chief Executive (Legal Services) to appoint the contractors that are successful in the “mini-tendering” exercise within the framework agreement, as outlined in paragraph 6.15.8 of the report (CAB 001/112);

3.         That capital estimates for 2011/12 in respect of the Mainstream Housing Programme, as set out in Appendix 4 of the report (CAB 001/112), be adopted. This estimate includes a contingency of £1,000,000 for urgent works, as outlined in paragraph 7 of the report;

4          That a capital estimate for the award of Disabled Facilities Grants (£1,000,000), as outlined in paragraph 8.1 of the report (CAB 001/112), be adopted;

5          That a capital estimate of £500,000 to fund Overcrowding Reduction Initiatives, as outlined in paragraph 8.2 of the report (CAB 001/112), be adopted;

6          That capital estimates for the Aids and Adaptations programme  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.1

Decision

1.         That the contents of the report (CAB 002/112) and specifically the out-turn in the 2010/11 CSF Programme, detailed in Appendix A, and proposed allocation of the funding available in 2011/12, as detailed in Appendix B, be noted;

2.         That the adoption of capital estimates for 2011/12 capital condition and improvement programme schemes as shown in Appendix C to the report (CAB 002/112), be approved and expenditure authorised, as set out in paragraph 6.10 of the report;

3.         That the additional capital payment of £262,000 to finalise the project at Harry Gosling Primary School, as set out in paragraph 6.12 of the report (CAB 002/112), be approved;

4.         That the specific earmarking of the receipt of £350,000 for Swanlea School to be used only for the school at an appropriate future date, as set out in paragraph 6.15 of the report (CAB 002/112), be approved; 

5.         That the progress with the Primary Capital Programme (PCP) schemes as shown in Appendix D of the report (CAB 002/112) be noted and the revised capital estimates within the overall approved programme of £17.45m, as set out at paragraph 6.18 of the report, be approved; 

6.         That the proposed Primary School Expansion Projects, as detailed in Appendix E and paragraph 6.21 of the report (CAB 002/112), be noted; 

7.         That the increase in the capital estimate to £6.76m from £6.6m for the expansion of Marner Primary School, as set out in paragraph 6.23 of the report (CAB 002/112), be approved; 

8.         That the adoption of a capital estimate of £5.65m for the proposed expansion of Culloden Primary School, as set out in paragraph 6.25 of the report (CAB 002/112), be approved; 

9.         That the adoption of a capital estimate of £5.80m for the proposed expansion of Cayley Primary School, as set out in paragraph 6.28 of the report (CAB 002/112), be approved; 

10.       That the adoption of a capital estimate of £4.0m for the proposed expansion of St Luke’s C of E Primary School, as set out in paragraph 6.34 of the report (CAB 002/112), be approved, subject to the outcome of the consultation;

11.       That the adoption of a capital estimate of £500,000 for the costs of providing additional short term accommodation if required for additional pupils until major works have been carried out to provide permanent additional school places be approved and expenditure authorised as set out in paragraph 6.36 of the report (CAB 002/112);

12.       That the adoption of a capital estimate of £430,000 to cover the costs of developing proposals to be considered for inclusion in the capital programme be approved and expenditure authorised as set out in paragraph 6.37 of the report (CAB 002/112); and

13.       That, in respect of all proposed tenders referred in this report, in the event of the lowest tender for any scheme exceeding the approved budget, the Corporate Director CSF be authorised to prepare and carry out a Bill of Reductions where  ...  view the full decision text for item 7.1

Ms Cattermole, Acting Corporate Director Children, Schools and Families, at the request of the Mayor, in introducing the report, summarised the key points contained therein, highlighting in particular:-

·                    That the proposals regarding investment in the Authority’s primary school estate were very positive, and the implementation of the Building Schools for the Future Programme was a proud achievement for everyone in Tower Hamlets.

·                    Confirmation of the capital funding allocation for 2011/12 was still awaited from Government, as were the allocations for 2012/13 and 2013/14. However funding had been identified for all the projects proposed in the report.

The Mayor commented that the proposals regarding investment in primary schools were good news and agreed the recommendations as set out in the report.

Decision

1.         That the contents of the report (CAB 002/112) and specifically the out-turn in the 2010/11 CSF Programme, detailed in Appendix A, and proposed allocation of the funding available in 2011/12, as detailed in Appendix B, be noted;

2.         That the adoption of capital estimates for 2011/12 capital condition and improvement programme schemes as shown in Appendix C to the report (CAB 002/112), be approved and expenditure authorised, as set out in paragraph 6.10 of the report;

3.         That the additional capital payment of £262,000 to finalise the project at Harry Gosling Primary School, as set out in paragraph 6.12 of the report (CAB 002/112), be approved;

4.         That the specific earmarking of the receipt of £350,000 for Swanlea School to be used only for the school at an appropriate future date, as set out in paragraph 6.15 of the report (CAB 002/112), be approved; 

5.         That the progress with the Primary Capital Programme (PCP) schemes as shown in Appendix D of the report (CAB 002/112) be noted and the revised capital estimates within the overall approved programme of £17.45m, as set out at paragraph 6.18 of the report, be approved; 

6.         That the proposed Primary School Expansion Projects, as detailed in Appendix E and paragraph 6.21 of the report (CAB 002/112), be noted; 

7.         That the increase in the capital estimate to £6.76m from £6.6m for the expansion of Marner Primary School, as set out in paragraph 6.23 of the report (CAB 002/112), be approved; 

8.         That the adoption of a capital estimate of £5.65m for the proposed expansion of Culloden Primary School, as set out in paragraph 6.25 of the report (CAB 002/112), be approved; 

9.         That the adoption of a capital estimate of £5.80m for the proposed expansion of Cayley Primary School, as set out in paragraph 6.28 of the report (CAB 002/112), be approved; 

10.       That the adoption of a capital estimate of £4.0m for the proposed expansion of St Luke’s C of E Primary School, as set out in paragraph 6.34 of the report (CAB 002/112), be approved, subject to the outcome of the consultation;

11.       That the adoption of a capital estimate of £500,000 for the costs of providing additional short term accommodation if  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.1

Councillor Ohid Ahmed declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 7.2 “Determination of School Admission Arrangements for 2012/13 (CAB 003/112). The declaration of interest was made on the basis that the report contained recommendations relating to the Authority’s School Admission Arrangements and Councillor Ahmed’s daughter attended Culloden School in Tower Hamlets.

Decision

1.         That the recommendations for establishing a catchment area system for admission to primary schools, as set out in paragraphs 7.2 - 7.7 of the report (CAB 003/112), be agreed;

2.         That the recommendation for replacing the current ‘tie break’ criterion of distance measurement with a system of electronic ballot, as set out in paragraphs 7.8 – 7.12 of the report (CAB 003/112), be agreed;

3.         That the co-ordinated schemes for admission to primary and secondary schools in 2012/13, as set out at Appendix C to the report (CAB 003/112), be agreed;

4.         That the scheme for ‘In-Year’ Admissions for 2012/13, which include the arrangements for In-Year Transfers, as set out at Appendix D of the report (CAB 003/112), be agreed;

5.         Agree Tower Hamlets as the "relevant area" for admissions purposes, as set out in paragraph 10.1 of the report (CAB 003/112); and

6.         That the planned admission number for each Tower Hamlets School in 2012/13, as set out at Appendix E to the report (CAB 003/112), be agreed.

Action by:

ACTING CORPORATE DIRECTOR, CHILDREN SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES (I. CATTERMOLE)

Service Head, Learning and Achievement, Children Schools and Families(A. Canning)

Head of Pupil Admissions and Exclusions, Learning and Achievement, Children Schools and Families(T. Bryan) 

Councillor Ohid Ahmed declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 7.2 “Determination of School Admission Arrangements for 2012/13 (CAB 003/112). The declaration of interest was made on the basis that the report contained recommendations relating to the Authority’s School Admission Arrangements and Councillor Ahmed’s daughter attended Culloden School in Tower Hamlets.

Ms Cattermole, Acting Corporate Director Children, Schools and Families, at the request of the Mayor, in introducing the report, summarised the key points contained therein, highlighting in particular:-

·                    That there was a statutory obligation on the Council, as an admissions authority for community and voluntary controlled schools in its area, to consult annually with relevant agencies on its admission arrangements; and the outcome of the extensive consultation undertaken was detailed in the report.

·                    The significant changes proposed to the current Primary School Admissions Policy:

o                   Introduction of a ‘catchment area’ system for admission to community primary schools ie assigning each school to 1 of 7 catchment areas, with families being given priority consideration for the primary schools within their catchment areas, but not a guaranteed place. The Council’s objective being to ensure that every Tower Hamlets family would be able to have realistic access to a nearby school place.

o                   Introduction of an ‘Equal Chance’ system or tie break mechanism. For oversubscribed schools this would mean that after children with exceptional circumstances and those with sibling links had been given priority an electronic ballot would be used to allocate places instead of the current home to school distance measurement. The purpose of the mechanism being to enable every child within a catchment area to have an equal chance of gaining a place at their local school and a more equal system to families applying for their preferred school.

o                   Admissions were currently based on a ‘distance model’, which was perceived to be very unfair to parents/ children who lived locally to a school but could not secure a place there because they lived outside the defined distance. Modelling indicated that the proposed changes would provide a much better chance for parents/ children of securing a place at a local school.

o                   The proposed changes were a fairly radical departure from the Authority’s established Admissions Policy and it was considered a lead in time was necessary to develop the proposals in detail and communicate the changes to parents/ children. Consequently the new arrangements would not come into effect until the 2013/14 school year.

·                    The Government had recently issued draft guidance regarding consultation on admissions, and this process would be ongoing until mid/late July. The Authority would respond to the consultation and take account of it in developing any new arrangements and reporting associated progress to Cabinet.

Councillor Oliur Rahman, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, emphasised:

·                    The importance of having measures in place to support residents achieving their first preference school, but also that this could not always be guaranteed due to over-subscription, for example Mulberry Girls School, and parents must recognise this.

·                    One of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.2

Decision

1.         That the Corporate Director of Children,    Schools and Families be authorised to award the contract for the delivery of a Children’s Rights Advocacy service for children looked after by the Council and care leavers to Action for Children;

2.         That the Corporate Director of Children,    Schools and Families be authorised to enter into an appropriate contractual agreement from 2011-2014 (with provision to extend for a further year) on behalf of the Council as below:

3.                  That the Corporate Director Children, Schools and Families be authorised, after consultation with the Assistant Chief Executive (Legal) and the Mayor, to exercise the right in the contract to extend the contract for a further year subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding; noting that the total contract value taking into account the extension would increase to £319,282.

Action by:

ACTING CORPORATE DIRECTOR, CHILDREN SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES (I. CATTERMOLE)

Acting Service Head of Resources , Children Schools and Families  (K. Bingham)

Ms Cattermole, Acting Corporate Director Children, Schools and Families, at the request of the Mayor, in introducing the report, summarised the key points contained therein.

The Mayor agreed the recommendations as set out in the report.

Decision

1.         That the Corporate Director of Children,    Schools and Families be authorised to award the contract for the delivery of a Children’s Rights Advocacy service for children looked after by the Council and care leavers to Action for Children;

2.         That the Corporate Director of Children,    Schools and Families be authorised to enter into an appropriate contractual agreement from 2011-2014 (with provision to extend for a further year) on behalf of the Council as below:

3.                  That the Corporate Director Children, Schools and Families be authorised, after consultation with the Assistant Chief Executive (Legal) and the Mayor, to exercise the right in the contract to extend the contract for a further year subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding; noting that the total contract value taking into account the extension would increase to £319,282.

Reasons for Decisions

These are detailed in paragraphs 3.1 to 3.2 of the report (CAB 004/112)

Alternative Options Considered

These are detailed in paragraph 5.1 of the report (CAB 004/112)

Nil items.

Nil items.

The Clerk advised that there were no business to be considered under this section of the agenda.

Note: Appendix 1 to the report has been circulated in conjunction with this agenda to the Mayor and members of the Cabinet and made available in the two Group rooms, Council Website and put on deposit at the Town Hall Mulberry Place. Should members of the Authority or members of the public wish to have a full copy of this appendix they should contact Mr K. Kewin Deputy Service Head Strategy and Performance, Chief Executive’s on the following number 0207 364 4075 or by email Kevin.kewin@towerhamlets.gov.uk .

Decision

1.         That the process followed for refreshing the Community Plan be noted;

2.         That the Tower Hamlets Community Plan 2011, attached at Appendix 1 to the report (CAB 005/112), be recommended to Full Council for approval; and;

3.         That the Chief Executive, after consultation with the Mayor, be authorised to make appropriate amendments to the Tower Hamlets Community Plan, that are necessary to respond to any late consultation responses, before it is presented to Full Council.

Action by:

ASSISTANT CHIEF EXECUTIVE - LEGAL SERVICES (I. FREEMAN)

Service Head One Tower Hamlets, Chief Executive’s (M. Keating)

Service Manager Strategy Policy and Performance, One Tower Hamlets, Chief Executive’s (K. Kewin)

Ms Freeman, Assistant Chief Executive (Legal Services), at the request of the Mayor, in introducing the report, summarised the key points contained therein.

The Mayor agreed the recommendations as set out in the report.

Decision

1.         That the process followed for refreshing the Community Plan be noted;

2.         That the Tower Hamlets Community Plan 2011, attached at Appendix 1 to the report (CAB 005/112), be recommended to Full Council for approval; and;

3.         That the Chief Executive, after consultation with the Mayor, be authorised to make appropriate amendments to the Tower Hamlets Community Plan, that are necessary to respond to any late consultation responses, before it is presented to Full Council.

Reasons for Decisions

These are detailed in paragraphs 3.1 to 3.4 of the report (CAB 005/112)

Alternative Options Considered

These are detailed in paragraphs 4.1 to 4.2 of the report (CAB 005/112)

Erratum sheet Tabled.

Decision

1.         That a weekly publication of East End Life, reduced in size and cost as set out in Option 1 of the Review attached to the report (CAB 006/112), be adopted. 

Option 1 will include:-

(a)       The implementation of the £200,000 budget reduction agreed by council on 8^th March 2011.

(b)       The adoption of the revised editorial and advertising policies attached to the review document. 

(c)        A redesign of East End Life to further differentiate it from commercial papers.

(d)       That by September 2011 East End Life will have a Pagesuite version available to encourage online usage. 

(e)       That promotion of online access to information (including via My. Tower Hamlets) and monitoring of progress so that when the majority of East End Life readers access material online, the publication’s print-run can be reduced.

(f)         The proposed change of the existing advertising strategy.

2                    That adherence to the Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity shall be made a cornerstone of the editorial policy. 

Action by:

ASSISTANT CHIEF EXECUTIVE - LEGAL SERVICES (I. FREEMAN)

Service Head Communications, Chief Executive’s (T. Sulaiman)

The Mayor informed members of the Cabinet that an Erratum sheet containing revised information, to correct that contained in the original report (CAB 006/112) and a revised report circulated at a later date (CAB 008/112), had been Tabled, a copy of which would be interleaved with the minutes.

Ms Freeman, Assistant Chief Executive (Legal Services), at the request of the Mayor, in introducing the report, summarised the key points contained therein, highlighting in particular:-

·                    A Review of East End Life (EEL) had been undertaken following the Mayor’s request at Cabinet in January 2011.The Terms of Reference for the review were detailed at Appendix 2 to the report and included guiding principles such as value for money, taking account of resident views, the Authority’s duty to promote various services and the need to have regard to the statutory and regulatory framework such as the new Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity (the Code), the 7 key principles for which were set out at paragraph 5.4 of the report.

·                    The review had also taken account of inclusion within the Authority’s Budget, agreed by full Council in March 2011, of a saving in the EEL budget of £200,000.

·                    The outcome of resident consultation feeding into the review were detailed in Appendix 1 to the report.

·                    Officers considered that minor adjustments to the editorial policy of EEL would ensure the key principles in the Code were promoted, however there would be one significant departure from the guidance, as EEL would be published more frequently than recommended by the Code. This departure had been examined in detail, but it was considered reasonable given cost effectiveness, the promotion of equality and social cohesion, and the strength of resident views.

·                    Option 1 as set out in the Options analysis at section 13 of Appendix 1 to the report was recommended for approval.

A lengthy discussion followed, during which the proposals in the report were broadly welcomed, and which focused on the following points:-

·                    Comment that the outcome of resident consultation revealed that 72% of residents felt positively about/ valued the role performed by EEL and clearly wanted this to continue. The Mayor/ Cabinet should have due regard to this in agreeing options for its future.

·                    Consideration that EEL played a vital role in enabling the Council to communicate with its residents and in particular correcting misinformation, the source of which was often political opposition colleagues; with several recent examples cited.

·                    Comment that it was surprising that elected representatives of the community considered that EEL was not needed, as personal experience when talking to residents on the doorstep clearly indicated that residents valued it and considered it formed the backbone of communication between the Council and residents.

·                    Considered that EEL performed a valuable function in reaching so many residents, on a weekly basis, to inform them comprehensively of housing choices, which no leaflet could achieve at similar cost. Similarly Council departments used EEL as the main outlet for marketing/ advertising needs, including public/ statutory notices, and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.2

Reasons for Special Circumstances and Urgency Agreed.

Decision

1.         That the contract summary at Appendix 1 to the report (CAB 007/112) be noted;

2.                  That, subject to (a) below, the relevant Corporate Director who holds the budget for the service area be authorised to award the contracts listed in Appendix 1 to the report (CAB 007/112):

(a)       Submission of a comprehensive report (including an options appraisal) relating to contracting strategy/ contract award in respect of the contract “Professional fees in relation to work to Mulberry Place” listed in Appendix 1 to the report, for the consideration of the Mayor/ Cabinet Member for Resources and also their subsequent consultation and agreement to the proposed contract award; and

3.         That, subject to Decision 2 above, the relevant Corporate Director who holds the budget for the service area be authorised, after consultation with the Assistant Chief Executive (Legal Services), to arrange for the execution of all necessary contract documents.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR RESOURCES (C. NAYLOR)

Service Head, Procurement & Corporate Programmes, Resources (R. Parsons)

Special Circumstances and Reasons for Urgency

The Mayor informed members of the Cabinet that the special circumstances and reasons for urgency associated with the proposals were detailed on the front page of an addendum (CAB 010/112) to the original report “Contracts Forward Plan (CAB007/112). The Mayor subsequently agreed the special circumstances and reasons for urgency, as set out on the front page of the addendum report, and also set out below:

“The appendix to the report was delayed, due to final clarification being sought on the contracts and values listed.  It was considered better to delay publication of the appendix rather than to publish information that may have proved misleading.  A contracts forward plan report is produced regularly for Cabinet and it is exceptional to have late addendum material in this way.  It is necessary for Cabinet to consider the material at its meeting on 8 June 2011 as it would prejudice delivery of the Council’s functions to delay the progress of the contracts.”

Councillor Alibor Choudhury, Cabinet Member for Resources, at the request of the Mayor, in introducing the report:

·                    Summarised the key points contained therein.

·                    Commented that recommendation 2.1 contained in the report requested that the Mayor/ Cabinet specifically identify contracts where it was felt appropriate that a further report required consideration prior to contract award by Chief Officers under delegated authority. Accordingly Councillor Choudhury proposed that the Mayor agree recommendation 2.1 set out in the report subject to the following amendment:

 “Submission of a comprehensive report (including an options appraisal) relating to contracting strategy/ contract award in respect of the contract “Professional fees in relation to work to Mulberry Place”, for the consideration of the Mayor/ Cabinet Member for Resources and also their subsequent consultation and agreement to the proposed contract award.”

A short discussion followed which focused on the following point:-

·                    Comment that under the leadership of the Mayor Tower Hamlets Council had become the first local authority to adopt the London Living Wage (LLW) for both the staff it employed directly and those employed by companies with which it had a contract for the provision of services. Consideration that this commitment should now be woven in to the procurement fabric of the borough, so that at all stages of a procurement process there was a greater emphasis placed on embedding the LLW in practice.

The Mayor concurred with the rationale prompting the proposed amendment to recommendation 2.1 (set out in the report) from Councillor Choudhury, Cabinet Member for Resources; and accordingly agreed the following:

Decision

1.         That the contract summary at Appendix 1 to the report (CAB 007/112) be noted;

2.                  That, subject to (a) below, the relevant Corporate Director who holds the budget for the service area be authorised to award the contracts listed in Appendix 1 to the report (CAB 007/112):

(a)       Submission of a comprehensive report (including an options appraisal) relating to contracting strategy/ contract award in respect of the contract “Professional fees in relation to work to Mulberry  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.3

To consider any other unrestricted business that the Chair considers to be urgent.

Nil items.

The Clerk advised that there were no business to be considered under this section of the agenda.

Nil items.

Nil items.

The Clerk advised that there were no business to be considered under this section of the agenda.

In view of the contents of the remaining items on the agenda, the Committee is recommended to adopt the following motion:

“That, under the provisions of Section 100A of the Local Government Act, 1972 as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act, 1985, the Press and Public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting for the consideration of the Section Two business on the grounds that it contains information defined as Exempt in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government, Act 1972”.

EXEMPT/CONFIDENTIAL SECTION (PINK)

Decision

That pursuant to regulation 21(1)(b) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2000, the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting:

(a)       As it was likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted in Section Two of the agenda, that if members of the public were present during consideration of this business there would be disclosure of exempt information.

·                    Exempt information is defined in section 100I and, by reference, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (“the 1972 Act”).  To be exempt, information must fall within one of the categories listed in paragraphs 1 to 7 of Schedule 12A, must not fall within one of the excluded categories in paragraphs 8 and 9 and the public interest in maintaining the exemption must outweigh the public interest in disclosing the information.

o                   Agenda item Agenda item 17.1 “Building Schools for the Future - update on Langdon Park, Stepney Green, Central Foundation Girls School, Phoenix School” (CAB 008/112) contained information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). In particular information relating to the financial affairs of the Council, arising from the contractual arrangements for the Tower Hamlets Building Schools for the Future (BSF) Programme.

(b)               As although there is a public interest favouring public access to local authority meetings, in this case the Cabinet concluded that given the information contained in:

o                   Agenda item 17.1 “Building Schools for the Future - update on Langdon Park, Stepney Green, Central Foundation Girls School, Phoenix School” (CAB 008/112) relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). In particular information relating to the financial affairs of the Council arising from the contractual arrangements for the Tower Hamlets Building Schools for the Future (BSF) Programme.

that the public interest in maintaining the exemption on the information outweighed the public interest in disclosing it.

SUMMARY OF EXEMPT PROCEEDINGS

The Mayor agreed the following:

Decision

That pursuant to regulation 21(1)(b) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2000, the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting:

(a)       As it was likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted in Section Two of the agenda, that if members of the public were present during consideration of this business there would be disclosure of exempt information.

·                    Exempt information is defined in section 100I and, by reference, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (“the 1972 Act”).  To be exempt, information must fall within one of the categories listed in paragraphs 1 to 7 of Schedule 12A, must not fall within one of the excluded categories in paragraphs 8 and 9 and the public interest in maintaining the exemption must outweigh the public interest in disclosing the information.

o                   Agenda item Agenda item 17.1 “Building Schools for the Future - update on Langdon Park, Stepney Green, Central Foundation Girls School, Phoenix School” (CAB 008/112) contained information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). In particular information relating to the financial affairs of the Council, arising from the contractual arrangements for the Tower Hamlets Building Schools for the Future (BSF) Programme.

(b)               As although there is a public interest favouring public access to local authority meetings, in this case the Cabinet concluded that given the information contained in:

o                   Agenda item 17.1 “Building Schools for the Future - update on Langdon Park, Stepney Green, Central Foundation Girls School, Phoenix School” (CAB 008/112) relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). In particular information relating to the financial affairs of the Council arising from the contractual arrangements for the Tower Hamlets Building Schools for the Future (BSF) Programme.

that the public interest in maintaining the exemption on the information outweighed the public interest in disclosing it.

SUMMARY OF EXEMPT PROCEEDINGS

Nil items.

Nil items.

Nil items.

Nil items.

Nil items.

Nil items.

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

Nil items.

Nil items.

Nil items.

Nil items.

Nil items.

Nil items.

Decision

Recommendations Agreed.

Recommendations Agreed.

Nil items.

Nil items.

Nil items.

Nil items.

Nil items.

Nil items.

Nil items.

Nil items.

Nil items.

To consider any other exempt/ confidential business that the Chair considers to be urgent.

Nil items.

Nil items.

Nil items.

Nil items.

Nil items.