This week in Tower Hamlets:

• The Pension Board was scheduled to receive a report on the potential impact of the McCloud remedy on the pension fund and the performance of the pensions administration team.
• The Health & Adults Scrutiny Sub-Committee heard a presentation on the council's work to support people aged over 55, discussed the council's plans to introduce free community care for all residents, and received an update on the council's plans to support vulnerable residents during the winter.
• The Grants Determination (Cabinet) Sub-Committee voted to withdraw funding from the Linepass Welfare Association, citing concerns about the organisation's capacity to deliver the project, and agreed to delegate the authority to award small and emergency grants from the Director of Strategy, Improvement and Transformation to the Director of Finance.
• The King George's Field Charity Board agreed to proposals for a programme of improvements to sports facilities at Stepney Green Park and Mile End Park, including the installation of new practice cricket nets, the creation of a small refreshment kiosk, and the redevelopment of hardcourts.

Pension Board - Monday 04 November 2024

The Pension Board met to review the performance of the Tower Hamlets Pension Fund. The Board reviewed several reports, including the Fund’s Risk Register and the Pensions Administration Report.

Risk Register

The Board reviewed the Pension Fund’s Risk Register, which listed 22 different risks to the fund. The three risks that were graded as having the highest likelihood and impact were errors in pension scheme member data, inability to meet legal and performance expectations due to a lack of data, and McCloud implementation. The register said that officers would be seeking to gather data in order to establish the potential scheme members that will be affected by the McCloud remedy.¹

Pensions Administration Report

The Board received the Pensions Administration Report. The report showed that the number of people in each of the membership categories of the scheme had increased slightly in the quarter to September 2024. The report provided information on the employers that had active members in the scheme, listing 40 employers, including the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, Age UK East London, East End Homes, Swan Housing Association and the Mulberry Academy. The report also said that there was a backlog of tasks that required logging and allocating, and that the team had failed to meet some of the CIPFA benchmarks.

The report also provided an update on the data cleanse project, which is being undertaken by ITM. The report said that ITM had almost completed the GMP reconciliation, were currently undertaking electronic address tracing, and had agreed to begin the GMP and Payroll Rectification Project in November. It is anticipated that the entire project will be completed by the end of February 2025.

The report said that three employers – the Mulberry London Dock Academy, Caterlink and Atlas FM Payroll Ltd – were currently in the process of being admitted to the scheme.

Finally, the report provided an update on two legislative requirements that the scheme needs to comply with: the introduction of Pension Dashboards and the transition of the member self-service portal to a new system called “Engage”. The report said that officers were preparing for the introduction of Pensions Dashboards, which the scheme is required to comply with by 31 October 2025, and that they were working with Heywood to transition the scheme’s member self-service portal to the “Engage” system from January 2025.

Health & Adults Scrutiny Sub-Committee - Tuesday 05 November 2024

The Health & Adults Scrutiny Sub-Committee met to hear presentations from council officers and partner organisations on the council's work to support residents aged over 55. The meeting began with a discussion of the importance of preventative care for this demographic group, which has a higher prevalence of chronic conditions.

The committee heard presentations from three partner organisations that deliver services for over 55s in the borough: Age UK East London, LinkAge Plus, and Carers Centre Tower Hamlets. The presentations outlined the services that each organisation provides, the challenges they face in delivering these services, and the outcomes they are seeking to achieve.

The committee then discussed the council's proposed implementation of its manifesto pledge to introduce free community care from April 2025, and heard a presentation from Georgia Cimbani, Corporate Director for Health and Adult Social Care, on how this would work. Committee members raised a number of questions about the policy, including how the council will manage the potential increase in demand for care as a result of the change and why the council is continuing to pursue historic debt for community care when it has decided that the service should be free.

The meeting concluded with a presentation by Julie Dublin, Senior Programme Manager for Unplanned Care in the Integrated Commissioning Team, on the council's plans to support vulnerable residents during the winter. The presentation included details of national guidance on winter planning and Tower Hamlets’ performance against national targets for A&E waiting times. It also outlined the range of schemes that the council is putting in place to support vulnerable residents during the winter, including additional beds in the Royal London Hospital, step-down provision in the community, increased capacity for discharge to assess for mental health services, and in-reach pharmacy. The committee heard that Tower Hamlets is currently performing well against national targets for A&E waiting times, but was warned about potential risks associated with winter planning, including the risk of staff shortages due to illness, the potential for increased demand for services, challenges to the delivery of the flu vaccination programme, and the possibility that funding for out-of-hospital schemes may not be approved.

Grants Determination (Cabinet) Sub-Committee - Wednesday 06 November 2024

The Grants Determination (Cabinet) Sub-Committee met to discuss the performance of the Mayor's Community Grants Programme. The Committee also agreed to delegate the authority to award small and emergency grants from the Director of Strategy, Improvement and Transformation to the Director of Finance, following an internal restructure of the council.

The committee was told that three projects had been rated amber because they had missed deadlines for submitting monitoring data to the council. These were: Platform Cricket, Quaker Social Action, and Young and Talented. The committee heard that Quaker Social Action and Young and Talented had subsequently submitted the missing data, but that Platform Cricket was considered to be at risk of having its funding withdrawn.

The committee then discussed the performance of the Linepass Welfare Association, which had been rated red, meaning that it was considered to be "very behind schedule and unlikely to meet the agreed targets”.

“This report is the regular performance report for the Mayor's Community Grants Programme, a quarterly report. This was due to go to the 18th September meeting, so this covers April to June.”

Linepass Welfare Association had received funding to run Bengali and Arabic language classes, but the project had failed to deliver anything during its first eight months. The committee heard that although the organisation had started delivering sessions in July 2024, it was a one-man band and that there were concerns about its long-term viability.

So this one person is doing everything, so if they're not available then things don't get done. So they will need support if we continue to fund them to help develop their organisation to build the capacity in it. So it is a risk continuing the funding because there's a danger that they might underperform in the future because the organisation isn't strong enough to ensure the delivery.

The committee heard that an unannounced visit to one of the sessions in July had found only seven attendees, despite the fact that 25 people had registered for the project.

“I attended with the grant officer on an unannounced visit in July, you know, a couple of weeks after they'd started delivery, and there were seven children, seven in that session, the tutor couldn't make that session, so they got a substitute in to deliver.”

The committee decided to withdraw the funding from the Linepass Welfare Association, and asked officers to provide details of when spot checks had been conducted on projects in future reports.

King George's Field Charity Board - Wednesday 06 November 2024

The King George's Field Charity Board met to discuss the charity's finances and approve a programme of improvements to sports facilities at Stepney Green Park and Mile End Park.

King George’s Field Trust Accounts 2022/23

The Board approved the King George’s Field Trust Accounts for the 2022/23 financial year, which had been independently audited by Arnold Hill & Co LLP. The accounts showed a deficit of £165,354. It was explained that the 2022/23 accounts were due to be filed with the Charity Commission² by 31 January 2024, but this deadline was missed due to circumstances outside the board’s control. The accounts have since been audited and will be submitted to the Charity Commission.

So the annual accounts are due for year ending 23. This is a legal requirement, as the turnover of the charity is in excess of 1 million. These accounts are overdue. We have notified the Charities Commission.

The key items of income for the Charity in 2022/23 were commercial rents generated from shop lettings at Mile End Park, hire charges for the Arts and Ecology Pavilions at Mile End Park, Stepney Green Astroturf pitch bookings, and a corporate volunteer programme. The Charity’s expenditure included staff salaries, and costs for the repairs and maintenance of buildings, trees and fences, as well as grounds maintenance.

King George's Field Trust Investment Programmes

The Board approved a programme of improvements to sports facilities at Stepney Green Park and Mile End Park, subject to securing match funding and planning permission. This will include:

• Practice Cricket Nets at Stepney Green Park: New practice cricket nets will be installed. The estimated cost will be £55,000, funded by a grant from Fields in Trust.[^3] [^3]:Fields in Trust is a UK charity that legally protects parks and green spaces in perpetuity for future generations to enjoy.
• Small Refreshment Kiosk at Stepney Green Park: A small kiosk will be created, enabling Astroturf users to purchase snacks and drinks. The estimated cost will be £25,000, funded by a grant from Fields in Trust. It is estimated that the kiosk will generate revenue of £10,000 per annum for the Charity.
• Stepney Green Outdoor Gym Expansion: Additional outdoor gym equipment will be provided. The estimated cost will be £32,500, funded by a grant from Fields in Trust.
• Five-a-side Football Pitch at Stepney Green Park: A new five-a-side astroturf pitch will be created in the southeast of the park. The estimated cost will be £70,000. The Council has applied to the Football Foundation[^4]'s Playzone programme for funding, which would provide up to 75% of the cost. If successful, the remaining 25% would be funded by a grant from Fields in Trust. [^4]: The Football Foundation is a charity funded by the Premier League, The FA, and Government that develops new and better grassroots sports facilities in order to improve the quality and experience of playing football.
• Redevelopment of Hardcourts at Mile End Park: The existing hardcourts will be redeveloped and a new 2G surface suitable for football, cricket, netball, and hockey will be installed. The estimated cost is £82,500. 75% of the cost would be funded by Section 106 / CIL contributions[^5], with the remaining 25% to be funded by a grant from Fields in Trust. [^5]: Section 106 (S106) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 allows a local planning authority (LPA) to enter into a legally-binding agreement or planning obligation with a landowner or developer. S106 agreements are a mechanism that makes a development proposal acceptable in planning terms that would otherwise be unacceptable. A Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a planning charge, introduced by the Planning Act 2008, as a tool to help local authorities deliver infrastructure to support the development of their area. It allows local authorities in England and Wales to raise funds from developers undertaking new building projects in their area.

King George's Field Trust Leases Update

The board then discussed the leases of four properties in Mile End Park. The board noted that rent arrears for “Tenant A” remain outstanding, and that the tenant has proposed to offset the arrears against their rental deposit as part of a lease assignment to a new tenant. Further information about the lease arrangements for “Tenant B” was requested by the Board at its previous meeting, and the board noted the change of business name and company director that has occurred. The Board also noted that “Tenant C” has requested to assign their lease to a new tenant.

Finally, the board agreed to authorise the marketing of an arch located near to the skate park in Mile End Park, which is currently being used for storage. It was noted that consent would be required from Network Rail³ before the arch could be let, and that the arch could generate additional income for the charity. The Board will select a tenant at a future meeting.

Approve the marketing of an arch located in Mile End Park with the outcome to be reported back to the Board at a future meeting to decide on the tenant to be selected and the granting of the lease.

This week in Tower Hamlets:

• The Licensing Sub-committee heard two applications for new licences for the Tea Garden in Whitechapel and the Quiz Room in Bell Lane.

Licensing Sub Committee - Tuesday 29 October 2024

The Licensing Sub-committee considered applications for the Tea Garden at 138 Whitechapel Road, London to provide late-night refreshment, and for the Quiz Room at Ground Floor Brodie House, 19-25 Bell Lane, Londo to sell alcohol and provide regulated entertainment. The first application was rejected on the basis that the applicant had not demonstrated how they would uphold the licensing objectives, having previously been the subject of enforcement action by the Licensing Authority for opening beyond their permitted hours and selling illicit cigarettes. The second application was granted, but with additional conditions to mitigate the concerns of local residents and the Licensing Authority regarding public nuisance.

Application for a New Premises Licence for Quiz Room

The application for Quiz Room, a new business described in the Officer's report as an interactive entertainment venue where customers can play knowledge-based quiz games in groups with friends or colleagues, requested the sale of alcohol from 11am to 10:45pm Monday to Saturday and 11am to 8:45pm on Sundays. It also requested permission for films and recorded music to be played from 11am to 11pm Monday to Saturday and 11am to 9pm on Sundays.

Many residents objected to the application on the basis that the premises are located in the Brick Lane and Shoreditch Special Policy Area, which has a cumulative impact policy in place. This means that there is a presumption against granting new licences for the sale of alcohol in the area. Residents expressed particular concern about noise from patrons, music, and films emanating from the premises, particularly given its location underneath residential properties. Some residents also expressed concerns about the potential for antisocial behaviour from customers leaving the premises late at night.

The applicants, Quiz Room UK Ltd, argued that their business would not negatively impact the area as the sale of alcohol is ancillary to the main business, which is providing quiz-based entertainment. They stated that they would primarily cater to corporate clients and groups of friends looking for a unique entertainment experience. They argued that their business model, with pre-booked time slots and limited customer dwell time, would mitigate the risk of public nuisance.

Readers may recall that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee discussed the implications of the Council’s Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) policy at their meeting on 15 October 2024. They were told that the Home Office guidance on CIAs was updated in 2018 to require a greater degree of evidence to introduce one. This was because there had been some legal challenges to the use of CIAs, which argued that they were discriminatory and that they did not take into account the individual merits of each application. The Home Office guidance now states that, “CIAs should be based on robust evidence of the cumulative impact of licensed premises in the area, and should be reviewed regularly to ensure that they remain appropriate.”

The applicant had previously offered a condition stating that “The licensable activities authorised by this licence and provided at the premises shall be ancillary to the main function of the premises as a quiz room entertainment facility.” The committee felt that this condition could be open to interpretation and asked the applicant to tighten the wording. The applicant agreed to amend the condition to specify that licensable activities would be ancillary to participation in quiz activities.

The Licensing Authority requested additional conditions, including a restriction on the supply of alcohol to people eating a table meal, a prohibition on “vertical drinking”¹ and a requirement that all staff authorized to sell alcohol be authorised in writing by the Designated Premises Supervisor².

The committee ultimately decided to grant the licence subject to conditions that will ensure the identities of staff authorized to sell acohol are made available to police on request.

Application for a New Premises Licence for Tea Garden

The applicant, Mr Sekander Hossain, requested permission to provide late-night refreshment at the Tea Garden between 11pm and 2am, seven days a week.

The Licensing Authority objected to the application, primarily due to the applicant's past history of non-compliance with the Licensing Act 2003. The Licensing Authority provided evidence that Mr Hossain had repeatedly opened beyond permitted hours and sold illicit cigarettes at the premises. The Licensing Act 2003 consolidated much of the existing legislation on the sale and supply of alcohol, the provision of entertainment, and the regulation of clubs and other licensed premises.

The applicant was invited to attend the meeting and make representations but did not attend.

The Environmental Health Officer also objected to the application, citing concerns about noise breakout from the venue. The Environmental Health Officer stated that the applicant had not responded to their request for additional conditions to be added to the licence to mitigate the risk of public nuisance.

The committee considered the objections from the Licensing Authority and Environmental Health Officer and concluded that the applicant had demonstrated a disregard for the Licensing Act 2003 and the Council's warnings. The committee concluded that they did not have confidence that the applicant would uphold the licensing objectives if granted a licence and rejected the application.

This week in Tower Hamlets:

• The Licensing Committee heard an update about proposed changes to the Council's Cumulative Impact Assessment policy, which is due to be debated by full council on 20 November 2024.

Licensing Committee - Tuesday 22 October 2024

The Licensing Committee met to note the proposed changes to Tower Hamlets' Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) policy, which is due to be considered by full council on 20 November 2024. The new policy retains the existing CIA in Brick Lane and expands it slightly to the south east, but it removes the existing CIA in Bethnal Green.

Cumulative Impact Assessment Policy 2024-27

The meeting was to consider a report on the Council's proposed new Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) policy for 2024-27 (CIA Policy 2024 - 22 Oct 24).

CIAs are areas where the council has decided that there is already a high concentration of licensed premises. When considering new applications for licences, or variations to existing licences, the council must, by law, consider whether they would add to the problems already being experienced as a result of the high number of licensed premises in these areas. This means that applicants have to work harder to demonstrate that they would not add to the cumulative impact of licensed premises in a CIA.

You can read the council's existing statement on CIAs here: Statement of Licensing Policy 2020-2023.

The new policy keeps the existing Brick Lane CIA, but expands it slightly south eastwards to cover more of the area around Ailsa Wharf. The new policy removes the existing CIA in Bethnal Green.

Councillors were told that these proposals were supported by the evidence, with data from the Metropolitan Police, the London Ambulance Service, and from complaints about licensed premises all showing a greater concentration of issues in Brick Lane than in Bethnal Green. This is illustrated in the report in Appendix 8 (CIA Policy 2024 - Appendix 8- 22 Oct 24 v2).

Brick Lane

Councillor Peter Golds asked if any consideration had been given to expanding the Brick Lane CIA northwards into Weavers Ward. Mr Tom Lewis, the Service Manager for Licensing, said that there had been some calls to expand the zone in this way, and that the council had previously considered extending the CIA to cover more of the Columbia Road area in 2020. However, he said that there was not sufficient evidence to support the inclusion of this area in the CIA. This is explained in the report at paragraphs 5.20 to 5.56.

Bethnal Green

Councillor Golds noted that although 40% of respondents to the council's recent consultation on the new CIA policy supported the removal of the Bethnal Green CIA, 47% of respondents supported either retaining it, or expanding it. He asked if this meant that there was support for retaining the Bethnal Green CIA. Mr Lewis responded by saying that although the views expressed during consultation were taken into account, the main consideration for the council was the evidence of crime, disorder, and nuisance in the area, and he reiterated that the available evidence did not support the retention of the CIA.

Hackney Wick and Fish Island

Councillor Abdi Mohammed asked what consideration had been given to the possibility of introducing a CIA in Hackney Wick, which borders Tower Hamlets, or the adjacent Fish Island, which is partly in Tower Hamlets. He noted that although a recent Environmental Impact Assessment in Hackney Wick had concluded that a CIA was not necessary, the area was a growing night-time economy hotspot, and was already subject to additional council and police attention because of it. He expressed concern that because the area straddles three boroughs (Tower Hamlets, Hackney and Newham) it was possible for issues to fall between the cracks. He asked if the council could liaise with its counterparts in the other boroughs to try to better understand the issues and whether a more coordinated approach was needed.

This concern has been raised previously by Councillor Mohammed at other meetings, including the Overview and Scrutiny meeting on 15 October 2024.

Mr Lewis acknowledged that the area was changing rapidly and said that although Tower Hamlets did not routinely share data with other boroughs, he was willing to contact the Licensing Teams in both Hackney and Newham to see if they could provide any relevant information.

Framework Hours

Councillor Mohammed also asked Mr Lewis for his assessment of how effective the council's policy on framework hours had been in regulating the night-time economy.

The licensing act requires licensing authorities to publish a statement of their policy on framework hours. Framework hours are the times when the authority would normally expect licensed premises to stop selling alcohol. However, they are a guide only, and are not a set of fixed rules. You can read Tower Hamlet's current statement of licensing policy here: Statement of Licensing Policy 2020-2023.

Mr Lewis said that although framework hours were useful in providing guidance to both applicants and the council, the fact that they are not a set of fixed rules means that they can be difficult to rely on. He did note however that since 2020 the council's own licensing policy had contained a presumption that outside areas at licensed premises should close by 9pm, which made it easier for the council to control licensed activities.

The effectiveness of CIAs

Councillor Mina Ali asked Mr Lewis to provide examples of where the CIA had been used to prevent the granting of licences. She noted that in her experience the existence of a CIA had not always been enough to convince applicants to either amend, or withdraw, their applications. Mr Lewis acknowledged this, but said that the main effect of the CIA policy was to shift the burden of proof from the objector to the applicant. Mr Jonathan Melnick of Legal Services explained that the effect of the CIA is to introduce a presumption against granting licences in the designated areas. However, he stressed that it does not mean that applications can, or should, be refused automatically. He said that applicants can, and do, overcome this presumption by demonstrating that their business will not add to the cumulative impact of licensed premises in the area. In practice this is often achieved by ensuring that the premises will be primarily food-led, or that they will operate for reduced hours, or with a greater emphasis on off-sales.

Councillor Golds concluded the discussion by reminding the committee that they will have a further opportunity to discuss the policy before it is voted on at full council on 20 November 2024.

This week in Tower Hamlets:

• The Overview & Scrutiny Committee discussed the council's progress on the Local Government Association's (LGA) Corporate Peer Challenge (CPC) Action Plan, its performance on tackling rent arrears, its Youth Justice Plan and the Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) Policy for licensed premises.
• The Cabinet decided to make a one-off payment of £175 to nearly 5,000 pensioners in the borough who are no longer eligible for the Government’s Winter Fuel Payment, considered the results of the 2024 Annual Resident Survey, and agreed new strategies on SEND and VAWG, a new CIA policy for licensed premises, and the CPO for the redevelopment of the Havering Estate in Stepney.
• The Appointments Sub Committee met to longlist candidates for the role of Director of Adult Social Care.
• The Children and Education Scrutiny Sub-Committee discussed progress on the council's Family Hubs, preparations for an upcoming Ofsted inspection, and preparations for a separate inspection of the council's SEND provision.

Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday 15 October 2024

This meeting of Overview & Scrutiny discussed a number of important items relating to the council's performance in Quarter 1 of 2024/25, including updates on the delivery of the LGA’s Corporate Peer Review Challenge action plan, the council's progress on tackling temporary accommodation rent arrears, the Youth Justice Plan, and the Cumulative Impact Assessment policy.

The committee received an update on the Local Government Association's (LGA) Corporate Peer Challenge (CPC) Action Plan, and questioned whether the report, which was written by council officers, was impartial, highlighting a reference to the council inheriting a budget deficit as an example of what they perceived to be an overly political tone.

In 2023, the council started with a quite significant deficit, exceeding circa £38 million

The Chief Executive, Steve Halsey, explained that the wording had come directly from the LGA's own report, but agreed to consider suggestions from the committee about how the report’s tone could be improved.

The committee also raised concerns that a section in the report on the council's commitment to diversity and inclusion did not go far enough, with Councillor Amy Lee arguing that it was “personally insulting” given that a number of female councillors had raised concerns with the LGA about how they had been treated in meetings.

Women in this council went and spoke to the LGA and talked about their experiences in this council, talked about how they'd been treated in these committees. They talked about the knock-on impact that that was having in the community.

The committee also questioned whether sufficient attention was being paid to performance in service delivery, rather than just financial performance. Mr Halsey explained that there were a range of existing mechanisms for monitoring and managing service performance and agreed to provide more detail about these to the committee at a future meeting.

The committee also discussed the council’s performance on tackling rent arrears. The committee heard that an internal audit in October 2023 had identified £11.94 million in rent arrears dating back to 2012 and an additional £8.9 million in more recent arrears.

The committee was told that the council has set aside £18.8 million in its Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) to cover bad debt. An MTFS is a document that sets out a council’s financial plans for the next three to five years. The MTFS includes details of the council’s expected income and expenditure, as well as its plans for borrowing and investment. The committee also heard that the council had set up a team and procured new software to help recover the debt. This had resulted in £1.3 million of the more recent debt being recovered.

Committee members questioned the cost-benefit analysis of chasing smaller debts and how these decisions are made.

Is there a point where it doesn't become affordable for the council to chase it? So you've talked about 35 officers, you've talked about putting a lot more investment into it. If it's a debt of £500, I mean we should be chasing this debt, but you've got an officer spending 20, 30, 40 hours doing this. Where's the cost benefit analysis, at what point is that?

Abdul Razak Kassim, the Director of Finance, explained that the council was using the new software to identify the most economical debts to chase, which would then inform decisions about writing off unrecoverable debts. Mr Halsey added that the 35 additional officers were not just focused on recovering existing debt but were also working on preventing residents falling into arrears in the first place, and intervening quickly to help those who are struggling to pay their rent.

The committee also received a report on the Youth Justice Plan for Tower Hamlets. Susanna Beasley-Murray, the Director for Children's Services, explained to the committee that the Youth Justice Plan has four key priorities:

• Child First: Embedding a child-first approach in every aspect of the Youth Justice Partnership.
• Consistently Good Practice: Continuous raising of practice standards to achieve improved outcomes for children.
• YJS Health Offer: Coordinated access and intervention to universal and specialist health provision to meet children’s holistic health and wellbeing needs.
• Post 16 E2E Offer: Increasing children’s participation in post 16 education, training and employment to support children’s aspirations, desistance and safety.

The committee were told that the number of first-time entrants to the youth justice system in Tower Hamlets had fallen by 40% in the last 24 months. This was below both the London and England and Wales averages. The committee heard that this was a significant achievement for the borough, and reflected the hard work of the Youth Justice Service.

However, Ms Beasley-Murray told the committee that the re-offending rate had increased to 35.8% which was above the London and national average. She argued that this was partly due to the impact of the smaller cohort of first-time entrants on the calculation of the rate.

If you look at the box underneath, previously, those children that were first-time entrants, when we had a bigger number of children that were first-time entrants, we therefore had a bigger cohort of children that could then reoffend, because you have to become a first-time entrant before you can then reoffend.

The committee also questioned the length of time children were assigned a youth justice support officer for and whether bonds between young people and officers were broken too quickly. Ms Beasley-Murray explained that the service tried to keep children with the same youth justice support worker but that they did not exit children on a “cliff edge”, and ensured they continue to receive support from other services, such as social workers, where appropriate.

The committee concluded its meeting with a discussion of the council's Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) policy.

CIAs are a tool that can be used by councils to manage the concentration of licensed premises in an area. The CIA policy sets out the criteria that the council will use to decide whether to grant a new licence or vary an existing licence, taking into account the cumulative impact of existing licensed premises.

Tower Hamlets currently has two CIAs in place, in Brick Lane and Bethnal Green. A CIA effectively creates a rebuttable presumption against granting new premises licences or variations to existing licences in an area if they are likely to add to existing problems. Each application will still be considered on its merits, but the applicant will need to provide more evidence to the Licensing Committee to demonstrate that their proposal will not add to problems already being experienced in the area.

The report proposed retaining and expanding the CIA in Brick Lane and removing it in Bethnal Green.

Several members of the committee asked about the possibility of introducing a CIA in Hackney Wick, which is located on the border with Hackney.

If you could talk a bit more about the analysis that was done to decide against this, I'd welcome you to come to Hackney Wick in Fyshinde on a Friday night outside Hackney Wick Station. I appreciate it goes into two local authorities, but the area is not like it was five, ten years ago, and there is a lot that goes on there.

Tom Lewis, Service Manager for Regulatory Services, explained to the committee that the Home Office guidance on CIAs was updated in 2018 to require a greater degree of evidence to introduce one. This was because there had been some legal challenges to the use of CIAs, which argued that they were discriminatory and that they did not take into account the individual merits of each application. The Home Office guidance now states that, “CIAs should be based on robust evidence of the cumulative impact of licensed premises in the area, and should be reviewed regularly to ensure that they remain appropriate.”

Mr Lewis explained that while the council recognised concerns about crime and disorder in Hackney Wick, it had been working with the police and the Community Safety team to address these and had installed additional CCTV using money from the Late Night Levy. A Late Night Levy is a charge that local authorities can introduce on licensed premises that sell alcohol late at night. The money from the levy can be used to fund services that address the impact of the late-night economy on the area, such as extra policing. The committee heard that the council was continuing to monitor the situation in Hackney Wick and would consider introducing a CIA if there was sufficient evidence to support it.

Cabinet - Wednesday 16 October 2024

The Cabinet of Tower Hamlets Council met on 16 October 2024. The meeting considered the Council's performance in a variety of areas and made decisions on several matters, including the adoption of new strategies on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), a new CIA policy for licensed premises, and a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for the redevelopment of the Havering Estate in Stepney.

This meeting of Cabinet included a number of important items about the council’s performance in Quarter 1 of 2024/25, as well as decisions on new strategies for SEND and VAWG, the renewal of the CIA policy for licensed premises, and the CPO for the redevelopment of the Havering Estate.

The meeting began with a statement from the Mayor about the cost of living crisis. He announced that the Council had been able to find funds to make a one-off payment of £175 to nearly 5,000 pensioners in the borough who were no longer eligible for the Government’s Winter Fuel Payment, which had recently been scrapped by the new Labour Government.

The Mayor thanked officers for identifying the necessary funds. The Mayor explained that, although data from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) shows that more than 4,000 pensioners who are eligible for Pension Credit are not claiming it, the Council did not have the budget to provide a similar payment to these people. However, he committed the Council to launch a campaign to encourage those pensioners to apply for Pension Credit before the December 2024 deadline.

The Mayor then criticised the previous Labour administration of the Council for making cuts to the Council’s homelessness services, arguing that this had resulted in an increase in the number of homeless families being placed in unsuitable accommodation such as bed and breakfasts. The Mayor said that there were now no families in Tower Hamlets in B&Bs beyond the statutory six-week time limit and that no families were placed in commercial hotels.

The Cabinet then considered the results of the 2024 Annual Resident Survey. The results of the survey were generally positive, with 84% of the 1,100 people surveyed saying they were satisfied with the local area. The survey also found that 90% of residents believed that people from different backgrounds got on well in the borough, a figure that the Mayor highlighted in light of what he said were “negative statements… made by individuals about our borough”.

The survey also revealed some areas of concern, such as community safety and customer services.

The Cabinet also received an update on the Council’s action plan in response to the Local Government Association’s (LGA) Corporate Peer Challenge. They were told that 84% of the actions identified in the plan had been completed by August 2024 and that the Council was on track to complete 91% of actions by November 2024.

The Cabinet also noted the formal launch of the Council’s new Target Operating Model. The model is intended to support the Council to deliver on its four-year strategic plan and to be more resident-focused. The model is based on six design principles: value-driven, community-led, collaborative, enabling, innovative and accountable.

The Cabinet considered the Strategic Delivery and Performance Report for quarter one of year three of the Council's four-year strategic plan. The report uses Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to monitor the council's performance. KPIs are quantifiable measures that are used to track the progress of an organisation towards its goals. For example, a KPI for a council's housing service might be the number of new homes built in a year, or the percentage of tenants satisfied with the council's repairs service. The Council has a range of KPIs that cover a wide range of services, including education, social care, housing, and waste management.

Of the 56 measures included in the report, 24 showed performance exceeding targets. However, there were also nine areas where performance was below target. The Mayor expressed concern about the number of areas where performance was below target, highlighting those relating to the SEND strategy, cycling provision for children and young people, and the percentage of tenants who are satisfied with the Council’s repairs service. The Cabinet noted the report and the mitigating actions being taken by the Council.

The Cabinet agreed to adopt the Council’s new Special Educational Needs Disabilities and Inclusion Strategy 2024-2029. This document sets out the council’s plans for supporting children and young people with SEND in the borough. The Strategy outlines six key priorities for the Council in this area:

1. Timely and coordinated support for children and young people with SEND
2. User-friendly services for families
3. Early identification and support for children under five
4. Effective education and support for school-aged children with SEND
5. Opportunities for young adults with SEND
6. Valuing and supporting individuals to thrive.

The Cabinet also agreed to add an additional recommendation to the report, creating a partnership task and finish group to support the Corporate Director for Children’s Services in implementing the strategy.

The Cabinet then considered the council’s Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) policy. The report presented to the Cabinet explained that Tower Hamlets Council is required to review its CIAs every three years. Following a consultation, which ran from January to April 2024, The Cabinet agreed to:

• Retain the existing CIA in Brick Lane and expand it to include parts of Whitechapel.
• Remove the existing CIA in Bethnal Green.
• Agree the updated CIA policy statement.

The Cabinet also agreed to approve the direct award of contracts to provide supported housing and support services for care leavers in the borough. This followed the failure of two procurement exercises to find a suitable provider. Local authorities are required to provide leaving care services to all young people who have been looked after by the council. These services are intended to help young people make the transition to adulthood and independent living. The services may include help with finding accommodation, getting a job, and managing money.

The Cabinet also agreed to the making of a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for the redevelopment of the Havering Estate in Stepney. A CPO is a legal order that allows a local authority to acquire land or property without the consent of the owner. CPOs are typically used when the land or property is needed for a public purpose, such as the construction of a new road, school, or hospital. The CPO for the Havering Estate will allow for the redevelopment of the estate by the developer Redcoat, which will include the construction of 407 new homes, of which 53% will be affordable housing. The scheme will also include the construction of a new community facility.

The meeting concluded with an agreement that the Deputy Mayor would have corporate responsibility for overseeing the implementation of the strategy.

Appointments Sub Committee - Tuesday 15 October 2024

The Appointments Sub Committee of Tower Hamlets Council met to consider the longlisting of candidates for the role of Director of Adult Social Care. The meeting was not open to the public.

Children and Education Scrutiny Sub-Committee - Thursday 17 October 2024

This week, the Children and Education Scrutiny Sub-Committee discussed progress on the council's Family Hubs, preparations for an upcoming Ofsted inspection, and preparations for a separate inspection of the council's Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) provision.

Family Hubs

The committee heard from Mohammed Jalil, Head of Service for Early Help at the council, about the borough’s Family Hubs. The Family Hubs are a network of children's centres that provide a range of services for families, including early education, health visiting, and parenting support. The aim of the Family Hubs is to provide a one-stop shop for families, where they can access all the support they need in one place. The committee heard that the Family Hubs have been successful in increasing the number of families accessing services, and that there has been a significant increase in the number of families accessing early help services.

The committee heard that the hubs had received over 15,800 visits from families in the first two quarters of 2024. They were also shown a video featuring three parents, who described how the hubs had supported their families.

This place is like family to me, like when you come to the family home, there is someone that will always listen to you, someone is always there to give you support

The committee raised questions about a number of issues, including the location of the Family Hubs, their financial sustainability, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the service, the council's website, and support available for victims of domestic abuse.

Responding to a question from committee member Councillor Rabina Sultana about provision in the centre of the borough, Mr Jalil explained that whilst the Family Hubs are located in specific sites, they are supported by a ‘hub and spoke model’ which uses a number of other sites across the borough to deliver services.

in terms of the spokes that we've got for the hubs, they cover where the most dense and the most, as I mentioned, the lowest super output areas which is the most deprived areas in the borough as well.

Super Output Areas (SOAs) are geographic areas used for the reporting of census data. They are designed to be as socially homogeneous as possible, based on characteristics such as age, ethnicity, and housing tenure.

Inspection of Children's Social Care

The committee heard from Susannah Beasley-Murray, the Director of Children's Social Care at the council, about preparations for the upcoming Inspection of Local Authority Children's Services (ILACS).

Ofsted's ILACS framework focuses on the experiences and progress of children who need help and protection, the experiences and progress of children in care and care leavers, and the impact of leadership on practice. Local authorities are judged in these three areas on a four point scale: Grade 1 (Outstanding), Grade 2 (Good), Grade 3 (Requires Improvement) and Grade 4 (Inadequate).

Tower Hamlets was judged to be 'Good' at its last inspection in 2019, but Ofsted's new inspection framework places more weight on the experiences of children and families, meaning it is harder to achieve a good rating.

The committee heard that the inspection process will begin with a phone call from the inspection team at 9:30am on a Monday morning. Following this initial contact there will be a week of remote meetings and requests for information. The inspection team will then arrive at the council the following Monday and spend a week reviewing the work of the service.

Councillors on the committee raised questions about a number of issues, including supported accommodation for 16 and 17-year-olds, corporate parenting, partnership working, neglect, child sexual abuse, missing children, the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), and the role of faith groups in safeguarding.

MASHs are a way of bringing together different agencies that have a role in safeguarding children, such as local authorities, the police, and health services. The aim of a MASH is to improve information sharing and communication between agencies, and to make it easier for professionals to identify and respond to concerns about children.

Councillors on the committee were particularly interested in supported accommodation for 16 and 17-year-olds. This is a type of accommodation that is provided to young people who are leaving care, or who are at risk of homelessness. The committee heard that there are a number of different types of supported accommodation, and that the quality of accommodation can vary significantly.

The Children (Regulation of Private Fostering and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2019 introduced a requirement for all supported accommodation for 16 and 17-year-olds to be registered with Ofsted. This is to ensure that the accommodation meets certain standards of quality and safety. Ms Beasley-Murray confirmed that the service was working to ensure that all supported accommodation for 16 and 17-year-olds in the borough is Ofsted registered.

SEND Inspection

The committee then discussed preparations for the inspection of the council's SEND provision.

Lisa Fraser, Director of Education, told the committee that the inspection could happen at any time. She explained that the inspection team would be particularly interested in the experiences of children, young people and their families, and that it would consider the work of the local authority, health services, and schools in relation to SEND provision.

The committee heard that the inspection team would look at a range of evidence, including the council's SEND self-assessment, the quality of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), the timeliness of the EHCP process, the provision of alternative education, the outcomes for children and young people with SEND, and the engagement with parents and carers.

The committee raised questions about a number of issues, including the timeliness of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), the exclusion rate for children with SEND, the council's SEND self-assessment, the support available for children with mild to moderate needs, the gender imbalance in SEND provision, and the rising cost of transport for children with SEND.

EHCPs are legally binding documents which describe the special educational, health, and social care needs of a child or young person, the support they require to meet those needs, and their outcomes. They are used to ensure that children and young people with SEND receive the support they need to achieve their potential.

Responding to a question from committee member Councillor Shahaveer Shubo Hussain about the availability of resources, Mr Reddy, the Corporate Director for Children’s Services, said that funding for SEND services is set by the government, and that there is concern nationally that this is insufficient to meet the rising demand for services.

[...] i think it's fair to say the new government has already identified, the feedback from education leads and local authorities is that nationally the SEND resource is not enough.

This week in Tower Hamlets:

• The Audit Committee discussed the backlog of audits for previous years, a new planning report for the 2023/24 audit, and a risk management health check.
• The Licensing Sub Committee heard two applications for new licences from a cafe in Island Gardens and a warehouse in Ezra Street that plans to become a high-end restaurant.
• The Strategic Development Committee finally resolved to grant permission for the redevelopment of the former Westferry Printworks site at 235 Westferry Road after years of controversy.

Audit Committee - Thursday 10 October 2024

This meeting focussed on the ongoing challenge of completing the audits for the 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23 financial years. As you may recall from previous emails, these audits are significantly behind schedule. The committee also discussed the risks facing the council, received an update on the progress of the internal audit work plan, and considered a health check of the council's risk management processes.

The committee was told that Deloitte, the auditor for the 2020/21, 2021/22, and 2022/23 accounts, expects to issue a 'disclaimer of opinion' on these accounts. A disclaimer of opinion means that the auditor is unable to give an opinion on whether the accounts give a true and fair view of the council's finances. This is usually because the auditor has not been able to obtain sufficient evidence to form an opinion. The committee heard that the government has imposed a deadline of 13 December 2024 for councils to publish their accounts and audit reports for these years, and that there is simply insufficient time for Deloitte to complete the audits.

The committee was also told that EY, the new auditor for the 2023/24 accounts, has assigned a 'close monitoring' risk rating to this audit, which is the highest risk rating possible. This is due to a number of factors, including the volume of disclaimed audit opinions on prior years, the Best Value Inspection of the council by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities¹, the Council's recent history with the removal from office of the former Mayor Lutfur Rahman² and the two current investigations being undertaken into the Council's conduct.

The committee heard that EY plans to set the 'planning materiality' for the 2023/24 audit at £7 million, which is 0.5% of the council's gross expenditure for that year. Planning materiality is the amount that the auditor considers would influence users of the accounts decision making. The lower the planning materiality, the more detailed the audit work will be. EY also plans to set the 'performance materiality' at 50% of planning materiality, which is £3.5 million. Performance materiality is the level at which the auditor performs its audit testing. Setting performance materiality at 50% of planning materiality is the standard approach for an audit with a 'close monitoring' risk rating. However, the committee heard that even if the risk rating was lower, there were other factors at play that would have resulted in this figure. These include the fact that this is EY's first year auditing Tower Hamlets, and that there have been a number of findings from previous audits, as well as from recent internal audits, that suggest there is a risk of heightened error in the council's financial statements.

The committee was told that EY may not be able to complete the audit of the 2023/24 accounts by the statutory deadline of 28 February 2025. This is because the majority of the audit work will need to be completed by the end of November 2024, and the current backlog of audit work means that EY is not as far through the audit as it would like to be.

The committee discussed the implications of having four consecutive years of disclaimed audit opinions. Julie Lorraine, the Corporate Director of Resources, assured the committee that the situation was not unique to Tower Hamlets. She explained that many other councils are in a similar position due to a national backlog in audit work. Ms Lorraine highlighted that this backlog was one of the factors that led to the government introducing backstop dates for publishing accounts and audit reports. She also reassured the committee that, provided Tower Hamlets receives a disclaimer of opinion for the same reason as other boroughs, it should not have a significant impact on the council's ability to operate. She did note, however, that it does put the council in a less favourable position than a council with a clean audit opinion.

Ms Lorraine praised the professionalism of the council's finance team, and highlighted that they are 'victims of their own success' in terms of the close monitoring risk rating. She explained that the finance team has worked incredibly hard to close down the previous years' accounts, and that this has resulted in their being identified as a high risk by the auditors. She argued that the situation would be worse if the finance team had not been so successful in completing the accounts for previous years, as this would have made the council a higher risk still.

“Had we not resolved the issue and closed the number of accounts we’ve closed in the period of time we’ve done it and the current year’s position, then the issue of actually you’re a heightened risk because you’ve done it to some extent wouldn’t be there.”

Ms Lorraine also highlighted the impact on the finance team of the level of testing and sampling that will be required by EY.

"I have never interfered in any way with the audit plan... I intend to let him determine what the risk base is… I would just say… you've got a finance team that is pulling out every single stop to get us through this audit in the most professional way we can.”

The committee also considered the Corporate Risk Register, which lists the top 15 risks facing the council. The committee heard that 3 risks had been added to the register since the last meeting: community cohesion, People First Transformation, and civil contingencies; and that 2 risks had been relegated to the directorate level: the Building Safety Act, and the Protection of Freedoms Act.

Some committee members were concerned that there was no risk on the register relating to the recent Best Value Inspection of the Council, or to the possibility of other adverse inspection outcomes. David Dobbs, the Head of Internal Audit, Anti-Fraud and Risk, agreed to discuss these concerns with the Corporate Management Team.

The committee also considered the Risk Management Health Check that was commissioned by Mr Dobbs and completed by Zurich Municipal, the Council's liability insurer. The check found that the Council had made a good start in restoring risk management processes and embedding them into the organisation's culture, but that there is still a long journey ahead. The report also found that leadership of risk management was not currently clear for all interviewees, that members need more training in risk management, and that the current system for recording and managing risks may not be appropriate. The Council has developed an action plan to respond to these recommendations.

Jesper Klesius, a risk consultant for Zurich, presented the findings of the health check to the committee. He explained that while the report had identified a number of weaknesses in the Council's risk management processes, these were largely attributable to the high turnover of senior managers in recent years. He said that he was confident that the new leadership team was committed to improving the Council's risk management processes, and that the action plan was a good first step in achieving this.

“I think overall, while there is a low level of maturity that’s evidenced at this moment, it is on an upward trajectory and it is going to take a bit of time to really improve in these areas.”

This meeting of the Audit Committee highlighted the challenges that the Council faces in completing its audit work for previous financial years. The Committee heard that the Council's external auditors, Deloitte and EY, have both identified a number of risks that they will be focusing on during their audits. The Committee was also told that the Council's risk management processes need to be improved, and that the Council needs to do more to ensure that its staff are aware of their responsibilities in relation to fraud and safeguarding.

Licensing Sub Committee - Tuesday 08 October 2024

The Licensing Sub-Committee met to consider two applications for new premises licences. The first was from Rotunda Cafe in Island Gardens, and the second was from Solid Floor Ltd in Ezra Street.

Rotunda Cafe, Island Gardens

Rotunda Cafe sought permission to sell alcohol for consumption on and off the premises from 8am to 11pm, Monday to Sunday. The application was opposed by one local resident, Mr Ralph Hardwick.

Mr Hardwick's concerns related to the cafe's location near George Green's School, and Canary Wharf College. He was worried that the sale of alcohol would encourage anti-social behaviour and could lead to children being exposed to drunk and disorderly behaviour. He argued that the sale of alcohol would conflict with the borough-wide PSPO, which prohibits drinking alcohol in a public place after being asked to stop by a police officer or an authorised council officer.

The applicant, Mr Gianluca Collini, agreed to reduce the hours for the sale of alcohol from 8am to 5pm and to a number of conditions, including that all alcohol sales must be accompanied by a meal and that alcohol for consumption off the premises could only be sold in sealed containers. The Sub-Committee were satisfied that these measures were sufficient to address Mr Hardwick’s concerns and granted the licence, subject to the agreed conditions.

Solid Floor Ltd, Ezra Street

Solid Floor Ltd sought permission to sell alcohol for consumption on the premises from 9am to 10.30pm Monday to Thursday, 9am to 11.30pm on Friday and Saturday, and 9am to 7.30pm on Sunday. The application was opposed by a total of 17 local residents. The key concern of the residents was the size of the proposed restaurant and its impact on a small, narrow street.

The applicant argued that the size of the restaurant, 80 covers, would be managed through a number of measures, including the use of a booking system and the provision of information to diners about how to arrive and depart the premises using public transport. The applicant also said that the restaurant would be high-end and that the clientele would be unlikely to cause any problems.

However, the residents were unconvinced, arguing that the restaurant would cause an increase in noise and traffic congestion, and that it would attract anti-social behaviour. Some residents highlighted the large number of licensed premises already in the vicinity and disputed the applicant’s assertion that customers at high-end restaurants don't arrive by car or taxi.

"It is undoubtedly the statistics are there. And my main point about this is that you can’t consider this application without thinking about the neighbourhood as a whole.”

The applicant argued that the venue would be better regulated if it had a licence, and that opening a high-end restaurant would improve the area, which they said was currently blighted by graffiti and street drinking.

“I believe that a restaurant…[would improve] Ezra Street [which] currently … appears to be derelict, the street is covered in graffiti by owners who don’t look after the buildings, that’s why kids go to the Sainsbury’s around the corner, buy alcohol and sit on the street.”

The Sub-Committee decided to refuse the application on the grounds that it was likely to result in an increase in noise, traffic congestion, and anti-social behaviour. This decision suggests that the Sub-Committee are taking a cautious approach to the granting of new licences in areas that are already well-served by licensed premises.

Strategic Development Committee - Wednesday 09 October 2024

This week's meeting saw the committee consider two deferred applications: a new application for a mixed-use development at 4-5 Harbour Exchange Square in Canary Wharf, and a Section 73³ application for minor material amendments to a previously approved scheme at Blackwall Way Yard Jetty. The committee also considered two deferred applications from previous meetings, one for the former Westferry Printworks at 235 Westferry Road, and another for the Whitechapel Road Development Site.

Former Westferry Printworks, 235 Westferry Road, London

As you may recall from previous emails, the redevelopment of the former Westferry Printworks has been controversial, resulting in a successful judicial review and years of delays. The committee had previously deferred the application three times. On this occasion, it voted to grant planning permission for the construction of 1,358 new homes, a secondary school, commercial space, community uses, and a police base.

The committee heard from three objectors, two of whom highlighted concerns about delays to the construction of the new secondary school on the site. The original application, which was granted planning permission in 2016, had included the school in a Section 106 agreement that stated it should be built by 2022. However, the developer, Westferry Developments Ltd, had failed to meet this deadline. The third objector raised concerns about construction traffic using Millharbour, arguing that the road was too narrow for large construction vehicles and that access to the site should be from Westferry Road instead.

The applicant, Mr Marginson, sought to reassure the committee that the school would be built, and that funding for the school had been confirmed by the Department for Education (DfE). He said that a clause had been included in the Section 106 agreement to ensure that the lease for the secondary school would be signed before planning permission was granted.

“The S106 agreement has a clause included to ensure that the secondary school lease is signed before planning permission is granted.”

The application was granted on a vote of 6 in favour to 1 against, with no abstentions.

Blackwall Way Yard Jetty, Blackwall Way, London

The committee voted to grant permission for a Section 73 application by Hadley Blackwall Yard Property Limited to amend a condition restricting the hours of operation of a previously approved jetty. The original application, which was granted under reference PA/21/00288, provided for the construction of a riverboat station and associated jetty at Blackwall Way Yard. Condition 22 of the permission restricted the operating hours to those of the Thames Clippers Uber Boat service.

The applicant sought to remove this restriction and to replace it with a condition that would limit the number of boat movements to six per hour between 11pm and 6am, with noise not to exceed 73dB. The application was supported by updated noise and air quality assessments, which were reviewed by the Council’s consultant. The applicant said that the amended condition would only apply to passenger boats and exclude private hire.

The committee voted to grant the application on a vote of 7 in favour, with no abstentions.

4-5 Harbour Exchange Square

The committee considered a new planning application submitted by GAW Capital and City & Docklands for the demolition of two existing office buildings and the construction of a mixed-use residential-led development with 450 residential units, retail space, and community facilities. The application had been deferred at the previous meeting to allow members to establish whether the scheme could incorporate more family-sized units.

Following a brief discussion, the committee voted to grant planning permission.

Whitechapel Road Development Site, Whitechapel Road, London E1 2BB

This application, by the Department of Health and Social Care, was seeking permission to redevelop a number of vacant plots on the site of the former London Hospital. The scheme would provide life science floorspace and a new academic building for Queen Mary University of London (QMUL). It also proposed the demolition of a number of buildings on the site, including the former Outpatients Building. The scheme had previously been deferred so that members could carry out a site visit and to allow the applicant to improve their offer in relation to apprenticeships.

The committee heard from the Council’s Conservation Officer, who explained that the development would result in “significant harm” to the heritage value of the site, and to the Former London Hospital Conservation Area. Historic England also objected to the application on the grounds that it would damage the significance of a number of listed buildings on the site.

The proposal would undoubtedly cause significant harm to the Outpatients Building itself and harm to the Former London Hospital Conservation Area.

The applicant’s agent explained that the proposals would generate a number of public benefits, including the creation of a significant life sciences cluster, provision of affordable workspace, and improvements to public realm. He said that the scheme was vital to:

“realise the strategic vision to provide a new world class life sciences cluster in proximity to the Royal London Hospital."

The Committee accepted the Officer’s recommendation to grant planning permission.

Last week in Tower Hamlets:

• The Pensions Committee discussed upcoming actuarial valuations, communications with members and employers, and the risks to the fund. They also heard deputations from trade unions on divestment from companies profiting from the oppression of Palestinians, the bombardment of Gaza, weapons manufacturing, and fossil fuels.
• The Council debated two motions, one from the Administration on Winter Fuel payments, and another from Labour on the Accommodation Placement Policy.
• The Overview & Scrutiny Committee considered a call-in of the Cabinet’s recent decision to award new contracts for the provision of domiciliary care services in Tower Hamlets.
• The Development Committee refused an application to redevelop Montgomery Square because of concerns about the impact on local businesses and increased traffic congestion.

Pensions Committee - Monday 30 September 2024

The Committee received training on the upcoming triennial valuation of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), heard deputations from trade unions on divestment from fossil fuel companies, arms manufacturers, and companies profiting from the oppression of Palestinians, and reviewed the Fund's Risk Register.

Actuarial valuation training

Barry Dodds, from Hymans Robertson, the Fund's actuary, presented the Committee with a training session explaining how actuarial valuations work and what the key issues are likely to be for the next valuation, which is due in March 2025.

Mr Dodds explained that the valuation is a risk management exercise that seeks to ensure that the fund has enough money to pay the benefits that have been promised to scheme members. He explained that the valuation process involves making assumptions about future investment returns, life expectancy and inflation, and that the level of prudence used in making those assumptions will have a significant impact on the funding level of the fund, and on the contribution rates that employers will be required to pay.

“There is not one single funding level that is the correct answer. This is all based on assumptions."

He explained that while the fund’s funding level had improved significantly since the last valuation in 2022, this was largely due to rises in interest rates, which had led to a reduction in the value placed on the fund's liabilities. He urged the Committee to be cautious about these figures, as they were sensitive to future investment returns, which are inherently volatile.

Mr Dodds also highlighted the potential impact of inflation on the fund, explaining that it increases the cost of benefits and therefore increases the fund's net cash flow requirements. He explained that recent pension increases of 10.1% in 2023 and 6.7% in 2024 have had a significant impact on the fund’s cash flow position, as the fund is now required to pay out more money in benefits than it is receiving in contributions.

He explained that the Committee could potentially use any surplus in the valuation to:

• Reduce employer contributions
• Change the investment strategy to be lower risk
• Increase the prudence level used in the valuation
• Retain the surplus and build up a buffer

Divestment from fossil fuels and arms manufacturers

The Committee also heard deputations from Kerry-Ann, Branch Secretary of Tower Hamlets UNISON, and Rupert Franklin, a social worker at Tower Hamlets Council and member of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS).

They asked the Council to commit to a plan of identifying and divesting from any companies that the fund is invested in that support or profit from:

• The Israeli State’s oppression of Palestinians
• The military bombardment of Gaza
• Weapons manufacturers
• Fossil fuel companies

They argued that the Council has a moral duty to ensure that its pension fund is not invested in companies that are contributing to climate change, human rights abuses, and the military occupation of Palestine. They highlighted the defeat of the Conservative government's anti-boycott bill, arguing that this has given councils greater freedom to make ethical investment decisions based on the values of their local communities.

Risk register review

The Committee reviewed the Fund’s Risk Register. Paul Audu, the Pensions Officer, explained that the risk ratings of three risks had been reduced following steps taken to mitigate them.

• HRP0019: Risk of increased liabilities due to yields/inflation out of sync with actuarial assumptions/forecasts.
• HRP0021: Risk that the London CIV and fund managers underperform.
• HRP0027: Risk of high pensions administration costs, processing errors, and IDRP costs¹.

Mr Audu explained how the rating of HRP0019, the risk of liabilities increasing due to market yields and inflation moving out of line with forecasts, had been reduced because of the improved funding level.

Mr Audu said that the rating of HRP0021, the risk of underperformance by the London CIV, had been reduced because the risk was being “intensely monitored” and because officers meet regularly with the London CIV to discuss strategy and managers.

“There is the presumption that we see and hear enough, and if things, you know, really get out of hand, then that should be picked up as part of the overall governance.”

Mr Audu explained that the rating of HRP0027 had been reduced from 16 to 4 because of the “comprehensive data cleanse” that was being undertaken and the recruitment of three new members of staff to the administration team.

Colin Robertson, the Fund’s Independent Advisor, disagreed with Mr Audu’s assessment of the London CIV, saying that they had “underperformed in seven out of eight funds in the previous year”, and had recently lost their Chief Investment Officer. He argued that the situation was “getting worse, not better”.

The Committee noted the Work Programs for the Committee and the Pension Board for the remainder of the 2024/25 municipal year.

Council - Wednesday 02 October 2024

The meeting of the full council considered a motion from the Aspire group proposing the creation of a Mayor’s Winter Emergency Fund to provide financial support to pensioners who were ineligible for the scrapped Winter Fuel Allowance, and a Labour motion calling on the Council to scrap its revised Homelessness Accommodation Placement Policy. The meeting also heard a petition about the renewal of the lease on the Attlee Centre.

Winter Fuel Allowance

The Aspire group proposed a motion to provide residents of pension age who are no longer eligible for the Winter Fuel Allowance due to the recent change of government with a payment of £165 towards their winter fuel bills.

Labour councillors proposed an amendment to the motion stating that the money should come from the Council’s General Fund and increasing the payment to £300 for residents over 80 and £200 for residents under 80, arguing that this was more in line with the original scheme. Labour councillors argued that the Council should step in to address hardship caused by their own government's recent changes to the Winter Fuel Allowance. Aspire members responded by arguing that they were stepping in to mitigate the impact of the Labour government’s cuts.

The amendment was defeated by 23 votes to 22. The original motion was then passed by the same margin.

Revised Homelessness Accommodation Placement Policy

Labour proposed a motion to scrap the Council’s recently adopted revised Homelessness Accommodation Placement Policy. The policy removed the 90-minute journey time cap on the distance residents could be relocated from the borough when being placed in temporary accommodation.

Councillor Asma Islam, who proposed the motion, highlighted the detrimental impact of the policy on families and argued that it had been introduced without proper consultation.

This is yet another example of the Mayor badging government money with his own brand.

She also criticised the Council’s performance in relation to housing.

Record number of unlawfully placed residents in bed and breakfast. Record number of applications still waiting to be processed.

Aspire proposed an amendment to the motion noting that the Mayor had already cancelled the proposed policy in a cabinet meeting on 11 September 2024.

Aspire members responded by arguing that the policy had already been in place before Mayor Rahman’s election in 2022, and that they had acted swiftly to reverse it when residents raised concerns.

Don't try and deceive the public.

The amendment was defeated by 39 votes to 23, and the original motion was then carried.

Save the Attlee Centre

Tania Shaikh, Chair of the Attlee Centre, presented a petition to the Council asking for the renewal of the Centre’s lease on peppercorn rent. She highlighted the Centre’s history and its role in the community since it was built in 2006. The Centre is located in Councillor Kabir Ahmed’s ward and he stated that he had visited it twice and seen the “fantastic work” the centre does.

Councillor Saeeda Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Resources and the Cost of Living, responded by saying that the lease would be reviewed in 2026, in line with Council processes. She explained that the Council recognises the contribution of the Attlee Centre and offers rent reductions of up to 80% to voluntary and community sector organisations under its Community Benefit Rent Reduction Scheme.

Standards Advisory Committee Report

John Pulford MBE, the Independent Chair of the Standards Advisory Committee, presented the Committee’s annual report to the Council. He highlighted the low number of complaints (only 3 out of 11 requiring investigation), and the success of the Council’s reporting requirements for gifts and hospitality. The Committee raised concerns about the length of time taken to resolve complaints, and Mr Pulford stated that voters should be informed of any breaches of the Councillor Code of Conduct by the elected members of the council.

Voters should be told.

Ethnic Pay Gap

Councillor Abdi Mohamed proposed a motion that the Council should formally adopt the GMB Race campaign for an Ethnicity Pay Gap. The motion was seconded by Councillor Kabir Ahmed, and passed unanimously. During the debate on the motion, Councillor Ahmed highlighted the diversity of the Council's senior officers.

Time-Banded Waste Collections

The Council considered a report seeking approval for the introduction of new Household and Commercial Waste Regulations and the implementation of time-banded waste collections. The new regulations will require residents and businesses in 31 streets to present their waste within specified two-hour time bands in the morning and evening.

The report explained that the new regulations were being introduced to improve the borough’s street scene and to reduce illegal dumping.

The Council has statutory powers to enforce household and commercial waste regulations. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in the issuing of fixed penalty notices.

Members of the Council debated how the regulations would be communicated to residents, and whether adequate consultation would take place.

Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Monday 30 September 2024

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered a call-in of the Cabinet’s decision to award contracts for the provision of domiciliary care services in Tower Hamlets. The committee ultimately voted to confirm the Cabinet’s decision.

Domiciliary Care Service Contract Award - Unrestricted Aspects

The meeting began with a discussion of the process by which the decision was made to award the contracts. Councillor Sirajul Islam, who proposed the call-in, questioned why the report on the proposed contracts had been presented to the Cabinet with less than two hours’ notice and argued that this had prevented proper scrutiny of the decision.

“This prevented scrutiny from opposition groups on the council…”

Councillor Islam also raised concerns about the Council's commitment to the UNISON Ethical Care Charter, to which it is a signatory. He noted that the report did not rule out the use of zero-hours contracts. In response, officers confirmed that the Council was still a signatory to the Charter and that all providers would be required to offer contracted hours to carers.

The committee expressed concern about the decision to split the contract between a larger number of smaller providers, rather than continuing to work with a smaller number of larger firms. Officers explained that this was intended to provide greater choice to service users, improve the Council's resilience, and make it easier for residents to manage their own care through direct payments.

“...it gives us more providers for residents to have some choice about who they receive services from…”

The committee also questioned what safeguards were in place to ensure that care is being delivered to a high standard by providers who are not registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Officers stated that all providers would be required to be registered with the CQC, and that the Council would be working with those who are not currently registered to help them achieve registration.

The committee then moved into private session to discuss the details of the contracts and the reasons for the urgency of the decision. After returning to public session, the committee voted to confirm the Cabinet’s decision.

Development Committee - Thursday 03 October 2024

The Development Committee met to consider an application for planning permission for the redevelopment of Montgomery Square and Water Street in Canary Wharf.

Montgomery Square redevelopment

The application by Canary Wharf Group proposed to redevelop Montgomery Square, which is currently a hard-landscaped square with an event space in the centre. The development would see the replacement of the existing 640 East café and bar with a larger, three-storey pavilion that would also be used as a restaurant. The plans also included the removal of a road running along the south side of the square, making it fully pedestrianised.

The report explained that 193 objections to the scheme had been received during the public consultation phase.

The large majority of the objections were from customers of a business which operates from within the square and primarily related to the loss of that business from the square.

Canary Wharf Group argued that 640 East had been offered a suitable alternative location within the estate on Water Street, and that the increased size of the new pavilion would make it unviable for the current business to operate from.

Water Street closure

The proposals also included the pedestrianisation of Water Street. Access would be maintained for servicing, deliveries, emergency vehicles, and blue badge holders.

Councillor Baskin raised concerns about the impact of the road closure on traffic flow on Preston’s Road, but the case officer, Nicholas Pelling, explained that the scheme was not expected to generate any additional traffic on the public highway.

Refusal of the Application

Some committee members expressed reservations about the plans. Councillor Rahman argued that the value of the development did not seem to be adequately reflected in the Section 106 contributions that would be secured if the application were approved.

“...the value of the development did not seem to be adequately reflected in the Section 106 contributions.”

Councillor Chowdhury echoed Councillor Rahman’s concerns, while Councillor Uddin was worried about the impact on 640 East.

Ultimately, the committee voted to reject the officers’ recommendation to approve the application. The decision was made because of concerns about the negative impact the road closures would have on local businesses and on traffic congestion.

This week in Tower Hamlets:

• The Tower Hamlets Health and Wellbeing Board discussed mental health, maternity care, violence against women and girls, and the Council's readiness for its forthcoming Care Quality Commission inspection.
• The Licensing Sub Committee considered two new license applications - one for a Taco Taco on Commercial Street and another for the Widow's Son on Devons Road.
• The Human Resources Committee received an update on the recent reorganisation of the Housing and Regeneration directorate, approved the extension of the contract for the Interim Director of Governance, and considered the results of the council's recent Early Retirement/Voluntary Redundancy scheme.

Tower Hamlets Health and Wellbeing Board - Monday 23 September 2024

The meeting discussed a range of local health and social care issues and updates, including a review of the Better Care Fund (BCF); an update on children's mental health provision; and a presentation about the Council's readiness for its forthcoming Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection of Adult Social Care.

Children's Mental Health

The meeting discussed the Children’s Mental Health report, which was presented to the Board as a matter of urgency given high levels of need in this area. The report highlighted increasing demand for children’s mental health services in Tower Hamlets, including from young people presenting with neurodevelopmental needs such as Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

The Board heard that investment in Children's Mental Health services has led to the development of a range of services, including the Tower Hamlets Emotional Wellbeing Service (THEWS), FUSE (which works with young people and families with more complex needs), and improvements to crisis and home treatment services.

Councillor Suluk Ahmed enquired about access to services for young people experiencing a mental health crisis. Sarah Wilson, Director of Children and Specialist Services at East London NHS Foundation Trust, confirmed that services have improved, with good access to crisis services, inpatient beds, intensive home treatment, and good provision for children with eating disorders.

“So there's stuff out there. I think the real challenge is how we get it out there”.

Dr Catherine Bell, Medical Director for Children's Services at ELFT, added that although access is good, work needs to be done to improve early intervention and prevent mental health issues escalating to a crisis. She highlighted the difficulties around assessment for ASD and ADHD, explaining that lengthy waiting lists are an issue both locally and nationally.

I don't think the answer is to just do more and more assessments. I think we need to think radically about how we approach that.

Councillor Wahid suggested that the Council needs to do more to encourage parents to engage with these services and asked how members could help to promote services. Steve Reddy, Corporate Director of Children’s Services, confirmed that plans are in place for a briefing for all members on SEND and Mental Health in the next few months. Grace Walker, Head of Commissioning and Strategy, added that the emotional mental health and wellbeing services are working with young people at a range of locations including the Youth Offending Service and via support for care leavers.

SEND Progress Update

Steve Reddy also presented an update on the Council's SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) services, including a draft of the Council's SEND and Inclusion Strategy 2024-2029, which had been developed through consultation with young people, families, schools and providers.

Councillor Suluk Ahmed asked how the strategy addressed support for young people with other diagnoses such as ADHD and OCD and also questioned whether the strategy addressed the gap in post-16 SEND provision. Mr Reddy confirmed that the strategy does encompass all SEND needs including ADHD and OCD, and that several of the strategy priorities specifically address age phases and transition support.

NEL Maternity & Neonatal Demand & Capacity

Philippa Cox, Clinical Lead for the North East London Maternity and Neonatal Service at the North East London Integrated Care Board (NEL ICB), presented an overview of the NEL Maternity and Neonatal Demand & Capacity work programme. This piece of work is being undertaken in response to a growing population and increasing complexity in the needs of pregnant women and babies, as well as a need to improve equity of access and quality in services.

The work programme has two key stages: firstly, to develop an understanding of current needs and issues; and secondly, to work with clinicians and service users to design future models of care. The Board heard that clinical working groups and stakeholder engagement events have been completed and service user engagement is currently underway. Ms Cox explained that Carnell Farrar, who have been commissioned by NEL ICB to support the work programme, are writing up their findings. The resulting report will be reviewed by the ICB Board and individual trust boards and it is hoped that recommendations will be agreed and a consultation launched in November.

Shereen James Courtney, Group Director of Midwifery at Barts Health, also provided a brief overview of the maternity services provided at the Royal London Hospital. She highlighted the importance of improving patient experience, including culturally appropriate care, and described a number of recent improvements including the introduction of a new self-referral pathway which has been translated into 100 languages and a new triaging system for urgent maternity care.

Matthew Adrien, Service Director at Healthwatch Tower Hamlets, asked how the Maternity and Neonatal Service intended to address negative feedback raised in the Maternity Voices Partnership Chair’s report, which described service users’ experiences of the Maternity Triage service. Ms James Courtney confirmed that the report had been reviewed, and that feedback is being used to improve the service.

“The way that women and birthing people are using triage as a 24/7 access all area has become incredibly challenging for us in terms of environment and resourcing and timeliness of care”

She explained that the new triaging system for urgent care introduced in August will improve patient flow and safety.

Sabrina Wells, Patient Experience and Quality Lead Midwife at Barts Health, also described plans to address concerns around staff attitudes, including a patient experience development day for all staff working in maternity. She also confirmed that the service is planning to expand the birth reflection service to improve support for women who have had previous traumatic experiences.

VAWG Strategy 2024-29

Simon Smith, Head of Community Safety at Tower Hamlets Council, presented the VAWG (Violence Against Women and Girls) and Women’s Safety Strategy, which is to be considered by Cabinet on 16 October. The new strategy was developed to build on the progress made under the previous strategy which expired in 2024, as well as to broaden its focus beyond the criminal justice and community safety team.

The Strategy includes three overarching priorities: Prevention and Safety; Supporting Victims and Survivors; and Responding to Perpetrators. Simon Smith highlighted the need for all stakeholders to take ownership of VAWG, explaining that “VAWG is everyone’s business”.

He added that the strategy adopts an intersectional approach to violence and abuse, recognising that vulnerabilities to violence can be compounded by factors such as housing need, substance misuse, and mental health.

Naveed Mughal, Strategy and Policy Officer at Tower Hamlets Council, also described the process of developing the new strategy, including the methodology and engagement undertaken. He highlighted the need to incorporate the views of local residents, explaining that more than 370 residents and 120 professionals were engaged during the strategy development process.

“There’s a lot of collaboration that we’ve had with residents and stakeholders in developing this work.”

Councillor Amy Lee questioned whether there were areas where partnership working could be strengthened to improve identification of VAWG. Simon Smith confirmed that the action plan underpinning the strategy has strengthened the partnership response, with more services and organisations taking part. He added that the partnership’s focus is now on strengthening links with schools to ensure that young people are educated about misogyny and VAWG.

We do consider that some of the issues that we currently face around misogyny and violence really do need to be addressed with younger people in the school system.

CQC Inspection Readiness

Margaret Young, Interim Director of Adult Social Care, presented an update on the Council’s readiness for the Care Quality Commission (CQC) Inspection of Adult Social Care (ASC). The CQC are inspecting all councils with responsibility for adult social care services. The Council has not yet been notified of inspection but this could happen at any time.

She explained that once a council is formally notified, it has a week to submit information to CQC, including a self-assessment, an information return, and details of 50 cases that CQC will use for case tracking. The inspection process will conclude with an onsite visit involving interviews with key stakeholders, including the Mayor and senior managers. The overall process may take up to six months.

Ms Young also described the progress made to prepare for inspection, including holding a peer review in January 2024 to support reflection and continuous learning. She confirmed that a programme of communications with council staff is underway, including a dedicated conference on CQC in October 2023 and a webinar in June 2024, with monthly videos and presentations also provided to staff teams.

“There’s a range of different things without going into all the detail, but yeah, we’re very much working with staff, sort of talking about it all the time and helping to prepare them and providing opportunities for them to tell us what they need and kind of responding to that as well.”

Councillor Suluk Ahmed enquired whether any work had been done to ensure that more recent members of staff understand the inspection process. Ms Young confirmed that staff are being offered the opportunity to attend a briefing and familiarisation session provided by the Local Government Association, and that information and briefings are also being shared with staff in partner organisations. She explained that the peer review in January was very positive.

“I think there is a very good story to be told”

Better Care Fund 2023-25 Review

The meeting received an update on the ongoing review of the Tower Hamlets Better Care Fund (BCF). This review aims to ensure that the allocation of funding and existing schemes are effective and will inform future planning.

Iliya Islam, Better Care Fund Programme Lead, reported that the review includes an audit of all individual BCF schemes to ascertain spending, confirm their continued relevance, and ensure alignment with THT priorities.

"Overall, the review is a comprehensive process that seeks to be one that assesses the effectiveness of our current initiatives, the spend and establishes internal performance reporting.”

In addition to this, the review will also include recommendations for new schemes to be included in the next BCF plan. Councillor Suluk Ahmed questioned whether the budget allocations were sufficient to meet increased demand and costs for services. Ms Islam confirmed that inflationary increases have been applied to all relevant schemes, and that the Council is awaiting the outcome of the spending review to understand any future uplifts.

Councillor Wahid also asked how the Better Care Fund objectives were localised to meet the needs of Tower Hamlets residents. Ms Islam explained that the national conditions and metrics for the BCF are set by the Department for Health and Social Care, and that while these are aligned with the THT priorities, the collection of borough-level data that could demonstrate the specific impact on Tower Hamlets is not routinely collected.

Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment 2023

The meeting received the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment 2023 for information. The Board heard that the assessment is a statutory requirement which takes place every five years, and that all 51 pharmacies in Tower Hamlets were consulted as part of the 2023 assessment. Councillor Vicky Scott highlighted a gap in provision on Saturday evenings and noted that there were no 100-hour pharmacies in the north-west or south-east localities.

Tower Hamlets Health and Wellbeing Board and the Tower Hamlets Together - proposal for future arrangements

The Board agreed to defer consideration of this item. It was noted that there is a degree of duplication between the Health and Wellbeing Board and the Tower Hamlets Together (THT) Board and that THT also plays a role as the place committee of the ICB. A further meeting will be scheduled to discuss this in more detail ahead of the next Health and Wellbeing Board meeting in December.

Licensing Sub Committee - Tuesday 24 September 2024

The Licensing Sub-Committee met to consider two applications for new premises licences: one for Taco Taco at 141 Commercial Street and one for The Widow's Son at 75 Devon's Road. The committee decided that they would not announce their decisions at the meeting, but would instead inform the applicants of their decision in writing within five working days.

Taco Taco, 141 Commercial Street

The applicant, Mr Damien Aiudi, sought a new premises licence to sell alcohol for consumption on and off the premises from 12:00 to 21:00, Monday to Sunday. The application had been opposed by 11 residents of The Cloisters, a residential development above the premises. The residents were concerned about the noise levels, the potential for antisocial behavior, and the smells from the kitchen.

The applicant sought to reassure the sub-committee that Taco Taco was a small, food-led establishment and not an alcohol-led venue. He stated that the sale of alcohol was intended solely to complement the dining experience and that he had agreed to conditions with the police, including a Challenge 25 scheme¹ and the requirement for all off-sales to be in sealed containers and ancillary to a food order for delivery only.

The Licensing Authority, acting as a Responsible Authority, also raised concerns about the application. In their written representation, the Licensing Authority noted that the premises were in the Brick Lane Cumulative Impact Zone. The Council’s Licensing Policy states that applications for the grant or variation of premises licences or club premises certificates which are likely to add to the existing cumulative impact will normally be refused following the receipt of representations, unless the applicant can demonstrate in the operation schedule that there will be no negative cumulative impacts with one or more of the licensing objectives.

The Licensing Authority also stated that they were concerned that the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises would encourage customers to drink in the street, and that this would potentially undermining the licensing objectives.

During the meeting, members of the sub-committee questioned the applicant about how they would ensure compliance with the conditions offered to the police and the Licensing Authority.

Mr Aiudi accepted that some of the conditions they had offered were not sufficiently specific. In one exchange, he agreed to amend a condition about monitoring and maintaining outdoor spaces at the premises:

We can do every 30 minutes, every 20 minutes is really important.

The Widow's Son, 75 Devon's Road

The applicant, Mr Selim Balta, was seeking a new licence to replace the existing licence for the pub, which had been revoked following a police raid in November 2022. The new licence would allow for the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises between 12:00 to 22:30 from Sunday to Thursday, and between 12:00 to 23:30 on Friday and Saturday. Late night refreshment would be allowed between 23:00 to 00:00 on Friday and Saturday.

Two residents, Mr Josh Oldham and Ms Rebecca Oldham, had objected to the application, citing the pub's previous history of noise and antisocial behavior. Ms Oldham stated that she and her neighbours had been forced to involve their MP, Apsana Begum, before the Council engaged with them. She was also concerned that recent building works to the roof of the pub indicated that it would be used to accommodate patrons.

Mr Oldham described the impact the pub had had on their lives before it closed:

Our mental health was severely impacted at this time, our work suffered, and we looked to move out, viewing four flats in a different borough. As soon as the pub closed, we stopped our search, and have happily remained at the flat.

The applicant, who was represented by an agent, Mr Dilek Alagoz, argued that the new licence would allow for a different style of operation. Mr Alagoz said that the new owners had no connections with the previous owner, and that they intended to run a family business and a family welcoming pub, mostly like a restaurant. They had also agreed to a number of conditions with the Environmental Health department in order to mitigate the risk of noise nuisance to residents. These conditions, which were listed in the Officer's Report, included limiting the number of patrons permitted to temporarily leave and re-enter the premises, such as to smoke, to 8 at any one time, and requiring all windows and external doors to be kept closed when regulated entertainment took place.

Human Resources Committee - Thursday 26 September 2024

The Human Resources Committee of Tower Hamlets Council met on Thursday 26 September 2024. The Committee received an update on the recent reorganisation of the Housing and Regeneration directorate. Members were informed of the results of the council's recent Early Retirement/Voluntary Redundancy scheme, and gave their approval to extend the contract of the Interim Director of Governance.

Housing and Regeneration Restructure

Paul Patterson, the Interim Corporate Director for Housing and Regeneration, updated the committee on the recent restructure of his department.

Mr Patterson reminded the committee that the Housing and Regeneration directorate had been formed in November 2023 when the council brought Tower Hamlets Homes (THH) in house. The new directorate began work immediately on a restructuring that would see the integration of THH into the council's existing housing management function. The restructure plans were presented to the committee at their meeting on 16 May 2024, and were implemented on 1 September 2024.

The new structure creates separate divisions for Strategy and Policy, Housing Options, Housing Supply, and Regeneration, Housing and Supply of Assets.

Mr Patterson also reported that David Joyce would be taking up his position as the new permanent Corporate Director for Housing and Regeneration on 1 October 2024. One of Mr Joyce's first tasks will be to oversee the recruitment processes for a number of vacant positions in the directorate.

The committee asked Mr Patterson to circulate a chart of the new structure to them after the meeting.

Employee Relations Casework and Policy Quarterly Review

Liz Hensley, Interim Head of Corporate Human Resources, presented the committee with an Employee Relations Casework and Policy Quarterly Review.

The report showed that there had been a significant increase in the number of employee relations cases being handled by the council, with a total of 81 cases handled in Quarter 1 2024/25, up from 63 in Quarter 4 2023/24.

Of significance, numbers of formal cases are increasing, and the trade unions as well as senior management are concerned about the length of time taken to resolve cases.

The committee raised a number of issues in relation to the report, including:

• The length of time it takes to resolve cases.
• The need to support managers to deal with cases more effectively and informally.
• The lack of administrative support for investigating officers.
• The need to ensure that all those involved in disciplinary and grievance cases are aware of their safeguarding responsibilities.

The committee asked Ms Hensley to provide more contextual information on the cases in future reports.

Senior Recruitment Update

Liz Hensley, Interim Head of Corporate Human Resources, presented a report that provided an update on the recruitment to senior management vacancies.

For director of public realm, we are just going out to mark of housing management, the director of housing options and homelessness, the director of regeneration and housing assets, and the senior head of housing.

The committee sought clarification on a number of issues in the report, including:

• Director of Youth and Commissioning. The committee were confused by the fact that the report stated that the role of Director of Youth and Commissioning was vacant, as they believed it was currently being filled on an interim basis. > So the title matches with the name that I have in mind, and as far as our council email and our system, it says this person is employed for this role, so either this is a typo, which could be, but it's the wrong information.

Ms Hensley agreed to look into the discrepancy and report back to the committee.

• Lead in time for Director of Legal Services. The committee noted that the lead in time between the interview process for the Director of Legal Services concluding and the successful candidate taking up their position would be unusually long, and queried the reasons for this. > I'd like to know when the interview, when was the last day of the interview, because the lead in time for this role is longer than what I know to be usual, so it feels like a six month, seven months type of leading, and that would be a discussion between the chief exec and the candidate.

The committee asked that future reports include details on the costs of appointing interim staff.

The committee expressed their approval at the fact that the council has now recruited permanently to all of its statutory Corporate Director roles.

Just on a positive note, I just wanted to mention the fact that we've got permanent recruitment in all corporate director positions, I think is important to note, so the fact that George Ishambani has already started, we've got Julie here, David Joyce, we're excited to welcome, and the same as the monitoring officer. I think that's a very important step for this administration, this council, and I guess there are other, sadly, London authorities, and even across the country, that don't have permanent members of their corporate leadership team. So I'm really proud that we have managed to secure those positions to permanent basis.

Decision The committee voted to approve the request to extend the contract of the Interim Director of Governance for a period of six months.

Update on Savings from ER/VR

The committee were due to receive a verbal update on the savings that the council had made as a result of its Early Retirement and Voluntary Redundancy (ER/VR) scheme. The Director of Corporate Efficiency was unable to attend the meeting, so Julie Lorraine, the Corporate Director of Resources, updated the members. Ms Lorraine explained that 58 members of staff had left the council under the scheme, and that a detailed report on the savings would be circulated to members. The committee expressed their disappointment at the lack of information available to them on the issue.

This week in Tower Hamlets:

• The Housing & Regeneration Scrutiny Sub Committee discussed the merger of Tower Hamlets Community Housing with the Hyde Group, the new Tenant's Voice panel, its priorities for 2024/25, and two Ombudsman reports.
• The Grants Determination (Cabinet) Sub-Committee discussed the renewal of funding agreements for Mudchute Park and Farm and Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, the performance of the Mayor's Community Grant Programme, and grants awarded under delegated authority.
• The Standards Advisory Committee discussed new guidance for standards committees, reviewed its Code of Conduct and related procedures, and discussed recent complaints about councillors.
• The Licensing Committee meeting has been postponed.
• The Licensing Sub Committee granted a licence to Perfetto Pizza and The Pickle Factory, subject to conditions, and approved a number of decision deadline extensions.
• The Pension Board received training about the next triennial valuation of the Local Government Pension Scheme, agreed to delay a decision on the report on the cessation of City Gateway College, and noted a range of other reports.
• The Transformation Advisory Board met, but the discussion was not made public.

Housing & Regeneration Scrutiny Sub Committee - Monday 16 September 2024

This meeting consisted of five spotlight discussions: an update on Tower Hamlets Community Housing (THCH); a presentation on the newly established Tenant's Voice panel; priorities for 2024/25; an update from THCH in response to residents' feedback; and the presentation of two Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman reports and the council's action plans in response to them.

Tower Hamlets Community Housing

Mandeep Bogle, Director of Operations at THCH, gave a presentation responding to residents' feedback from the previous meeting on 24 June 2024. This largely consisted of an explanation of the organisation's plans to merge with the Hyde Group, a large Housing Association, as a result of THCH's limited capacity to deliver improvements.

The merger is a response to a number of factors, including the Right to Buy scheme reducing THCH's rental income by around a third since the stock transfer, as well as the large cost of fire safety works following the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017. Ms Bogle stated that the cost of fire safety works, also known as fire remediation works, would be around £50 million for THCH. She argued that seeking a merger would accelerate improvements for residents and allow for investment in their housing stock.

Councillors raised concerns about the lack of communication and engagement with residents. They also asked about how residents are being involved in prioritisation of works. Ms Bogle stated that THCH remained a local and community based organisation. She assured the committee that Hyde was committed to keeping THCH local and investing in community benefits and social value. She also argued that Hyde's investment would allow for the acceleration of works on schemes such as lift upgrades at Luke House, kitchen and bathroom upgrades, and roof upgrades.

Tenant's Voice panel

Councillor Kabir Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Inclusive Development & Housebuilding, and Paul Patterson, Director of Housing and Regeneration, presented an update on the council's Tenant's Voice panel. This panel was established following the 'insourcing' of Tower Hamlets Homes by the council in November 2023, and as a response to the Regulator for Social Housing's new consumer standards, which came into force in April 2024.

The panel is intended to give residents a formal way to engage with the council's housing management services and to scrutinise the council's strategies, policies and service design.

The meeting discussed the purpose and work plan of the panel, its role in working with the Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny Sub-Committee, and recommendations for its future reporting.

Councillors questioned the effectiveness of the panel and asked what would be done to ensure it would not be a 'talking shop'. Councillor Ahmed stated that the panel had an important role in driving how housing is delivered in the borough, and that he and the Mayor would meet with the panel every six months. Mr Patterson argued that the panel was an important part of the council's response to the new consumer standards, which require landlords to listen to residents and design their services around residents' needs.

Housing and Regeneration priorities for 2024/25

Councillor Ahmed and Mr Patterson presented the council's priorities for Housing and Regeneration for 2024/25.

Councillor Ahmed highlighted the recent discovery of ACM cladding¹ at Randall House, which had previously been thought to have been removed, as an example of the council's commitment to ensuring its housing stock meets the new regulatory assurance standards brought in under the Social Housing Regulation Act 2023. He stated that the council was prioritising cladding remediation works at schemes like Randall House and Johnson House.

The presentation outlined five key areas for the council:

• Housing Management
• Regulation and Compliance
• Housing Supply
• Planning and Place-Based Regeneration
• Homelessness

The presentation outlined a number of priorities, including expanding the council's direct delivery of housing and increasing engagement with housing providers to better understand their regeneration ambitions. The council also plans to consult with council tenants and leaseholders on a new engagement strategy.

Councillors raised concerns about the lack of focus on the direct delivery of housing, and argued that the council should be prioritising building council homes. Councillor Ahmed responded by arguing that the council was committed to delivering social housing, and that the new Local Plan would seek to increase the amount of social housing in new developments from 35% to 40%.

On homelessness, Councillor Ahmed argued that the council was committed to driving down costs. He outlined a number of ways in which the council is trying to reduce the use of commercial accommodation, such as a buy-back scheme, the development of new Council housing, and by proactively engaging with Registered Providers.

Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman

Usman Zia, the council's Head of Information Governance, Leah Owen, Director of Customer Services, and Councillor Ahmed presented the committee with two public interest reports from the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.

The reports identified a number of failings in the council's housing services, including delays in responding to residents' queries and failures to properly consider residents' medical needs when making housing decisions.

The committee asked what steps the council was taking to ensure that these failings would not be repeated. Councillor Ahmed stated that the council had increased the number of staff working on housing complaints and that there was a renewed focus on compliance within the Housing Management team.

He highlighted that a number of new systems were being implemented to improve the council's services and reduce delays, including a new telephony system. Mo Hussain, Interim Director of Housing Options and Homelessness, also confirmed that the Housing Options team would be undertaking training on homelessness legislation, allocations policy, suitability, and HHSRS inspections².

Grants Determination (Cabinet) Sub-Committee - Wednesday 18 September 2024

This meeting was about the performance of grants schemes, as well as approving new grants to community organisations. The committee was also scheduled to note individual grant decisions that had been taken by the Mayor since the last meeting.

Renewal of Service Level Agreement of Mudchute Park and Farm

The committee was asked to approve the renewal of the Service Level Agreement (SLA) with the Mudchute Association for the management of Mudchute Park and Farm. The report pack stated that the SLA was to be in the sum of £31,000.

The report pack explains the history and context of the agreement:

The site is owned by the local authority and has been managed by the local charitable organisation since the land was secured though community lobbying as a public park in 1974. To provide support to the organisation for the maintenance, upkeep and ongoing community access, the Council has had a service level agreement with the Mudchute Association for over 20 years.

The report pack also explains the alternative options the council considered, and why the chosen option was preferred:

Cease providing support for the maintenance and management of the site. This would have a very negative impact on the Mudchute Association and the valuable services they provide. Although, as is pointed out in section 3, the Council’s contribution to the organisation’s income does not represent a high percentage of their turnover, the support of the local authority is essential for unlocking other funding sources, and cessation of this support could potentially have a negative knock-on effect resulting in the reduction (or loss) of other funding. These projects are extremely valued by local residents, and well embedded in the community, and cessation (or, indeed reduction) of this support is likely to elicit considerable protest from local residents.

Renewal of Service Level Agreement of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park

The committee was also asked to approve the renewal of the Service Level Agreement with the Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park for the management of the site. The report pack stated that the SLA was to be in the sum of £31,900.

Mayor’s Community Grant Programme (MCGP) Performance Report – Apr-Jun 24

The report pack stated that the committee was scheduled to receive a report on the performance of the Mayor's Community Grant Programme for the period April - June 2024.

The report pack stated that 106 of the 110 projects were classified as GREEN, 3 as AMBER, and 1 as RED. The single RED rated project was being reported to the committee for the second consecutive quarter as RED, and it was for the committee to make a decision on whether to continue to fund it. The project in question was the LWA Community Language Bengali and Arabic Support Programme which is run by the Limehouse Welfare Association.

The report pack explains that the project was rated RED because:

No delivery took place in Apr – Jun 24. Preparation work took place with the intention to deliver in June but delays in booking the venue meant delivery took place in July

The report pack recommends that the committee consider two options for dealing with the underperformance of this project.

The first is:

The project activity and targets are revised to take into account the delayed start with the lifetime grant funding of £76,533 reduced to £67,200 due to the non-delivery between Nov 23 and Jun 24.

The second is:

The project grant funding is withdrawn. Any evidenced spend on the activity in July is reimbursed but the project is ended following the process set out in the Funding Agreement for termination of the funding. New activity is commissioned to deliver the activity to the residents in the area.

The report pack goes on to list each of the projects that received a rating of AMBER, explaining what the issues were and what was being done to address them.

VCS Funding Awarded Under Delegated Authority

The report pack stated that the committee was scheduled to note details of funding that had been awarded under delegated authority since the last meeting. The report pack lists two organisations that had been awarded money from the council's Emergency Fund since the last meeting:

• Grand Union Orchestra - £6,480.00
• Tower Hamlets Community Transport - £6,100.00

The report pack explains the purpose of the emergency fund:

The Emergency Funding is grant support from the Council to local VCS organisations based in Tower Hamlets who are facing a significant loss of council funding. Organisations can apply for one-off grants up to £10,000. Applicants must clearly demonstrate the need for the funding and the fact that they are facing an unforeseen emergency.

The report pack also includes the details of what each organisation planned to spend the money on. For example:

Tower Hamlets Community Transport applied for emergency funding to improve their building's functionality... The organisation has been awarded £6,100 of emergency funding to replace stained floor tiles with easy-to-clean industrial lino. In addition to upgrading LED lighting throughout the building (depot & office) for better visibility, reduced energy consumption, and a more positive user environment.

The report also stated that the committee was scheduled to note that there had been no new awards of funding from the Community Benefit Rent Reduction Scheme. The scheme is described in the report pack:

The Community Benefit Rent Reduction (CBRR) scheme was set up by the Council to acknowledge the value of the work carried out by VCS organisations leasing its premises through a reduction in the rent payable. The Council charges an appropriate ‘market’ level rent for its premises and organisations can apply for up to 80% of this as a rent reduction... CBRR is only available for short leases of three to five years. To qualify, organisations need to meet several criteria relating to governance, management and quality standards. Full details of the scheme are set out on in the council’s VCS Premises Policy...

Finally, the report stated that the committee was scheduled to note that the first round of the council's Small Grants Programme for 2024/25 had closed on 28 June 2024, and the recommendations were awaiting a decision. The report pack describes the Small Grants Programme:

The Council’s Strategic Plan 2022-26 sets out eight priorities designed to improve outcomes for residents. This includes a commitment to partnership working with the voluntary and community sector. In March 2023 Cabinet agreed a new Grants Policy & Outcomes Framework with a commitment to provide long-term funding to enable the achievement of our shared vision to ‘support and invest in a thriving and diverse VCS to enable it to improve outcomes for Tower Hamlets residents’... To support this vision, the Council launched the Mayors Small Grants Programme on Monday 11th December 2023. The new programme provides £800,000 of annual grant funding between November 2023 – March 2027. The Small Grants is targeted at small voluntary and community sector organisations with an income under £150,000, to ensure a wide range of organisations can access Council funding.

Standards Advisory Committee - Wednesday 18 September 2024

The committee discussed guidance for standards committees that is being prepared by the LGA, and decided to suggest to the LGA that Tower Hamlets' unusual standards committee structure be considered for inclusion in the new guidance. The committee also agreed to review its Code of Conduct and consider creating a new protocol about gifts and hospitality. The committee also discussed its communications responsibilities and the delays it had been experiencing in getting responses to complaints about Councillors.

Local Government Association Standards Committee Guidance

The committee discussed a draft of best practice guidance that is being prepared for the Local Government Association (LGA) by Hoey Ainscough Associates³. The committee had previously provided feedback on the new guidance at its meeting in June. The committee learned that the LGA is particularly interested in Tower Hamlets' unusual standards committee structure. In Tower Hamlets the standards committee is made up of an equal number of elected Councillors and unelected co-opted members⁴, and is chaired by a co-opted member. Most councils have standards committees made up only of Councillors. The committee decided it would write to Paul Hoey⁵ to suggest that the LGA's guidance should include consideration of Tower Hamlets' model, as it is an excellent way of:

demonstrating the independence of the Committee relative to the political groups and ensuring that no one party would ever have a majority on the Committee.

The committee then discussed some potential issues raised by the draft guidance:

• Restorative Justice: The committee discussed whether restorative justice⁶ should be considered as an alternative to its existing arrangements for handling complaints against Councillors.
  
• Formal Member Development: The committee discussed whether it should be more formally involved with Member development.
• Liaison with other committees: The committee discussed whether it should have a formal liaison with other committees, in particular the Audit Committee.
• Working with residents and stakeholders: The committee noted that whilst the guidance suggested standards committees should be working with stakeholders and residents, it did not specify how that should be done.
• Member Officer Relations Protocol: The committee discussed whether it should take on responsibility for the Member Officer Relations Protocol⁷.

No decisions were taken on any of these matters.

Standards in Public Life Webpage

The committee considered the creation of a webpage on the council's website that explains what 'Standards in Public Life' are. The purpose of the webpage would be to make clear the importance Tower Hamlets Council places on Standards in Public Life, and to signpost residents to more information on the topic. It was proposed that the new webpage should be a summary of the Seven Principles of Public Life⁸ - also known as the Nolan Principles - and should link to the website of the Committee on Standards in Public Life. The committee reviewed a draft of the webpage and suggested some improvements to its content and presentation. The committee also suggested that the page should include quotes from the Chief Executive and the Mayor. Councillor Sirajul Islam suggested the page should also be linked from the Council's 'Be a Councillor' campaign webpage.

Annual Review of the Member Code of Conduct and related procedures

The committee reviewed its Code of Conduct for Members⁹, and related procedures for handling complaints. The review was required by the Code of Conduct. The committee considered an officer suggestion that Appendix C of the Code of Conduct - which describes the procedures for dealing with complaints - be removed from the Code of Conduct and merged with the committee's procedures. The committee discussed the content of the new combined procedures document and suggested some minor changes. These included making it clear that there is no right of appeal against a decision of a hearings subcommittee. Councillor Fiona Browne noted that:

potentially pretty much anything a council does is judicially reviewable

The committee also considered the arrangements for standards complaints about Councillors when they are fulfilling a council appointment on an outside body. Jill Bayley, the Deputy Monitoring Officer said that:

if somebody is appointed as a councilor to an appeal to an external body and someone makes a complaint about them on that external body... they will be subject to this procedure and not the external body's procedure

Councillor Elizabeth Marshall MBE said that the council's arrangements for managing this were unclear and that:

the LGA guidance, might it be a good idea to suggest that IPs should be welcomed to attend standards committees because there was a little bit of uncertainty at one point as to whether it was legitimate for them to be there?

The committee learned that the council had previously provided training to Councillors on their responsibilities when serving on outside bodies, and that Bethan Evans¹⁰ had presented it. The committee asked for the slides from the training session to be circulated.

Standards Advisory Committee - Report on Code of Conduct Matters

The committee considered a report on the Code of Conduct complaints received by the council between 1 May 2024 and 16 August 2024. The committee was told that during that period 2 new complaints had been received, that 4 complaints from the previous year had been closed without a hearing, and that 1 complaint was still awaiting consideration by the Monitoring Officer and an Independent Person. The committee was told that a complaint that had been investigated was now closed because the Monitoring Officer had decided to take no further action. The committee was also told that a complaint referred to in its June report as having been referred to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman had been closed by the council and that no referral had been made. The complainant had subsequently made a referral to the ombudsman.

The committee then discussed delays in handling complaints. Councillor Asma Islam said:

that seems to be the only one on this list at the moment and I was just looking at the date range between the date perceived by the monitoring office of June 2023 and actually being like you say going to the LGS CO on a year later... Is that typical for the process to take that long or was it as you referred that there was time lag between getting information between officers and members because that seems to take a lot I mean if we had a sudden surge of complaints then one would think that if one is taking a year then a number of others would take a lot longer and what is our capacity to be able to deal with more complaints coming in.

Jill Bayley, the Deputy Monitoring Officer said the delay had been caused by a change of Monitoring Officer and that:

Most of them are much shorter as you'll be able to see by the dates.

The committee was told that getting responses from Councillors who are the subject of a complaint is a problem, and that in one case the Monitoring Officer had had to ask a political group to intervene to get a response. The committee was told that the council's Independent Persons have been reminding Councillors that they have to cooperate with complaints procedures. Councillor Elizabeth Marshall MBE said:

delays... made the complaint cases into bigger things than they actually were in the first place. And I think maybe members don't think it's important, which it often doesn't seem to be... members need to be encouraged to respond in a timely manner... maybe we need sanctions against them

Councillor Fiona Browne said that the delays meant that there were:

so many gaps for something to go wrong. Not that I don't trust our officers and our members... but it's open to abuse... counsellors can also abuse this process by not responding back

Councillor Sirajul Islam suggested that the political groups should take responsibility for ensuring their members respond quickly.

The committee was told that a lack of informal resolutions¹¹ of complaints was also an issue, but that the Monitoring Officer was becoming more proactive about achieving them. The committee was told that the number of standards complaints received by Tower Hamlets was relatively low.

Work Plan

The committee noted that it would need to schedule a meeting to discuss its response to the LGA's consultation on its new guidance on standards committees.

Any Other Business

The Chair raised three matters under Any Other Business:

• His Price: The committee was told that the council is still waiting for His Price¹² to provide an estimate for a survey of members' views on the effectiveness of the committee.
• Media Mentions: The chair reminded the committee that it had previously asked to be informed of any media mentions of Tower Hamlets, and that it had not yet received any. He noted that whilst he had seen the council mentioned in the media, he had not been informed through the internal processes the council had agreed to establish for this. Councillor Abu Chowdhury said that Councillors had also previously been sent:

an email that said, gave a brief link to everything... We haven't had that for at least around six months, maybe more.

The committee agreed that the chief executive should be reminded of its request to be informed of media mentions of the council.

• Best Value Inspection: The Chair asked when the report of the council's recent Best Value Inspection¹³ would be published. He was told that nobody knew.

Licensing Sub Committee - Thursday 19 September 2024

The Licensing Sub Committee of Tower Hamlets Council met on Thursday 19 September 2024. The Committee heard two applications. The first, for Perfetto Pizza at 391 Cambridge Heath Road was granted for Monday-Sunday 23:00 to 03:00, with 01:00 to 03:00 being delivery only. The second, for a new premises licence for The Pickle Factory at 11-14 The Oval was granted subject to conditions. The committee also approved a number of deadline extensions for licensing applications.

The Pickle Factory

The application for The Pickle Factory at 11-14 The Oval was for a new Premises Licence to authorise the sale of alcohol, the provision of regulated entertainment, and the provision of late night refreshment.

The application was opposed by several residents and by the Environmental Health Service. The principal concerns related to noise breakout from the premises and the potential for anti-social behaviour (ASB).

Mr Butt, the solicitor acting for the applicant, stated that the applicant intended to surrender the existing licence for The Pickle Factory at 14 The Oval if the new application was granted. He highlighted the benefits that a combined venue at 11-14 The Oval would bring to the local area, including a significant investment in refurbishment and soundproofing. He also described the extensive community work that the applicant had been involved in.

Reverend Petras Gucevicius, of the Lithuanian Church, which is located at 5 The Oval, spoke of his concerns that granting the application would lead to a repeat of the problems experienced when the venue at 29-32 The Oval was operating as Oval Space. He said that there had been a number of serious incidents, including shootings and stabbings, and that there had been recurring problems with noise, littering and public urination.

Levi Rijper, speaking on behalf of residents at 24 The Oval, which is located directly opposite The Pickle Factory, said that residents were concerned about the impact of noise from the courtyard at the rear of the premises. Sebastian Fernandez, a resident at Impress Works, echoed these concerns and said that he had frequently had to contact the premises in the early hours of the morning and ask them to reduce the music volume.

In response, Mr Butt said that the premises had commissioned an independent acoustic report from Torben Anderson, a sound consultant. Mr Anderson said that he had proposed significant noise attenuation works to the premises. These included:

...the replacement and upgrading of the doors at the rear of the property to acoustic material in filling all windows and doors that are not currently in use at the rear and air locking and soundproofing the bridge between the premises.

Mr Butt also said that the applicant had agreed a condition that all regulated entertainment would be subject to a noise limiter, the level of which would be set by Environmental Health.

Members raised concerns about the impact of noise from vehicles, particularly mopeds. Mr Butt said that the applicant had agreed a condition that deliveries would be made in hybrid or electric vehicles after 01:00.

The application was granted, subject to conditions, including the surrender of the existing licence for 14 The Oval. The Environmental Health Service withdrew its objection after the applicant agreed conditions limiting the hours of operation for the courtyard, requiring a noise limiter, and limiting the number of people permitted in the external area at the front of the premises after 23:00. The Committee also imposed the condition, as requested by Mr Butt, requiring the noise attenuation works detailed in Mr Anderson's report to be completed before the new licence became operational.

Perfetto Pizza

The application for Perfetto Pizza at 391 Cambridge Heath Road was for a variation to the Premises Licence to extend the permitted hours for the provision of late night refreshment. The application was opposed by the Licensing Authority and the Environmental Health Service.

The application originally sought to extend the permitted hours to 05:00 seven days a week. Following discussions with the police, the applicant agreed to reduce the hours to 03:00, with 01:00 to 03:00 being delivery only.

Mohsin Ali, a Senior Licensing Officer, said that the premises were within the Bethnal Green Cumulative Impact Zone¹⁴ (CIZ) and that the applicant had failed to demonstrate that the variation would not negatively impact the licensing objectives. He drew attention to a complaint alleging that the premises had been operating past their permitted hours. Nicola Kadzo, an Environmental Health Officer, raised similar concerns and said that the applicant had not provided details of how they intended to mitigate noise and disturbance from delivery vehicles.

Abdulhadi Azimi, appearing on behalf of the applicant, Qari Azimi, said that the premises had been operating under their existing licence for over a year and that there had been no negative impact on the area. He said that the applicant used their own delivery drivers and did not employ third-party delivery drivers, who were more difficult to control.

Members expressed concern about noise from mopeds being used for deliveries. Mr Azimi said that his uncle had a hybrid car and that the applicant could use this for late-night deliveries. He agreed that if the application was granted, he would not use third-party delivery drivers and that he would use either a car or an electric vehicle for deliveries after 01:00.

The application was granted, subject to conditions, for the following hours:

Monday – Sunday 23:00 – 03:00 hours

Between 01:00 hours – 03:00 hours delivery only

Decision deadline extensions

The Committee agreed to extend the decision deadlines for a number of applications to 31 December 2024. These included an application for the Melbourne pub at 387 Roman Road, an application for 7 Eleven at 46 Brick Lane, and an application for One Canada Square at One Canada Square, Canary Wharf.

Pension Board - Monday 16 September 2024

The Board received training about the next triennial valuation of the Local Government Pension Scheme¹⁵. The board agreed to delay making a decision on the report on the cessation of City Gateway College, and noted a range of other reports.

Triennial Valuation Training

Barry Dodds of Hymans Robertson, the fund actuary, gave a presentation to the board on the upcoming 2025 actuarial valuation of the scheme.

He told the board that the fund was in a strong position, with a funding level of 163% as of June 2024.

So the funding level at the valuation last time around was one hundred and twenty three percent as at the end of June. It was one hundred and sixty percent one hundred and sixty three. We've estimated so.

This is significantly higher than the 123% that was reported at the last valuation in 2022. He explained that the main reason for this was the increase in interest rates.

The main impact has been rising interest rates and the corresponding and higher expected returns on the assets that the fund holds so generally speaking if interest rates go up and you can get higher returns on low risk assets you would expect to get higher returns on your higher risk assets that you hold as well within the fund.

This week in Tower Hamlets:

• The Overview & Scrutiny Committee considered the latest budget figures for this financial year, and learned more about the financial challenges presented by business rates appeals.
• The Cabinet decided to suspend implementation of a new policy allowing homeless families to be placed outside of London, and discussed the feee swimming programme, improvements to York Hall and Mile End Leisure Centre, improved waste collection schedules, investment in new market stalls on Whitechapel road and several other significant topics.
• The Licensing Sub Committee and the General Purposes Committee were both postponed.

Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday 10 September 2024

The Overview & Scrutiny Committee met this week to consider reports on the Quarter 1 2024/25 budget, business rates risks in the borough, and the Council’s new Transport Strategy. The Committee also considered the Local Government Ombudsman’s decision on a complaint about the Council’s handling of a Blue Badge application, and agreed its work programme for the year ahead.

Quarter 1 2024/25 Budget

The Committee considered a report detailing the Council's financial performance for the first quarter of the 2024-25 financial year. The report showed that the Council is forecasting an overspend of £13.3 million for the year, driven by nationally recognised pressures on adult social care, homelessness and special educational needs and disability (SEND).

Councillor Julie Lorraine, Corporate Director for Resources and Deputy Chief Executive, highlighted to the committee that these pressures were likely to be greater in inner London boroughs like Tower Hamlets, which has a high population density.

...these issues are national issues. Not only are they national issues but in an area like Tower Hamlets some of those national issues are amplified because of the cost and scarcity of things like private sector properties or affordable housing...

The committee asked questions about the high cost of temporary accommodation, and the availability of educational psychologists in the borough. As you may recall from a previous email, last year, the Council voted to use money from its reserves to restore funding to the Tower Hamlets Arts and Music Education Service (THAMES) for the 2024/25 financial year, following a call-in of the Mayor in Cabinet's decision of 10 July 2024 to approve the revised Homeless Accommodation Placement Policy. The Call-in was proposed by Councillors Mark Francis, Sirajul Islam, Asma Begum, Shahaveer Hussain and Mohammed Chowdhury. The Committee voted to refer the decision back to the Cabinet for reconsideration.

Business Rates Risks

The Committee received a presentation from Chris Leslie, Head of Strategic Finance and Chief Accountant, on business rate risks.

Mr Leslie explained that one of the key risks to the council’s income from business rates is from appeals against valuations made by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA).

He highlighted the example of the old Barclays Building in Cabot Square, which is expected to be removed from the business rates list for one year due to refurbishment. This will result in the Council losing £7 million in business rates income.

Mr Leslie presented a graph showing that rate reductions in 2023/24 were over three times higher than in previous years. This was attributed to appeals decided from December 2023 onwards. The Committee heard that the top five successful business rates appeals in 2023/24 totalled £22.4 million, including repayment of prior years’ rates. All of these appeals related to properties in Canary Wharf.

Mr Leslie explained that there is often a ‘domino effect’, where once one business has had an appeal upheld, others will follow.

...it's a bit like dominoes, once a principle has been established...

The committee questioned the criteria for successful appeals, and sought reassurance that the council has mitigating actions in place to deal with the risks from business rates appeals.

Transport Strategy

The committee also received a presentation on a refresh of the council’s transport strategy.

Councillor Shafi Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Environment and the Climate Emergency, explained that the Council’s current transport strategy, which was adopted in 2019, covers the period 2019 to 2041. However, he explained that a number of local, national, and political changes had taken place since the strategy was adopted, requiring a refresh.

The committee raised concerns about a number of issues, including:

• The lack of dedicated bays for Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points.
• Accessibility on pavements in the borough.
• The safety of cyclists in the borough.
• The lack of legislation around dockless bikes and scooters.

Councillor Ahmed explained that the Council was working with Transport for London (TfL) and neighbouring boroughs to mitigate against any potential negative impacts of the new Silvertown Tunnel on the borough.

Local Government Ombudsman Decision

The Committee also considered the Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) final decision and service action plan response.

The LGSCO investigated a complaint about the council’s handling of a resident’s Blue Badge renewal process and found that the Council was at fault.

Councillor Abdul Wahid, Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Equalities and Social Inclusion, introduced the report. He explained that the LGSCO made a number of recommendations to the Council about how it can improve its service.

That fault was that the complainant, Mr X, suffered avoidable distress and incurred time and trouble in having to repeat his request for a reasonable adjustment.

The Committee received a report on the Council's proposed action plan to remedy the situation, including the development of a new reasonable adjustments policy for service users, a review of the Council’s training for staff on reasonable adjustments, and the implementation of a new system for recording reasonable adjustments. The Committee agreed to receive an update on the Council’s progress in implementing the action plan at a future meeting.

Work Programme 2024/25

Finally, the Committee agreed its annual Work Programme for the year 2024-25. This includes a number of key priorities, including scrutinising the council’s budget, reviewing the council’s performance against its strategic goals, and carrying out scrutiny reviews on a range of issues.

The committee noted the council’s annual Scrutiny Report for 2023-24, which provides a summary of the work that the committee carried out last year.

Councillor Amy Lee raised a concern that the Work Programme only allocates one Mayor’s Spotlight meeting, suggesting that this was inadequate and requesting more opportunities to scrutinise the Mayor.

So there's only one opportunity to do that for the rest of the year, I just want to put on record that I think that's completely wild, this is an Overview and Scrutiny Committee, he's the Mayor, I think that's not okay, to be honest.

Councillor Lee also informed the committee that a report on Net Zero targets was due to be considered by Cabinet in November, asking that the committee be given an opportunity to carry out pre-Cabinet scrutiny on this issue.

Finally, the committee submitted a question to Cabinet about the communications plan for the new policy on time-banded waste collections, which was due to be considered by Cabinet the following day. They were concerned that the report did not make it clear if or when residents would be informed of the new policy.

Cabinet - Wednesday 11 September 2024

The Cabinet met this week and agreed to suspend the implementation of a proposed amendment to the Council’s Homelessness Placement Policy, which would have removed the 90 minute travel time limit on the relocation of homeless people from the borough. They also agreed to proceed with a number of capital investment schemes and ratified a number of other decisions.

Homelessness Placement Policy

As you may recall from a previous email, last month, the Overview and Scrutiny Committee voted to refer the Mayor in Cabinet’s decision to approve the revised Homeless Accommodation Placement Policy back to the Cabinet for reconsideration.

This week, the Mayor, Mr Lutfur Rahman, announced that he was suspending the implementation of the proposed change to the Homelessness Placement Policy to allow more time to properly review and assess its implication for residents. He explained that, since the proposed amendments were originally recommended to the Cabinet, there had been both a change of national government and the publication of new data about the numbers of homeless families living in hotels in Tower Hamlets.

Councillor Di Ciozzoli, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) for Urban Security, explained that the OSC acknowledged the financial pressures on the Council’s homelessness service but had recommended delaying implementation of the policy, “until funding details are clarified”.

Free Swimming Programme

The Cabinet received a report detailing the progress of the Council’s Free Swimming Programme. The Programme, which was launched by the Mayor at Poplar Baths on 15 July, will provide 37,600 free swimming sessions per year to women and girls over the age of 16 and men over the age of 55. The Programme is being run in partnership with Swim England and the Royal Life Saving Society and will cost £248,000 per year.

Councillor Hussain, Cabinet Member for Culture and Recreation, explained that since the programme was launched, 10,447 people had signed up and 9,526 sessions had been booked.

The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Maium Talukdar, asked the Cabinet Member to review the opening hours of the free swimming sessions for women at Tiller Leisure Centre on the Isle of Dogs.

B-Well Leisure Insourcing Capital Programme

The Cabinet received a report seeking approval for a £1.166 million capital investment programme to fund improvements at York Hall and Mile End Leisure Centre. The investment will fund the refurbishment of the York Hall spa and the resurfacing of the outdoor 3G pitches at Mile End Leisure Centre.

Councillor Hussain, Cabinet Member for Culture and Recreation, said that both projects would provide, “a significant income contribution to the 10-year revenue model”. He added that a further £3.665 million had already been approved this year to fund essential infrastructural improvements to the Council's leisure facilities, “like things like boilers and electrics, and all those things that are really vital to keep the facilities open”.

Waste Regulations and Time-Banded Collections

The Cabinet agreed to recommend to the full council that it approve the introduction of time-banded waste collections across 31 streets in Tower Hamlets, and the introduction of new Household and Commercial Waste Regulations. The new regulations will set out the requirement for residents and businesses to present their waste for collection within two, two-hour periods of the day, one in the morning and one in the evening, and will be enforced through the issuing of fixed penalty notices.

The Mayor, Mr Lutfur Rahman, said that the new rules would help to “reduce illegal dumping” and that he, “want[ed] a street scene that we can manage”.

The new arrangements are due to come into effect on 1 December 2024.

Whitechapel Market Stalls

The Cabinet agreed to authorise the procurement of a £3.8 million contract to fabricate and install new market stalls on the north side of Whitechapel Road. The contract will also fund the purchase of spare parts to enable the Council to carry out repairs and maintenance for at least 24 months after the stalls are installed. The scheme, which is part of the Whitechapel Road Improvement Programme, will be funded by a £9.3 million grant from the government’s Levelling Up Fund.

Serious Violence and Exploitation Strategy

The Cabinet agreed to approve the Council’s Serious Violence and Exploitation Strategy and recommended to the Community Safety Partnership that robust governance arrangements for its delivery be put in place. The Strategy, which is a legal requirement of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, sets out how the Council and its statutory partners will work together to reduce serious violence in the borough.

Councillor Abu Talha Choudhury, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, said that the legislation, “specifically requires collaboration between key authorities in local government to prevent and reduce serious violence in the area”.

Budget Monitoring Report

The Cabinet received a report detailing the Council’s financial performance for the first quarter of the 2024-25 financial year. As we learned from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the Council is forecasting a £13.3 million overspend for the year, driven by overspends on homelessness (£7.6 million), adult social care (£3.5 million), and SEND (£2.2 million).

Spitalfields & Banglatown Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)

The Cabinet agreed to adopt the Council’s Spitalfields & Banglatown Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). A Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) is a document that provides guidance on the implementation of policies in a Local Plan. SPDs can be used to provide more detailed guidance on a range of issues, including the design of new buildings, the protection of trees and open spaces, and the provision of community facilities.

The new SPD will provide guidance to developers on the type and scale of development that will be acceptable in the area, with the intention of encouraging new development that enhances the existing character of the area, and protecting and enhancing existing businesses and communities. It also aims to increase the supply of affordable housing in the area.

The Mayor, Mr Lutfur Rahman, explained that the SPD was “so important” because it would protect the characteristics of the area.

Council Housing Acquisitions Programme

The Cabinet agreed to approve the inclusion of two externally funded housing capital schemes in the Council’s capital programme. The schemes, which will enable the Council to purchase 237 homes, will be funded by £40 million of grant funding from the Greater London Authority’s Council Housing Acquisitions Programme and £8 million from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ Local Authority Housing Fund.

The Mayor, Mr Lutfur Rahman, said that the scheme was “so important” because there is a “serious lack of one-family sized homes in the borough”.

Nominations to Outside Bodies

The Cabinet agreed to nominate Councillor Kamrul Hussain to replace Councillor Iqbal Hossain on the board of Greenwich+Docklands Festivals, and to nominate Councillor Shafi Ahmed to replace Councillor Abdul Wahid on the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority.

Fire Safety Capital Works Programme at Latham House

The Cabinet agreed to approve a capital works programme to improve fire safety at Latham House. The works, which will include the installation of sprinklers and fire doors, are estimated to cost £1.2 million.

HRA Capital Investment Procurement Route

The Cabinet agreed to approve the procurement of a £140 million capital works programme to improve the quality and safety of the Council’s housing stock. The programme will deliver the Council’s Decent Homes 2.0 programme and will include works to improve fire safety, building safety and energy efficiency.

Domiciliary Care Service Contract Award

The Cabinet agreed to award a contract for the provision of domiciliary care services to eight providers. Councillor Gulam Kibria Choudhury, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Social Care, said that, “It is through home care that so many of our most vulnerable residents are able to remain with their families and in their communities and living full and independent lives for as long as possible”.

The Mayor, Mr Lutfur Rahman, said that “delivering excellent care to the most vulnerable in our residents is our primary objective”. He urged the officers to monitor the performance of the providers closely to ensure that there are no safeguarding issues, and that care workers are paid the London Living Wage.

Appointments Sub Committee - Tuesday 10 September 2024

This week, Tower Hamlets Council's Appointments Sub Committee met to consider applications for the post of Director, Adult Social Care. As with their previous meeting, which considered applications for the post of Corporate Director, Housing and Regeneration, the meeting was not open to the public as the items discussed were considered confidential.

This week in Tower Hamlets:

• The Overview & Scrutiny Committee referred the decision to remove the 90-minute journey time limit for homeless families back to the Cabinet for reconsideration.
• The Health & Adults Scrutiny Sub-Committee welcomed the council's new Corporate Director of Health and Adult Social Care, and discussed preparations for the Care Quality Commission inspection of Adult Social Care.
• The Development Committee permitted the construction of an additional storey at Compass Point and the redevelopment of Empson Street Industrial Estate.

Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Monday 02 September 2024

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered a call-in of the Mayor in Cabinet's decision of 10 July 2024 to approve the revised Homeless Accommodation Placement Policy. The Call-in was proposed by Councillors Mark Francis, Sirajul Islam, Asma Begum, Shahaveer Hussain and Mohammed Chowdhury. The Committee voted to refer the decision back to the Cabinet for reconsideration.

Councillor Mark Francis, who proposed the Call-in, argued that the new policy had been implemented prematurely and that the Council had not sufficiently explored all of the options available to it to increase the supply of temporary accommodation in the borough. In particular, Councillor Francis argued that the removal of the 90 minute journey time restriction on placements was unnecessary in advance of the government's Comprehensive Spending Review, which may provide new funding sources to local councils.

Why then is the Mayor and officers rolling out this awful policy in advance of that decision?

Councillor Francis also highlighted the detrimental effect on vulnerable families of being placed far from the support networks of their family and friends and criticised the lack of consultation with homeless families about the new policy, urging the Mayor to commission a survey of homeless households to properly understand the impact of placements away from the borough.

Councillor Kabir Ahmed, the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Inclusive Development and Housing Building, argued that the changes to the policy were necessary in the face of the unprecedented housing crisis.

This is the same struggle that was faced by administration after administration, not only in this local authority, but currently in every single local authority in the country.

Councillor Ahmed acknowledged that the cost of temporary accommodation is a significant burden on the Council's finances, explaining that Tower Hamlets currently faces a 'housing benefit subsidy loss'¹ of £12.7 million each year.

Local authorities like Newham are facing potential section 114 territory, which is essentially going into administration and bankruptcy as a result of the bill associated with temporary accommodation.

He argued that by expanding the areas in which the Council can procure temporary accommodation, the Council would be able to secure homes for residents at a cheaper rate. Councillor Ahmed also stated that no Tower Hamlets MP had been working with the Council to lobby the Government for additional funding for temporary accommodation, and invited the borough's three MPs to meet with him to discuss housing issues in the borough.

...I'd like to take this opportunity to invite all three MPs to specifically come and discuss housing issues and how central government can support this council in these challenging situations, particularly around finance, particularly around issues of good financial management, because on the one hand we do operate with the heart, and on the other hand we have a balanced budget that we must deliver.

Councillor Ahmed also stated that the Council would always endeavour to place households within Tower Hamlets, and that the revised placement policy simply made it clear where the Council would look for accommodation if this was not possible.

Our first priority will always be to locate people in Tower Hamlets.

Karen Swift, the Council's Director of Housing, added that the new placement policy uses zones to define the areas in which temporary accommodation can be procured. The new policy divides England into four zones, starting with Tower Hamlets (Zone A), then London (Zone B), then outside of London (Zone C) and finally the rest of England (Zone D). The policy states that only families with children in their final year of GCSEs or A levels will be placed in temporary accommodation in the borough. Families with children in other year groups will be placed anywhere in London, and those whose children are not yet at school could be placed anywhere in England. Ms Swift said that the Council is following best practice from other London boroughs in setting out these zones, citing Newham, Waltham Forest, Camden and Southwark councils as examples.

So the first zone is Tower Hamlets, and then it's London, then it's out of London, then it's further afield. A lot of other boroughs just say in or out of London. So we're taking the best practice from all of the other placement policies and putting it there so residents can see that we're transparent about where it is that we're going to look for accommodation.

Ms Swift also stated that the Council has a good track record of procuring temporary accommodation in areas that are suitable for the needs of residents, and cited Slough, Lewisham, Ilford and Romford as examples.

And Abel's, the rest of Abel's work is around Ilford and Romford. So we, we don't think that this policy is going to move us any, any further away than what we're already procuring. It's just making it much clearer and transparent because people tend to focus on the zones in the placement policy, but there's all sorts of other really good improvements.

The Committee debated the merits of the revised policy for over an hour. Several members of the Committee expressed concerns about the impact of the removal of the 90 minute limit, in particular they were concerned about the impact of being placed far away from support networks on vulnerable families, and families with children in exam years. Councillors also questioned whether the revised policy would actually save the Council money.

Following the debate, the Committee voted 6 to 2 to refer the decision back to the Cabinet for reconsideration, with a request for a written response to the Committee's concerns.

It is not known what action the Cabinet will take in response to the Committee's request. As you will recall from a previous email, the Overview and Scrutiny Committee voted to refer the Mayor in Cabinet's decision to reduce funding to the Tower Hamlets Arts and Music Education Service (THAMES) back to the Cabinet in February 2024. The Cabinet subsequently voted to overturn the Committee's decision and to proceed with the original funding cuts. However, in May 2024, the Council voted to use money from its reserves to restore funding to THAMES for the 2024/25 financial year.

Health & Adults Scrutiny Sub-Committee - Tuesday 03 September 2024

This week, the Health & Adults Scrutiny Sub-Committee received three presentations. The first of these was on preparations for the forthcoming Care Quality Commission (CQC)² inspection of adult social care services. The Committee then heard a presentation on the Council's Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy and the services provided by the All East sexual health clinic. Finally, the committee received a presentation on the borough's smoking cessation services.

Adult Social Care, Care Quality Commission (CQC) Inspection Preparation

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is responsible for regulating and inspecting health and social care services in England. They will be inspecting all local authority adult social care services by December 2025.

The Sub-Committee heard from Emily Fieran-Reed, Adult Social Care Improvement, Transformation & Assurance Lead at the Council, who explained that the forthcoming inspection would use a new regime.

Ms Fieran-Reed explained that the new inspection regime would use a new assessment framework, consisting of four themes:

• Working with people
• Providing support
• Ensuring safety across the system
• Leadership

She also explained that the inspection process would consist of four parts:

• Review of published data and the Council’s self-assessment
• Inspection of 50 recent cases
• Meetings with senior management
• Site visit, involving interviews with stakeholders and inspection of facilities

She assured the Committee that the Council had made detailed preparations for the inspection.

The Sub-Committee also received an update on the findings of the London Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) peer review of adult social care in Tower Hamlets.

Overall, the Peer Review went very well – many strengths were fed back to us with the passion and commitment of our workforce a stand-out feature.

Councillors raised a number of questions about the peer review findings, including:

• How the Council would address concerns about mixed views of service users and carers.
• How it would be ensured that discharged patients are safe in the community.
• What measures were in place to prevent service users with low support needs from becoming dependent on social care.
• How the Council gathers feedback from service users and how it uses the data to improve services.
• What steps the Council was taking to support care providers that had received poor CQC ratings.

Sexual and Reproductive Health Services

The Sub-Committee received a presentation on the Council's Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy and an overview of the All East sexual health service.

Councillor Kibriya Choudhury, the Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Social Care, explained that the Council is committed to providing a range of sexual and reproductive health services.

This administration prides ourselves on our commitment to caring for adult residents who need support. We provide high quality care which meets our duties under the Care Act.

Liam Crosby, Associate Director of Public Health, said that Tower Hamlets has a young and sexually active population, and that this leads to high levels of sexual and reproductive health need. He said that, while the borough has seen a recent increase in sexually transmitted infections, the rate of HIV diagnosis has fallen since 2015. Mr Crosby also spoke about the Council's approach to providing services in a variety of settings, including GP surgeries, pharmacies and specialist centres, saying:

We really have a range of services that get these needs close to where people are, close to people's lives.

He explained that the council had made a huge amount of transformation to its sexual and reproductive health services, leading to a reduction in spending of around £2 million a year, saying:

I think that's one of the kind of big sort of transformational successes we can talk about in local government where it's one of the big successes

Dr Andy Williams, a Consultant in Sexual Health and HIV at Barts Health NHS Trust, gave an overview of the All East sexual health service, explaining that the service is based at the Ambrose King Centre in Whitechapel. He also spoke about the challenges that sexual health services face, including:

• Antibiotic resistant gonorrhoea
• Increasing rates of syphilis
• Rising rates of teenage pregnancies

Lynn Toji, project manager for the Door to Hope project, spoke about the work the charity does to support women selling sex in Tower Hamlets. She highlighted the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sex work, saying:

The number of women who are coming back onto the streets has increased

Ms Toji also highlighted the importance of accessible information about sexual health services for both men and women, saying:

Some people may not even know what a sexually transmitted disease is.

Councillors asked a number of questions about the services provided, including:

• How the Council advertises its sexual health services and how much treatments cost.
• What steps the Council is taking to reach out to communities that are less likely to access sexual health services.
• What plans the Council has to address the increase in sexually transmitted infections.

Smoking Cessation Services at Tower Hamlets

Councillor Choudhury said that rates of smoking have reduced in Tower Hamlets, calling the report good news. Mr Crosby explained that the rate of smoking in Tower Hamlets has fallen sharply over the last decade, from 20% to 12%, but that we still have a long way to go. He confirmed that the Council was working towards being smoke-free by 2030. Mr Crosby then outlined some of the Council's approaches to reducing smoking rates, including working with Trading Standards to limit sales and providing a range of cessation services to residents. He highlighted the success of the services, explaining that we supported 1500 people to quit smoking ... last year.

Shamsia Begum-Foreman, Specialist Stop Smoking Service Manager for Quit Right Tower Hamlets (QRTH), spoke about the range of services provided by QRTH, explaining that the service was based on a prime supplier model and that it provides an eight-week programme of behavioural support and medication. Ms Begum-Foreman also highlighted the importance of providing a culturally-sensitive service, saying:

Our service is culturally sensitive.

Saeeda Begum, Community Tobacco Dependency Lead for the East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT), gave a presentation on ELFT's smoking cessation services, highlighting that they provide specialist support to people with severe mental illness (SMI), who are three times more likely to smoke than the general population. Ms Begum explained that ELFT operates two community clinics in Tower Hamlets, one on Old Montague Street in Whitechapel and one at Stainers Road, and also runs a virtual clinic for those who are unable to attend in person. She explained that ELFT's service offers 12-week behavioural support combined with the nicotine replacement therapies and/or vapes.

Councillors asked a number of questions about smoking cessation services, including:

• What steps the Council is taking to address the increase in the use of vapes.
• How QRTH reaches out to minority ethnic groups and whether it could use the Idea Store in Poplar to deliver some of its services.

Development Committee - Thursday 05 September 2024

The Development Committee considered two planning applications, voting to grant both.

Compass Point (PA/22/02363)

The Committee considered an application by GLO Properties for the construction of an additional storey at Compass Point, to create six new flats.

Three residents addressed the meeting to object to the application.

Ms Hanfri, a registered architect, criticised the lack of engagement with residents by the developer, raised concerns about the information provided in the submitted drawings, and asked the Committee to ensure that the development would not present a fire risk to residents. Ms Yao, an existing resident of Compass Point, asked the Committee to refuse the application, arguing that it would increase noise and dust pollution, exacerbate residents' health issues, put a strain on inadequate waste facilities and have a detrimental impact on the wellbeing of the community. She also questioned whether the development was needed, given the vacancy rate at a nearby development of affordable homes.

This indefinite timeline fails to comply with Tower Hamlet's plan policy DDHA, which mandates the minimising disruption.

Ms Yao also raised concerns about the affordability of the scheme, pointing out that it would provide no new affordable homes.

The £120,000 contribution [to] affordable housing is minimal. This is less than the price of a single flat according to current market prices.

A third resident said that the existing waste facilities were inadequate, and that the development would exacerbate existing problems.

Mr Brandicchu, the applicant's agent, argued that the design was in keeping with the surrounding area and that the construction would be well-managed. Ms Ariana, the applicant's representative, said that the car park was managed by allocating spaces to each flat in the development's leases.

Councillors raised a number of concerns about the scheme, including:

• Lack of engagement with residents.
• The car-free nature of the development and whether parking would be enforced.
• The affordability of the scheme.
• The impact on existing waste facilities.

The Committee's concerns about the low level of affordable housing contribution from the scheme echo concerns raised by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in their recent meeting about the revised Homeless Accommodation Placement Policy. You will recall from a previous email that the Council's finances are under significant pressure from the cost of temporary accommodation and that this is one of the factors in the Council's decision to lift the 90 minute limit on placements.

The Committee voted to grant the application, subject to a number of conditions and planning obligations, including an affordable housing contribution of £120,000.

Epson Street (PA/24/00568/A1)

The Committee considered an application by Fabrics for the demolition and redevelopment of Empson Street Industrial Estate in Bromley-by-Bow.

The applicant sought permission to demolish the existing industrial buildings and to construct two new industrial buildings. The application also sought permission to refurbish an existing MOT building³ to provide affordable workspace and a ‘circular economy hub’. The circular economy hub will provide space for businesses that are focused on repairing, re-using, recycling and re-producing waste from the local area. The applicant also proposed to make a number of contributions to improve the local area, including paying for improvements to the nearby underpass beneath the A12 and for maintenance and upgrades to the Limehouse Cut towpath.

Councillors praised the scheme for its innovative circular economy hub, the high level of affordable workspace and its significant biodiversity net gain⁴, which is predicted to be over 5000%.

The application before you is on a strategic industrial location… and I think it’s very much for this type of use. We’ve looked at the application quite carefully… I’m happy in terms of the impacts from traffic movements… That’s a good level of improvement benefits.

The Committee voted to grant planning permission subject to conditions and planning obligations.

This week in Tower Hamlets:

• The Transformation Advisory Board met but the discussoin was not made public.
• The Strategic Development Committee defered decisions on the redevelopment of 4 & 5 Harbour Exchange Square and a number of sites to the south of Whitechapel Road.

Transformation Advisory Board - Tuesday 27 August 2024

This meeting was scheduled to take place on Tuesday 27 August 2024. No transcript or minutes were available at the time of writing, so no information about what was actually discussed during the meeting is available.

Strategic Development Committee - Wednesday 28 August 2024

The Strategic Development Committee considered two applications for planning permission, voting to defer both.

Redevelopment of 4 & 5 Harbour Exchange Square (PA/22/00731)

This application was previously considered by the Strategic Development Committee at their meeting on 16 July 2024, which you will recall from a previous email. At that meeting, the Committee voted to defer a decision on the application in order to allow time for a site visit to take place. The application proposes the demolition of two office buildings (4 & 5 Harbour Exchange Square) and the construction of a mixed-use residential building containing 450 residential units, of which 120 would be classed as 'affordable' under the terms of the National Planning Policy Framework¹.

The Committee voted to defer the application for a second time after raising concerns that the scheme did not include enough family-sized affordable homes to offset the disruption to residents that the construction of the development would cause. The Committee resolved to ask the developer to reconfigure the development to provide more 3 and 4 bedroom affordable homes.

The Committee discussed at length the impact that the construction of the development would have on traffic on Marsh Wall. The applicant said that they would put in place a construction management plan to manage traffic flows but several members of the committee said that they felt that the negative impact on traffic would be too great.

Former West Ferry Printworks (PA/23/02375)

The Strategic Development Committee also voted to defer a decision on an application for the comprehensive and phased mixed-use redevelopment of the former West Ferry Printworks site.

The applicant, West Ferry Developments Limited, applied for planning permission for the demolition of all existing buildings on the site and the construction of 1,358 new homes in 13 blocks ranging in height from 4 to 31 storeys. The scheme also includes the provision of a new secondary school, business and service uses, community uses, a police base, car and cycle basement parking, landscaping, a new public realm, and enabling works.

The application attracted a number of objections from local residents and resident groups including the Isle of Dogs Neighbourhood Planning Forum.

We developed the Isle of Dogs Neighbourhood Plan to stop development outstripping infrastructure. Statutory planning policy, it says, large proposed residential developments are only to be permitted after all the infrastructure needed to support them and all the other developments nearby have been fully considered and allowed for. If the infrastructure is not there, the proposal should be phased for when the infrastructure can be delivered or the scheme rejected. Officers have only assessed infrastructure for the site's own needs and not assessed the cumulative impact of all the development on the wider area.

• Councillor Ruth Burberry, Isle of Dogs Ward.

Residents explained to the Committee that the development would have a significant impact on daylight and sunlight for a number of properties close to the development.

The development would cause Mount Terrace to lose a significant amount of daylight, and asked that the plans for the scheme be changed to mitigate this impact. Another resident, who lives at Gwyn House, said that the development would cause an unacceptable reduction in the amount of sunlight that enters Gwyn House and that this would have a detrimental impact on the health and wellbeing of the people who live there.

The Committee discussed the impact the development would have on local infrastructure, noting that Thames Water had stated that the existing water main may not be sufficient to meet the needs of the development.

Concerns were also raised about the delay to the delivery of the new secondary school which is part of the scheme, pointing out that planning permission for a new school on the site had already been granted in 2016 but that this school had not yet been built.

The developer this year told parents that they won't sign the lease now unless you grant planning permission tonight. So a commitment they made in 2016 to a new school by 2022, they're now saying they won't deliver unless you give planning permission for their third application.

• Andrew Wood, Isle of Dogs resident.

Responding to these concerns, the applicant said that an agreement for lease was already in place with the Department for Education and that it was ready to be signed.

The developer said that they were committed to building the school and that they had an agreement for lease in place with the Department for Education which was ready to be signed. They said that the only thing holding up the delivery of the school was the granting of planning permission.

Following this discussion, the Committee voted to defer the application to allow time for a site visit to take place.

The committee also discussed the Section 106² agreement associated with the development, which is likely to be in the region of £35 million. Of this £18 million is expected to be spent on the provision of public open space and £1.5 million on a community centre. The applicant is seeking to deliver these payments in-kind, by building and maintaining these facilities themselves. In-kind payments are relatively common for developments of this scale, but it is important for the council to ensure that these assets will be delivered to a high standard and maintained in the long term.

This week in Tower Hamlets:

• The Licensing Sub Committee considered a variation of the premises license for Perfetto Pizza, but no decision was made due to absent legal counsel.
• The Development Committee meeting was cancelled.

Licensing Sub Committee - Tuesday 06 August 2024

The Licensing Sub-Committee was scheduled to consider an application for the variation of a premises license for Perfetto Pizza, located at 391 Cambridge Heath Road. The application sought to vary the existing license to permit the sale of alcohol for consumption on and off the premises. However, the meeting was adjourned until 19 September 2024 due to the unavailability of legal counsel. This is not unusual, as the Licensing Sub-Committee is a legal committee and is required to have legal representation present at all of its meetings. The applicant expressed concern about the delay, as delays can be costly for businesses. In this case, the business will have to wait almost two months for a decision on its application.

The Sub-Committee also approved the deferral of eight other Premises Licence applications:

• Go Puff 89 Hemington Street, London E1 5BL
• The Widow's Sun, 75 Devens Road, London E3 3PJ
• Solid Floor, 7A Ezra Street, London E2
• Noisy Oyster, 2 Nichols Clark Yard, London E1
• Montgomery Square Canary Wharf, London E14 5JJ
• Sainsbury's, 120 Bow Common Lane, London E1
• The Quiz Room, 19-25 Bell Lane, London E1
• Cafe Island Gardens, London E14 3EA

The deferral extends the deadline by which the Council must make a decision on the applications to 30 October 2024. These deferrals are likely to have been requested by the applicants themselves, perhaps in order to allow more time to address concerns that have been raised by residents or other interested parties.

Licensing applications are often controversial, particularly in areas like Tower Hamlets which has a high density of licensed premises. Residents often raise concerns about the potential for noise, anti-social behaviour, and crime and disorder. You can find out more about the licensing process on the council's website, by searching for 'Licensing Act 2003' ¹.

The Appointments Sub Committee was scheduled to discuss the longlisting for the role of Director of Adult Social Care at Tower Hamlets Council.

Appointments Sub Committee - Tuesday 30 July 2024

This week, Tower Hamlets Council's Appointments Sub Committee was scheduled to meet to discuss applications for the post of Director, Adult Social Care. The meeting was not open to the public as the items discussed were considered confidential. This is not unusual. As you will recall from a previous email, this committee met on Tuesday 23 July 2024 to consider applications for the post of Corporate Director, Housing and Regeneration, and that meeting was also not open to the public. These committees are often required to consider commercially sensitive information, or information that could identify individuals, and for these reasons they are often held in private.

As always, The Open Council Network will continue to monitor the council's publications and will provide you with information about the outcome of this process as soon as it is made public.

The Overview & Scrutiny Committee reviewed recycling performance, agreed the Strategic Asset Management Plan 2024-29, and considered the new Target Operating Model. The Licensing Sub Committee considered three applications for premises licenses, granting two and adjourning one. The Appointments Sub Committee was scheduled to consider a report on applications for the post of Corporate Director, Housing and Regeneration. The Cabinet agreed to consult on the introduction of a Public Space Protection Order for dog control, and voted to proceed with Option A for the new Local Plan.

Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday 23 July 2024

The Overview & Scrutiny Committee received updates on the council's performance and reviewed a number of significant strategy and policy documents. This is one of the council's most important committees as it provides non-executive councillors with the opportunity to hold the Mayor and Cabinet to account for the decisions they make. It also has the power to ‘call in’ decisions made by the Mayor or Cabinet if it believes that they have not been made properly, allowing for a full debate and a vote at a meeting of the full council. Scrutiny is also a vital part of the council's commitment to good governance and transparency, giving the public and the media an opportunity to see how decisions are made and to understand the rationale behind them.

Recycling Rates

The committee discussed the borough's recycling performance, which is currently the worst in London at just 16%. The committee heard a presentation from officers on the council's plan to increase this to 23% by March 2025, which has three strands: service improvements, infrastructure improvements, and communication and behaviour change. The committee welcomed the plan but raised concerns that operational issues, such as missed bin collections, were contributing to low recycling rates.

If we really want to deep dig and you want answers and you want solutions and you want to support the offices and vice versa, then we've got to start making sure in these meetings we're actually doing the right thing and making sure the right people are here to answer the questions that we need.

• Councillor Asma Islam

The committee also noted that the council will be reintroducing the distribution of recycling sacks to households in August.

Strategic Asset Management Plan 2024-29

The committee also reviewed the Strategic Asset Management Plan, which sets out how the Council will manage its property portfolio of over 1,100 non-residential properties over the next five years.

As a borough we're well off for corporate assets and it's important that we have a strategy to direct how we're going to use, develop and promote that portfolio.

• David Hughes, Divisional Director of Property and Asset Management

The committee heard that the Council is an asset rich authority, and that the new plan will provide a framework for a rolling programme to review non-residential assets. This will allow the Council to optimise revenue for income generating assets, release assets for other priorities such as new housing developments, and better utilise buildings currently occupied by community organisations.

The Committee raised a number of questions about the plan, including how the Council will assess the value of assets currently being used by community organisations, and how it will communicate with organisations about the future of their leases.

Target Operating Model

The committee considered the draft Target Operating Model, which is a blueprint for how the Council will operate and deliver its strategic priorities in the future.

So this update… relates to our target operating model, which I suppose in itself thinking about the language target operating model is not particularly accessible for our communities, residents, et cetera.

• Ayesha Hakim, Acting Head of Corporate Strategy and Transformation

The committee heard that the new model represents a significant shift from the council's previous model, which was heavily focused on internal processes and structures. The new model prioritises community needs and engagement, and will empower council directorates to innovate and work more collaboratively with partners. It is also intended to deliver a more transparent and accountable council that is better able to communicate its successes to the public.

The committee welcomed the new model but raised some questions about the engagement process, particularly around the involvement of organisations representing disabled people. The final Target Operating Model will be presented to Cabinet in October 2024.

Licensing Sub Committee - Tuesday 23 July 2024

The Licensing Sub-Committee of Tower Hamlets Council met on Tuesday 23 July 2024 and considered three applications for premises licenses. Licensing Sub-Committees are responsible for making decisions about the grant and variation of premises licenses. All applications for premises licenses must be made to the Licensing Authority, which is a committee of the council. The Licensing Authority is responsible for ensuring that all licensed premises operate in accordance with the four licensing objectives:

• The prevention of crime and disorder
• Public safety
• The prevention of public nuisance
• The protection of children from harm

Boulebar at 7 Frying Pan Alley

The committee granted a new premises license to Boulebar for their premises at 7 Frying Pan Alley, London, E1 7HS.

The application was for a new premises license to operate a restaurant and bar with a focus on the game of pétanque. The bar would operate within the Brick Lane Cumulative Impact Zone. A Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ) is an area in which the concentration of businesses selling alcohol is so great that it is likely to lead to an increase in crime and disorder. In these areas, there is a presumption against granting new premises licenses unless the applicant can demonstrate that their application is exceptional.

The Licensing Authority and Environmental Protection initially objected to the application, but both withdrew their objections after the applicant agreed to a number of conditions, including:

• The sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises would be restricted to 9 p.m.
• The licence would be tied to the individual company, minimizing the risk of a change of use.
• The number of people permitted in the external area after 9 p.m. to a maximum of fifteen at any one time.

The Licensing Sub-Committee granted the application for a new premises license, as amended by these conditions.

House of Music & Entertainment Limited at 20 Commercial Street

The committee also granted a new premises license to House of Music & Entertainment Limited for their premises at 20 Commercial Street, London, E1 6LP.

The applicant applied for a new premises license to sell alcohol at their premises, which operate as a co-working space during the day and an event space during the evening. This application also fell within the Brick Lane Cumulative Impact Zone and attracted objections from the Licensing Authority and Environmental Protection.

I'm asking this question because the title you put there, the license of House of Music and Entertainment, that seems that what you have to describe is something different.

• Councillor Ahmodur Khan.

After the applicant agreed to all of the conditions requested by Environmental Protection, the Licensing Sub-Committee granted the application for a new premises license.

GoPuff at 8 Hemming Street

The committee adjourned an application for the variation of a premises license for GoPuff at 8 Hemming Street, London, E1W 2BH to a future meeting.

GoPuff applied to vary their existing premises license to permit the sale of alcohol for delivery 24 hours a day. The application attracted 33 objections from local residents who raised a number of concerns about the application, including noise from delivery vehicles and anti-social behaviour. They also presented evidence that GoPuff was in breach of several conditions attached to its existing license. The applicant disputed the allegations and requested an adjournment to allow them time to investigate. The Licensing Sub-Committee adjourned its determination of the application to a future meeting to allow the applicant time to respond to the concerns raised.

Cabinet - Wednesday 24 July 2024

The Cabinet of Tower Hamlets Council made a number of decisions at their meeting, agreeing to consult on the introduction of a Public Space Protection Order for dog control, voting to proceed with Option A for the new Local Plan, ratifying a number of other decisions, and noting the contents of several reports.

The Cabinet is the executive decision-making body of Tower Hamlets Council. They are responsible for making most of the council’s decisions, and for implementing the council’s policies. The Cabinet consists of the Mayor and a number of other councillors who are appointed by the Mayor. The Cabinet meets in public and its meetings are webcast on the council’s website.

Dog Control Orders

The Cabinet agreed to begin a public consultation on plans to introduce a Public Space Protection Order covering dog control. The order would cover dog fouling, introduce areas where dogs are excluded, such as gated children's play areas, and require dogs to be kept on leads in specified locations. It would also limit the number of dogs that can be walked by one person at a time, and consider introducing a licensing scheme for professional dog walkers.

We know that the vast majority of dogs are peaceful and dog owners low abiding and respectful of feelings of others around them.

• Councillor Shafi Ahmad, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Emergency

Councillor Shafi Ahmad, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Emergency, explained that the proposed consultation would be comprehensive, engaging all communities in the borough, and that the Council would work to ensure that it was clear that the consultation was not intended to demonise dogs or penalise responsible dog owners.

Local Plan 2038

The Cabinet approved Option A of the Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2038, which will now proceed to the Regulation 19 stage of the process, meaning that it will be published for consultation.

A Local Plan is a document that sets out a local planning authority’s policies for the development and use of land in its area. It covers a wide range of issues, including housing, businesses, community facilities, transport and the environment. The Local Plan is prepared in consultation with local people and businesses. It is then submitted to the Secretary of State for examination. If the Secretary of State approves the Local Plan, it becomes part of the development plan for the area. The development plan is used by the local planning authority to make decisions about planning applications.

This stage of the Local Plan process is known as Regulation 19 because it is set out in Regulation 19 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012. Regulation 19 requires the local planning authority to publish the proposed submission version of the Local Plan and to invite representations on it. The local planning authority must then consider any representations that it receives and to make any necessary changes to the Local Plan before it submits it to the Secretary of State for examination.

Overcrowding and the associated health, social, economic inequalities and education inequalities that are born out of such conditions remains one of the biggest challenges that our borough faces.

• Mayor Lutfur Rahman

The Mayor spoke passionately about the new Local Plan, and particularly the need to address the issue of overcrowding, highlighting the three main elements of the new strategy: an increase in the proportion of generally affordable housing; a commitment to ensuring that at least 85% of affordable housing is let at social rent; and the incorporation of community facilities into new developments.

Option A of the plan includes the removal of height restrictions at ten key sites in the borough in order to encourage the development of taller buildings that can accommodate more homes.

As a borough, our planners should be, and you are, we should be, and as a council, we should be much more challenging, much more robust, creative in designs, in height, and be enabling to [invert] investment in the borough.

• Councillor Kabir Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Planning.

Appointments Sub Committee - Tuesday 23 July 2024

This meeting of Tower Hamlets' Appointments Sub Committee was scheduled to consider applications for the post of Corporate Director, Housing and Regeneration. Because the meeting was not open to the public, no information about what was actually discussed during the meeting is available.

Since Saturday 13 July 2024, the council has held 4 meetings: the Strategic Development Committee on 16 July, the Council on 17 July, the Licensing Sub Committee on 18 July, and the Mayor's Executive Decision Making on 19 July. The Mayor's Executive Decision Making session did not produce a video. The Strategic Development Committee approved plans to redevelop the former London Chest Hospital, but voted to defer a decision on an application to redevelop 4 & 5 Harbour Exchange Square, requesting a site visit before making a decision. The Council unanimously agreed to a series of reports relating to market designations and charges, planning powers, the Corporate Parenting Board, and committee places. The Licensing Sub Committee granted a new license to a bar on Quaker Street, and considered an application from a business in Hackney Wick, for which a decision is pending.

Strategic Development Committee - Tuesday 16 July 2024

The Strategic Development Committee made two significant decisions at its meeting. Firstly, it approved the redevelopment of the former London Chest Hospital site[^1]. This decision was made despite some objections from local residents concerning the height of one of the buildings and the loss of trees. The Committee also voted to defer the application to redevelop 4 & 5 Harbour Exchange Square, requesting a site visit to further understand the scale of the project before making a decision.

Redevelopment of the former London Chest Hospital (PA/24/00184)

The Committee considered two linked applications: one for planning permission and one for Listed Building Consent. Both applications were approved subject to a number of conditions and planning obligations.

The planning application sought permission to demolish all of the buildings on site, except for the Grade II Listed main hospital building, South Wing and sanitation tower. The site would then be redeveloped to provide 274 new homes (Use Class C3)[^2] and a flexible commercial and community floor space (Use Class E(b) / F2(b))[^3] with landscaping and other associated works.

The Listed Building Consent application sought permission to undertake various works to the retained listed buildings including a new extension, internal alterations, and works to boundary features.

There were a number of objections to the scheme. The most significant of these objections related to the height of Building E, which will be the tallest element of the proposed scheme at 9 storeys in height. Objections were also raised in relation to the proposed loss of trees on site, impacts on neighbouring amenity (including daylight/sunlight impacts), parking and highways impacts, and concerns that the scheme provided too few genuinely “affordable” homes.

The applicant, Latimer by Clarion Housing Group, addressed the Committee and outlined the significant public benefits that the scheme would introduce:

Firstly, our proposals will create 270 for high quality homes helping to meet the growing demand for housing across the borough. 50% of these homes, by help to room 121 total, will be affordable with the significant proportion at social rent levels, the lowest cost of housing available.

The applicant confirmed that 50% of the homes would be affordable, calculated by habitable room, and that these homes would be offered at Social Rent levels. Social Rent is cheaper than the London Affordable Rent that the Council’s policies require, but are capped at nationally-set levels. The applicant also confirmed that 39 of those Social Rent homes would be family-sized homes of 3 or 4 bedrooms.

In response to a question about the level of rent that would be applied, Mr Paul Buckenham, Head of Development Management, Planning and Building Control, stated:

The social rent levels won't actually be 80% of market value. They will be social rent, which are set by central government agencies… The actual rent levels are worked out based on kind of local rent levels and local earnings, I believe. So, yeah, it is the cheapest possible level of social housing that can be provided, and all of the social affordable rent units will be this social rent level, which is nothing to do with kind of 80% of market rent or anything like that.

Clarifying this point, Mr Prudence, of the Latimer by Clarion Housing Group, stated:

So, that applies nationally, but what we're saying is that this product isn't just meeting the definition of affordable, it's going way beyond that. It's social rent, which is the most affordable product that we can deliver, essentially.

The applicant also confirmed that all of the social rented homes would be of the same high standard of design and use the same high-quality materials as the private sale homes, and that in fact:

the social homes are kind of weird, which say the best on the site.

The applicant also confirmed that the Grade II Listed hospital building, south wing and sanitation tower would be retained and sensitively refurbished and that a new community café facility would be located within the South Wing to be run as a community-led facility open to all, which would also be available for free to local community groups in the evening.

The applicant also made it clear that the Veteran Mulberry Tree would be retained in its current location and that it would benefit from a dedicated landscaped space, would be protected throughout construction and be made accessible to the public.

In response to a question about how the proposals seek to address potential construction and highways impacts, Mr Buckenham stated:

Obviously, in theory, any challenge, any decision could be subject to a challenge… In terms of the likelihood of a challenge, well, any decision the Council makes in theory could be challenged. Obviously, our role as officers is to give you advice that we believe would result in whatever decision you make being a robust decision and hopefully challenge-proof.

The applicant then confirmed that demolition was likely to commence early next year.

In terms of the loss of trees, the applicant confirmed that whilst 20 trees would be removed from the site, 51 new trees would be planted, and that larger species would be planted on the edge of the site to provide the same visual screening to the site.

Officers confirmed that the applicant’s daylight, sunlight and overshadowing report had been reviewed by an independent consultant and found to be acceptable.

The committee also questioned the applicant on the adequacy of ventilation to the flats and how the internal design and layout of the affordable homes would be delivered.

Officers confirmed to the Committee that the proposals complied with the development plan. The Committee ultimately accepted the Officers’ recommendations that the application be approved.

Redevelopment of 4 & 5 Harbour Exchange Square (PA/22/00731)

The Committee considered an application for planning permission to demolish the existing office buildings (4 & 5 Harbour Exchange Square) and to redevelop the site to provide a mixed-use building containing 450 residential units with flexible retail, community and creative uses at the podium levels as well as basement blue-badge parking, public realm, landscaping and other associated works. The proposal also included provision of additional public realm and play space underneath the adjacent Docklands Light Railway.

The applicant was not present at the meeting.

The most significant objection to the proposal was the scale of the proposed development with concern that, whilst the existing buildings were of a low scale and had minimal impact upon the street-scene, the proposed 52 storey tower would be out of keeping with its surroundings and create a significant increase in construction and highways traffic.

I think it is going to be useful for the committee to go and have a site visit and understand the scale of the project because I think this is actually quite big and for what we see on paper then what it actually is going to be for that particular site within marsh wall along that stretch of road.

Officers confirmed that the development could be controlled to some extent by the inclusion of a Construction Management Plan in the decision notice and that the Council now had a ‘more hands-on approach’ to development which would seek to limit some of those construction and highways impacts, but the Committee voted to defer the application and request a site visit in order to better understand the scale of the development in the context of surrounding buildings.

The committee also raised queries about the density of the development, the carbon offsetting payments and the waste management plan.

Strategic Development Committee Terms of Reference, Quorum, Membership and Dates of Meetings 2024/25

The Committee considered the Strategic Development Committee Terms of Reference, Quorum, Membership and Dates of Meetings 2024/25 report and resolved to adopt the proposed amendments to the terms of reference [^4] which were minor in nature and to note the schedule of meeting dates for the year. The Committee also confirmed that Councillor Iqbal Hossain would be the Vice Chair for the year.

Appointment of a vice chair for the committee

The committee appointed Councillor Iqbal Hossain as vice-chair.

Minutes of the previous meeting

The minutes of the previous Strategic Development Committee meeting, held on 14th May 2024 were approved.

Recommendations and procedure for hearing objections and meeting guidance

The Committee noted the procedure for hearing objections at meetings of the Strategic Development Committee. They also agreed that any changes made to recommendations would be formalized by the Corporate Director Housing and Regeneration.

Site at the former Bishopsgate Goods Yard, Braithwaite Street E1

The Committee noted the observations of the GLA regarding the Reserved Matters Application (RMA) for Plot 1 of the Bishopsgate Goodsyard development[^5].

They resolved that the report be referred to either the Strategic Development Committee or the Development Committee to formalise the borough’s response to the GLA.

Council - Wednesday 17 July 2024

The Council unanimously agreed to the recommendations made in five reports, on market designations, market fees and charges, a planning powers delegation scheme, the Corporate Parenting Board annual report and a report on proportionality and the allocation of places on the council's committees.

The Council also debated a petition to the council asking them to take steps to secure the long-term future of the Boundary Estate Community Launderette. The Council also debated two motions, one proposed by the Aspire administration, and one proposed by the Labour opposition.

The Boundary Estate Community Launderette petition

The petition was presented to the meeting by three petitioners, Jonathan Moberly, Lorraine Hart and Abdul. It asked the council to:

• Grant the Launderette a temporary tenancy at will, so they can continue to operate while a long-term solution is worked out.
• Add the Launderette to the council's community premises portfolio.
• Agree that the Launderette is eligible for a community benefit rent reduction.[^6]

The petitioners began by explaining that the Launderette had served the community for 30 years, and that it had unexpectedly been closed by the council in February 2024. They told the meeting that the closure had damaged the Launderette's business and that the 2,100 residents who had signed the petition were reliant on the services it provided.

The petitioners were asked by Councillor Asma Islam to describe the engagement they had with the council after the closure, and how the closure had affected the community.

At the point when it was closed down, we'd had no engagement at all. It was a complete surprise to everyone when bailiffs turned up, trained the locks, and it was our staff that first learned a bit.

The petitioners said that since the petition was submitted they had been able to get the keys back to the Launderette, but that a sustainable, long-term solution was needed.

Councillor Amy Lee asked what a sustainable future looked like, and Councillor Abdul Mannan asked why the Launderette had been moved from the council's community asset portfolio to their commercial asset portfolio.

A sustainable future is a long-term, affordable lease, which takes into account the social value that the lawn drets delivers.

The petitioners said that they had not been made aware of the move to the commercial asset portfolio. Councillor Mannan also asked whether the Launderette had been involved in the development of the criteria that determined whether an asset could be part of the community premises portfolio.

We've had no input into anything regarding Council policy ... we have no input at all. We've never been asked.

Finally, Councillor Ahmed responded to the petition, explaining that he had met the petitioners, that the Launderette was providing a vital service to the community and that it had been granted a 12-month tenancy at will to allow it to continue to operate while a long-term arrangement was made.

I can assure the public and the petitioners that I along with Councillor Kabya Ahmed, Mayor's office and the senior officers have already had an initial meeting and agreed a tenancy at will until a move to permanent solution is found.

He explained that while the Launderette did not currently meet the criteria to be part of the community premises portfolio, Mayor Lutfur Rahman had called for a review of the council's rents and leases policy for the corporate asset portfolio and that the council was committed to finding a long-term solution for the Launderette.

Celebrating the Bangladeshi Diaspora in Tower Hamlets motion

The motion noted the long history of Bangladeshi people in Tower Hamlets, starting with the arrival of Lascar seaman who crewed European vessels, continuing with the arrival of many more Bangladeshi people in the 1950s and 1960s, and culminating with today's borough, where Bangladeshi people make up more than a third of the population. The motion also noted the many achievements of the Bangladeshi community in Tower Hamlets.

That this community – just like all other immigrants who have made this borough their home alongside the working class Eastenders who accepted and coexisted alongside them – have together made a massive contribution to the cultural; social; and economic fabric – not only of Tower Hamlets and London – but the UK more broadly. They all represent what is best about Britain, and the benefits of diversity; multiculturalism; and bringing the best out each other.

Councillor Musthak Ahmed proposed the motion, calling Tower Hamlets a microcosm of the best of Britain and celebrating the contribution of more than £3 billion to the local economy made by Bangladeshi businesses in the previous financial year. He finished by saying:

Let us ensure the legacy of Bangladeshidiaspora is known and honored across Tower Hamlets, London, the United Kingdom and beyond the borders.

The motion was seconded by Councillor Abu Talha Chowdhury, who also celebrated the long history of Bangladeshi people in Tower Hamlets, making specific reference to the role they had played in rebuilding Britain after World War II, and in the face of continued racism and xenophobia.

They faced, they faced, and overcame the violent racism of the national front in the 1970s, the B&P in the 1990s, and the EDL in the 2000s and 2010s.

Councillor Shirajul Islam, the leader of the Labour group, also spoke in favour of the motion, pointing out that Tower Hamlets had a history of welcoming immigrants and celebrating diversity.

When there has been a ceiling to broken in this para, we have broken it.

Councillor Sabina Akhtar also supported the motion. While she was proud of the achievements made by the Bangladeshi community, she also asked why, despite these achievements, Bangladeshi's had the lowest average hourly pay, the highest rate of poverty, struggled to secure the best jobs, and were more likely to have died during the Covid-19 pandemic than any other ethnic group.

She asked the council to add an amendment to the motion asking them to better represent Bangladeshi's in research and statistics, to ensure that senior staff proportionately reflected the community, and to ask the BAME commission to report to the council on its work.

We must address the systemic barriers that hinder our process.

Councillor Saied Ahmed then spoke in favour of the motion, and celebrated the success of Brick Lane and the Bangladeshi community's success in establishing the curry industry.

Councillor Rebecca Sultana also spoke about the history of the Bangladeshi community, their efforts to rebuild Britain, the racism they had faced, and the efforts they had made to improve the borough, and Councillor Andrew Wood spoke about the way that the Bangladeshi community had grown on the Isle of Dogs, and the contributions they had made there.

Councillor Shaheveer Shubo Hussain said that he had seen Tower Hamlets at both its best and worst and was proud to represent people in the council chamber. He finished by saying:

I am proud of who I am. I am proud of my community. I am proud of my borough.

Councillor Ahmed Durhane also spoke in favour of the motion, and Councillor Jahed Choudhury spoke about the role that immigrants played in the success of the NHS, and celebrated the success of the Bangladeshi community in creating the curry industry. Councillor Musthak Ahmed then spoke again, reflecting on his arrival in the United Kingdom in 1983, the history of Bangladeshi people in the borough and the values they had brought with them. He thanked all members for supporting the motion, saying:

It's not every day that we agree on anything, but today, two items in a row we've agreed on, and it's a display of unity and how politicians should work together and can come together if the issues are right.

Councillor Abdal Ullah also spoke in favour of the motion, highlighting the work he had done to celebrate the contribution of Bangladeshi people to British society, and celebrating the visit of the King and Queen to Brick Lane. He highlighted a heritage lottery funded project documenting the history of the Bangladeshi community in the borough, and asked whether the council would be interested in hosting an exhibition of the work.

The motion was put to the vote and was passed unanimously.

Child Poverty opposition motion

Councillor Asma Islam proposed the motion, which noted the high levels of child poverty in Tower Hamlets, where 56% of children live in poverty, and said that ending child poverty should be the council's most important objective.

The reason of the motion isn't that we haven't helped tackle poverty in this council. The need of this motion comes from the fact that we now need to look at a long-term strategy, one that is not dependent on any local election or general election.

She noted the work that the council had done to tackle poverty, but called for a poverty commission to be established that could develop a strategy for the next 15 years.

The motion was seconded by Councillor Amy Lee, who said that the motion showed that the council was committed to tackling poverty.

We talk all the time about the poverty that we all see ... but I really do think that this motion will put us in such a better position to repair some of that damage.

Mayor Lutfur Rahman proposed an amendment to the motion, replacing the call for a poverty commission with a call for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to establish an 'Ending Child Poverty' task and finish group to devise a 15 year plan to solve the problem. He called on opposition members to support this amendment, and also called on the government to lift the limit on child benefits.

And finally to my opposition colleagues, I call on you to have a word with the first customer and to ask him to lift the limit on child benefits.

Councillor Abdul Wahid then spoke in favour of the amendment, saying:

By creating opportunities for our young people, we would not only influence the trajectory of their lives, but we will invest in the future of childhood as a whole.

Councillor Muffida Bustin spoke in favour of the amended motion, noting the findings of the council's previous poverty review, and calling for more collaboration with partners like Canary Wharf to provide opportunities for young people. She finished by calling for the council to recognise the specific poverty issues faced by women, disabled people and the LGBTQI+ community.

Councillor Shafi Ahmed then spoke in support of the amended motion.

As the lead member for health well-being, I received a service manager's report in June of April from our Director of Public Health. This report presents an overview of health and quality of life in Tar Hamlets through data and highlights areas where more work is needed to support our resident to live well.

He said that one of the worst statistics for the borough was the high rate of child poverty, and that a 15 year plan was needed to address the issue.

Councillor John Pierce also spoke in favour of the motion, congratulating Councillor Rachel Blake on her election as MP for the Cities of London and Westminster.

So for the past 14 years, austerity and cuts have reversed the progress that was made under the last Labour government in terms of reducing child poverty and reducing pensioner poverty and raising living standards for all.

He said that the recent general election gave the country the chance to start again in terms of tackling poverty, and that the council needed to do more than rely on the government to deliver positive outcomes for residents.

We've been building the solid Social Security system that Gordon Brown created by the time that he left office, the Labour left office in 2010, which was systematically dismantled by George Osborne and Co.

He welcomed the proposal to establish a task and finish group, and was pleased to hear that Mayor Lutfur Rahman would support it.

Councillor Amina Ali also spoke in favour of the motion, describing the cost of living crisis and the need to combat child poverty.

It is unacceptable. This council has made it a priority to earn child poverty so that children of this borough are not kept at a disadvantage.

She spoke about the role that the council had played in tackling poverty, the work done to reduce carbon emissions, the creation of green jobs, and the need to ensure that green spaces were available to everyone.

Councillor Puru Miah spoke in favour of the motion, saying that poverty kills people's dreams, dignity and aspirations.

Poverty is dangerous if it isn't stopped.

Councillor Shaheera Chowdhury also spoke in favour of the motion, celebrating the launch of the council's free swimming initiative.

Councillor Asma Islam then exercised her right of reply, thanking members for supporting the motion and saying that child poverty was an issue close to her heart.

My own life experiences shaped my life, political views, it's my lived experiences of how socialist policies can change and impact people's lives is the very reason why I do what I do.

She then said that she was pleased to announce that the new Labour government had set up a task force to work on a child poverty strategy.

As my party branding goes, so if you want change, you've got to vote for it and so, Mr. Speaker, I'm happy for us to move to a vote.

The motion as amended was carried.

Market Designation: Columbia Road, Watney Market & Whitechapel Market report

Councillor Shafi Ahmed presented the report, which recommended that the council agree to a series of improvements to the three markets. These improvements related to the size of pitches and the layout of markets. He asked the council to agree to the following improvements:

• At Columbia Road Market, permanent adoption of measures introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic, namely increasing pitch sizes to 3 metres by 3 metres, and permanently adopting the existing layout.
• At Watney Market, to carry out engagement with traders about the use of gazebos, to delegate the decision on the adoption of a new pitch size of 3 metres by 3.81 metres to the Corporate Director, depending on the results of the engagement exercise, and to formally designate the area currently being used by traders.
• At Whitechapel Market, to formally designate the area currently being used by traders, and to make the existing pitch size of 2.57 metres by 4.5 metres official.

Councillor Kamrul Hussain seconded the motion, and a number of councillors spoke in favour of it. Councillor Abdal Ullah said:

What I want to convey a message from a lot of the traders in Columbia Road is that the three by three is welcome. However, as you know, it's a jewel in the crown of probably the best market in the country, the Columbia Road on a Sunday.

He welcomed the increase in pitch sizes, but asked whether the Corporate Director would consider allowing Columbia Road Market traders to extend the legs of their gazebos beyond the red line marking their pitches.

Councillor Nathalie Bienfait highlighted the findings of a review into market improvements carried out by the previous chair of the Environment and Climate Change Scrutiny Sub-Committee. She finished by saying:

So I wanted to bring this to the attention of everybody here. This is something that I'm hoping to look and look to bring forward over the next few months, and I've been working with officers, but this is, you know, this thing, this report is just one part in what I hope will be a significant improvement in the markets in Ta'amis.

Councillor Harun Miah asked the lead member to be mindful of charges to ensure that markets remain affordable. Councillor Abu Talha Chowdhury said:

We should do whatever it takes to help our market traders and support them, and I welcome this report. I hope everyone supports this as well.

Councillor Ahmedil Kabir also spoke in favour of the motion, and echoed Councillor Ullah's request that Columbia Road Market traders be given some leeway with the size of their gazebos.

Councillor Shaheera Chowdhury then asked whether the gazebos used in Hackney markets could be introduced in Tower Hamlets, and Councillor Kabir Ahmed welcomed the report.

Small businesses are the lifeline of the economy of our borough. I personally thank all the officers and the lead member for the hard work.

The motion was put to the vote and passed unanimously.

Market & Street Trading Fees & Charges 2024/25 report

Councillor Shafi Ahmed then presented the report, which recommended that street trading fees and market fees be increased by 3.1%. Councillor Ohid Ahmed seconded the motion.

Councillor Marc Francis said that the Labour group would not be supporting the report. He said that the council was not doing enough to support market traders, and that the case for increasing fees had not been made.

On this side of the chamber, we will not be supporting the proposed increase in pitch fees from September ... We also think the case has not been made that there is sufficient requirement for this money to be raised from traders and essentially from shoppers as well.

He also questioned the value for money being offered by the council, and said that there was no breakdown of income and expenditure for market services in the report. He asked the council to vote on an option not to raise the fees.

Councillor Shafi Shell also said that Labour would not be supporting the report.

I note the increase of traders market fees by 3.1% from September. My graph 3.7 of the report acknowledges the decline in number of market traders in the past 20 years. And I'm not sure if the proposed increase would help the situation.

Councillor Saied Ahmed then responded to the debate, reminding the Labour councillors that they had increased fees by the same amount when they were in administration, and saying:

This Labor percentage increase is now funny how members' opposite are now not agreeing to their own percentage, because this is a convenient for them to disagree with at the moment. And I believe, Mr Speaker, this is playing politics with our residents.

Councillor Asma Begum then spoke against the motion, saying:

I've read the report even in Christian market where the street market trader was clearly said that it's too expensive to live under the report. It says it's too difficult to pay current fees.

The amendment proposed by Councillor Francis was put to the vote and fell. The motion was then put to the vote and carried.

London Legacy Development Corporation interim delegations schemes report

Councillor Kabir Ahmed presented the report, which asked the council to approve two interim schemes to delegate planning powers back to the council from the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC). The first scheme would delegate some planning powers back to the council, namely the right to process new planning applications, starting on 1 September 2024.

In preparation for the transfer of LLDC's planning powers on 1st December 2024, the first interim delegation scheme would enable London borough of town hamlets to take on limited planning functions, mainly the receipt and determination of new planning applications received between 1st September 2024 and 30th November 2024, three months prior to the transition date.

The second scheme would transfer all planning powers back to the council, starting on 1 December 2024.

The second interim delegation scheme would delegate all planning functions from the LLDC to town hamlets as part of the growth boroughs from 1st December 2024 and it could only be required in the event that the legislation required for transfer of all planning powers does not receive parliamentary approval prior to the transition date.

Councillor Amin Rahman seconded the motion. Councillor Marc Francis said:

Goodness. Alleluia. Praise the Lord. Finally, after nearly 20 years, we get planning powers for part of the ward I represent back into some form of democratic process.

He welcomed the delegation of powers back to the council, but cautioned against tearing up the LLDC's local plan, in particular the restriction on the height of buildings in the area.

Councillor Peter Golds also welcomed the report, but asked whether the proposals might be overtaken by the proposals contained in the new government's King's Speech.

I just wonder if the proposals here before us this evening and indeed what are being talked about might just be overtaken by the proposals in the King's speech of the new planning regulations and the new planning bill and further transferring more powers into regional mayors as opposed to local authorities.

Councillor Jahed Choudhury welcomed the return of planning powers to the council and said:

Like Councillor Martin says, the planning should be subject to democratic process.

The motion was then put to the vote and passed unanimously.

Corporate Parenting Board annual report

Councillor Maium Talukdar presented the report and asked the council to note its contents.

I therefore asked the council to note the content of the corporate parenting board, annual report, and continue to support the work we do to look after the children and young people in the area.

Councillor Bodrul Choudhury seconded the motion. Councillor Abdul Wahid welcomed the report, saying that it was a sad and tragic reality that children who have spent time in the foster system are more likely to become involved in criminality or to become addicted to drugs. He finished by saying:

It is for this reason that I'm truly impressed by this Council's corporate parenting board, annual report, and in particular, the emphasis it puts on the rights and autonomy of our looked after children.

Councillor Saied Ahmed praised the work of staff, saying:

The report outlines some good news. We have increased the percentage of children in care who receive annual health and dental checks, increased the percentage of people who are expected to progress, and increased the percentage of people who develop personal education and pathway plans.

Councillor Amina Ali also welcomed the report, saying:

As you see, this report, notable progress has already been done.

Councillor Muffida Bustin also welcomed the report, saying that it was clear that members of the council took their responsibilities to looked after children seriously, but highlighted a statistic on page 93 of the report.

Because whilst the number of looked after children, the numbers of looked after children have dropped, the percentage of repeat children looked after has actually doubled.

She asked the members of the corporate parenting board to investigate this trend and report back to the council. Councillor Shaheera Chowdhury offered to mentor any care leavers who were looking for support.

Councillor Amy Lee praised the report, but asked for more detail about the mental health support offered to care leavers.

The report was noted unanimously.

Proportionality and Allocation of Places on Committees of the Council 2024/25 report

Councillor Maium Talukdar introduced the report, which set out the number of councillors from each party who would sit on the council's various committees. Councillor Bodrul Choudhury seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously, including the nominations of Councillor Sabina Akhtar to the Licensing Committee and the Strategic Development Committee.

Member Questions

Councillor Amin Rahman asked the Lead Member for Resources and the Cost of Living, Councillor Saied Ahmed, for an update on the council's outstanding accounts, which were left unsigned for six years by the previous administration.

Could the lead member provide an update on the council's outstanding accounts regarding the sign off? The accounts were left unsigned for the last six years under the previous administration.

Councillor Ahmed responded, saying:

Yes, the accounts were left unsigned for a very, very long time, which was unheard of in this council. So all previous outstanding accounts from 2016-17 to 2019-20 have been prepared, published, inspected as required, and signed off by the external auditors.

He said that the accounts for the 2020/21 and 2021/22 financial years were awaiting opinions from the external auditor, and that for the first time in several years, the 2023/24 accounts were published on time.

Councillor Rahman then asked a supplementary question, asking Councillor Ahmed to provide an example of how long the delay was in publishing accounts, and to describe the measures that had been put in place to ensure that accounts were produced on time.

Can the lead member please provide us an example of how long were the delays in publishing their accounts previously and what is the mitigation in place now?

Councillor Ahmed replied, saying that in 2020/21 the draft accounts were published seven months late.

To pick up an example, in the year 2020-21, the submission date was 31st of July 2021. But the publication date of the draft report was done on the 27th of February 2022. That is seven months delay.

He said that the council now had a permanent section 151 officer, a capable finance team, and that it was working tirelessly to make sure that accounts were produced on time.

Councillor Muffida Bustin then asked Councillor Saied Ahmed about targets for income generation from parks and open spaces on the Isle of Dogs. Councillor Ahmed responded, saying that an income target of £522,000 had been set, and that the council generated income from sports facilities, pitches and other spaces in the area.

So there is an income target of £522,000 for arts, parks and events team for £2,424,25 ... The arts, parks and events team managed the parks and open spaces across the borough, including the spaces on the island.

Councillor Bustin asked a supplementary question about specific references in the budget to a market in Millwall Park and to concession stands on the island, asking what progress had been made in implementing these proposals. Councillor Ahmed responded, saying that the plans were subject to funding, and that if funding was confirmed, the council's events and parks teams would follow appropriate procedures.

So in the island gardens, the plans at this stage is around the funding. So when the funding is confirmed, the residents will be consulted, and the events parks teams would have different processes to follow.

He also said that licensing processes would be followed, and that residents would be consulted.

Licensing Sub Committee - Thursday 18 July 2024

The Licensing Sub-Committee met to consider two applications for new premises licenses. They granted a new license to Carwash, 1 Quaker Street, for the sale of alcohol, on the condition that the business only sell alcohol during pre-booked events and restrict the number of events taking place each month. The second application for a new license, by Fabwick, Unit 4A Queens Yard, was considered in the absence of the applicant. Having heard a report from the licensing officer, the committee

The council held 8 meetings in the last week, including discussions of the council's accounts, performance, and the progress being made on delivering its youth services strategy.

Transformation Advisory Board

On Monday 08 July 2024, the Transformation Advisory Board met, but no transcript or video was provided.

Audit Committee

On Monday 08 July 2024, the Audit Committee received an update from its external auditors, Deloitte and Ernst & Young on the progress of their audits of the council's accounts. The auditors are expected to complete their audits by the government's backstop date of 30 September, but the committee heard that this may be subject to change depending on government policy.

Based on discussions in the sector to date, we understand that we should continue with our planned approach, assuming that the government will implement a backstop.

• Jonathon Gooding, Deloitte.

The committee also received updates on the progress of various internal and external audits being carried out at the council. Councillors noted four reports on School Audits, Risk Management, Insurance and Internal Audit. The committee also discussed its work plan for 2024/25. Finally, the committee moved into private session to discuss a confidential matter.

Licensing Sub Committee

On Tuesday 09 July 2024, the Licensing Sub-Committee met to consider two licensing applications: an application for a new premises license for the Borough of Bethnal Green Working Men's Club and an application for a variation of a premises license for the Victoria Park Market. The committee adjourned to make their decisions in private, and the applicants were to be notified within five working days.

Borough of Bethnal Green Working Men's Club

The Borough of Bethnal Green Working Men's Club, on Pollard Row, applied for a new premises license to permit the sale of alcohol, the provision of regulated entertainment, and the provision of late-night refreshments. The application related to the basement and ground floor of the building. There were multiple objectors to this application, including local residents, the Licensing Authority, and, unusually, the holder of two existing premises licenses for the same property: Warren Dent of Working Men's Club Ltd.

The Licensing Authority noted that if granted, the new license would cover the same area and times as one of the existing licenses, meaning that the same premises would be subject to two different licenses. This, it was argued, would make it difficult to determine which license holder was responsible for any breaches of licensing objectives, especially as both licenses would permit the sale of alcohol. This meant that the new application would fall foul of Tower Hamlets' Cumulative Impact Assessment policy, which restricts the number of licenses granted in areas where there is a high density of existing licenses in order to prevent crime and disorder and public nuisance¹.

Victoria Park Market

Victoria Park Market, operated by The Good Market Company Ltd in Victoria Park, sought to vary their existing license to add a Saturday market day with the sale of alcohol from 11:00 to 17:00. The market had been operating every Sunday since 2017, and already had a license permitting the sale of alcohol on Sundays.

A number of local residents and a Councillor from the neighbouring London Borough of Hackney, Councillor Penny Root, objected to the application on the grounds that it would cause public nuisance and potentially impact public safety. Concerns were raised about the additional traffic and parking that the market would generate, especially as access was only possible through the narrow Gore Road, which is designated as a Low Traffic Neighbourhood.

Overview & Scrutiny Committee

On Tuesday 09 July 2024, the Overview & Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the Council's budget outturn, its annual strategic delivery and performance report and progress against its Women's Safety Action Plan. The meeting also reviewed proposals for the next phase of the Council's corporate restructure and discussed a new draft work programme for Overview & Scrutiny.

The committee heard that the Council's general fund underspent by £300,000 in the 2023/24 financial year. This is a favourable movement from the forecast position of a £100,000 underspend that was reported in quarter 3. This positive outturn was delivered despite the Council spending £11.5 million over budget on homelessness, special educational needs and adult social care. This reflected national pressures on these service areas.

In the current climate for any authority [a £300,000 underspend] is a significant achievement

said Ms Julie Lorraine, the Council's Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director of Resources¹, adding that every other local authority, particularly [in] London, would be in a similar, if not slightly worse, overspending position.

There was a £2.7 million overspend in the Dedicated Schools Grant, with most of this relating to individual high needs arrangements for children with special needs, educational needs and disabilities. The Housing Revenue Account also overspent, by £5.2 million. This was mostly due to higher than anticipated expenditure on repairs and maintenance.

Pension Board

On Monday 08 July 2024, the Pension Board meeting was postponed.

Cabinet

On Wednesday 10 July 2024, the Cabinet noted the council's provisional financial outturn for 2023-24, reviewed the Quarter 4 performance report, and approved the revised Homelessness Accommodation Placement Policy.

The Budget

The Cabinet noted the provisional budget monitoring 2023-24 outturn which identified an underspend of £300,000 on the General Fund and overspends of £2.7 million on the Dedicated Schools Grant and £5.2 million on the Housing Revenue Account.

Speaking about the budget, Chief Executive Ms Julia Lorraine said:

I joined halfway through this financial year, but was presented with a series of significant budget pressures that you all faced at the beginning of the year when the budget was set. And to do that, and throughout the year continue to face the pressures that most London boroughs face around homelessness, send an adult social care, and still end up in the position that we did, is a real reflection of prudent, proactive budget management.

The Mayor praised the efforts made to control the budget, highlighting the council's commitment to fiscal responsibility whilst also continuing to fund and reinvest in public services.

Procurement Transformation

The Cabinet approved a procurement transformation programme that is intended to address 'significant procurement failures' and ensure that the council is in compliance with the Public Procurement Act 2023. The new Act comes into force in October 2024, so the programme is intended to achieve compliance ahead of that date. The Act itself aims to reduce bureaucracy in public procurement and to open it up to small businesses and social enterprises.

The Mayor referred to the programme as 'well overdue', alluding to historic governance failures in the council's procurement practices.

The Local Plan 2038

The Mayor announced that he had asked for discussion of the proposed submission version of the Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2038 to be postponed. He said that he wanted to investigate the possibility of removing maximum heights from building site allocations in order to explore the delivery of more family homes and affordable homes. The plan is now to be discussed at the next Cabinet meeting, scheduled for the 24th July 2024.

Homelessness Accommodation and Placement

The Cabinet approved a revised Homelessness Accommodation Placement Policy which will guide the way that the council allocates accommodation to homeless households, including where it secures accommodation for them.

Former Shapla School Site Interim Use

The Cabinet approved the interim use of the former Shapla School site as a decant location for a number of services that currently occupy the Professional Development Centre site and the Commercial Road site. The move will make way for two other projects: the development of an Institute of Academic Excellence at the Professional Development Centre site, and the development of housing at the Commercial Road site. The interim use will be in place until 2027, after which it is anticipated that the Shapla School site will be incorporated into a larger scheme for the redevelopment of the Ocean Estate.

Children and Education Scrutiny Sub-Committee

On Thursday 11 July 2024, the Children and Education Scrutiny Sub-Committee met to discuss the progress that has been made in delivering the council's youth services, including plans to open a youth club in each of the borough's wards.

Youth Services

The Children's Services Directorate presented plans to expand youth services provision in the borough as part of the new Young Tower Hamlets strategy. Councillor Maium Talukdar, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Education, Youth and Lifelong Learning, highlighted the strategic aims of the new strategy which include providing A safe space in every ward and A workforce that reflects the community.[1] The Sub-Committee heard that there are currently eight universal youth clubs operating in the borough, and that plans are in place to identify a suitable building for youth work in each ward by 2025.

The Sub-Committee also heard about the need for increased investment in youth services. Steve Reddy, Corporate Director for Children’s Services, said:

A significant reduction in funding to youth services at a local and national level over the past decade has led to an increase in crime and anti-social behaviour and lack of safe spaces for young people to go outside of school hours or during holiday periods.[2]

Appointments Sub Committee

On Tuesday 09 July 2024, the Appointments Sub Committee met to interview candidates for the position of Director of Legal and Monitoring Officer. The meeting was not open to the public.

Employee Appeals Sub Committee

On Monday 08 July 2024, the Employee Appeals Sub Committee met to consider an appeal against dismissal by an employee of Tower Hamlets Council. The meeting was held in private and its outcome has not been made public.

Tower Hamlets Council held one meeting this week, which discussed the council's pension fund accounts, policies, and training strategy.

Pensions Committee

On Monday, the Pensions Committee met to discuss several key aspects of the Tower Hamlets Pension Fund, including the draft statement of accounts for 2023/24, governance and compliance, the admissions policy, training strategy, and arrangements for issuing annual benefit statements. The meeting was chaired by Councillor Ananya.

Pension Fund Accounts 2023/24

Paul Aoude, Interim Head of Pensions and Treasury, presented the draft statement of accounts for the 2023/24 financial year. He highlighted that the accounts were prepared following the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom 2023/24. Mr. Aoude mentioned that the accounts were being reviewed by the council’s auditors, EY, and would be presented again after the audit’s completion.

Councillor Asma Islam raised concerns about “contentious issues” previously raised by the council’s previous auditors. Mr. Aoude assured the committee that they were working closely with EY and addressing any queries raised.

“Offices are currently working with EY to do the pre-audit walkthroughs ahead of the main audit, commencing later this month and possibly next month, and then with a sign-off due in the very near future.” — Paul Aoude

Pension Fund Governance and Compliance

Mr. Aoude presented a report on the Pension Fund’s governance and compliance. He explained that the existing policy needed updating to align with Regulation 55 of the Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations 2013, the Pensions Regulator General Code of Practice, and the Scheme Advisory Board guidance.

Councillor Rabina Khan enquired about the outdated status of the statement and measures to ensure future compliance.

“Out-dated simply means that it requires updating, but it shouldn’t be seen as overly controversial. I think it was the clauses in [the] document, relevant as they can be, but of course, in an environment like the LGPS where small changes just need to be picked up and refined, and to the extent that we need to ensure that the document is always bang up to date.” — Paul Aoude

Admissions Policy

The committee reviewed the Pension Fund’s admissions policy, outlining how employers are admitted to the fund. Councillor Khan raised concerns about ten outstanding legacy cases of unfinished employer admission, questioning the council’s awareness of potential risks to the fund.

Mr. Aoude clarified that these cases came to light through employer contact and internal investigations. He emphasized that employers are only admitted after thorough checks by lawyers and actuaries to mitigate risks.

Training Strategy

The committee discussed the scope of the draft training strategy for the Pension Board and Committee.

Councillor Mohammed Ahbab Hossain inquired about the training provided to committee members, specifically site visits to investment managers.

Mr. Aoude explained the various training options available, including inductions, online resources, seminars, and conferences. He confirmed that site visits to fund managers, including London CIV, would be arranged.

Annual Benefit Statements

Mr. Aoude updated the committee on issuing annual benefit statements to Pension Fund members. The council aims to issue around 8,000 statements to active members and 8,400 to deferred members by 31 August 2024.

Councillor Khan raised concerns about anomalies in pension payments identified in a December 2023 meeting and sought an update on the data cleansing exercise. Mr. Aoude stated that the exercise was ongoing and would inform the 2025 actuarial valuation. He assured the committee that overpayments would be recovered, and underpayments rectified.

Forward Work Programme

The Pensions Committee noted its forward work programme, outlining the schedule and key focus areas for future meetings.

This meeting highlighted the Pensions Committee’s commitment to ensuring the financial stability and transparency of the Tower Hamlets Pension Fund.

This week, Tower Hamlets Council held several important meetings, addressing a wide range of issues from education to housing and community grants. Here’s a detailed summary of the key discussions and decisions.

Mayor's Executive Decision Making

On Friday, the Mayor's Executive Decision Making session saw two significant decisions made by the Mayor:

Wood Wharf School Funding

The Mayor approved a proposal to provide £30 million in funding to the Education & Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) for the construction of a new free school at Wood Wharf in Canary Wharf. The school, to be run by the Canary Wharf College Trust, will offer 1,150 school places, including 200 secondary school places.

The new school is being built to address the increasing demand for both primary and secondary school places in Tower Hamlets. The government’s preferred approach to meeting this demand is through the construction of new free schools, which are funded directly by the government and operate independently of local authority oversight.

Pupil forecasts for Tower Hamlets predict a significant increase in the demand for both primary and secondary school places in the coming years.

Free schools have been a topic of debate since their introduction in 2010. Critics argue that they undermine local democracy and create a two-tier education system, while proponents believe they increase parental choice and drive up standards.

Weavers Fields Playground Refurbishment

The Mayor also agreed to allocate £1.6 million for the refurbishment of a playground in Weavers Fields. A public consultation revealed strong support for the refurbishment, with 93% of respondents in favor of a larger play area with equipment for a wider age range.

The current playground is nearing the end of its life and is not fully accessible to disabled children. It also suffers from anti-social behavior, including drug dealing and rough sleeping.

The existing playground is not fully accessible to disabled children and suffers from anti-social behavior, including drug dealing and rough sleeping.

Housing & Regeneration Scrutiny Sub Committee

On Monday, the Housing & Regeneration Scrutiny Sub Committee met to discuss the council’s housebuilding targets and the state of its refurbishment program. Key points included:

Housebuilding Targets

The council is unlikely to meet its target of starting work on 1,000 new affordable homes per year between 2022 and 2026. Only 459 affordable homes were completed in 2023/24, down from 549 the previous year. Concerns were raised about the reliance on joint ventures with private developers and the need for additional funding to meet viability deficits.

A harsh critic would really, really lay into this performance, especially given that this performance is predominantly based on shared ownership and intermediate rent.

Major Works Programme

The committee received an update on the major works program, which has faced challenges due to market conditions and new regulations. Delays have impacted residents, particularly in terms of addressing damp and mould issues and removing combustible cladding.

In my ward, there is a serious problem with damp and mould. It's better now because it's summer, but throughout the winter, there were so many complaints.

The council is taking a “fabric first” approach to tackling damp and mould, addressing the underlying causes rather than just treating the symptoms.

Licensing Sub Committee

On Tuesday, the Licensing Sub Committee discussed three licensing applications:

Sainsbury's, Mile End Road

The committee considered an application for a new premises license for the sale of alcohol by Sainsbury's at their new store on Mile End Road. Local residents and a Councillor raised concerns about potential anti-social behavior, noise, and traffic. Sainsbury's argued that their stores are well-managed and do not sell high-strength beers or ciders.

We don't sell the high strength ciders, the white ciders. We don't sell the high strength beers that tend to be attractive to those who are harmful drinkers and those that want to drink on the street.

The committee reserved its decision on the application.

Vittoria Wharf Studio, Hackney Wick

An application for a new premises license for Vittoria Wharf Studio was considered. The Metropolitan Police and Environmental Health raised concerns about noise and public safety. The applicant offered to work with authorities to address these concerns, including installing a sound limiter and implementing a noise management plan.

We're happy to have the limiter condition added, no problem, and we're happy to have a condition that the works recommended in the noise management plan are completed and signed off with the environmental health team.

The committee reserved its decision on the application.

Temporary Event Notice: Colour Factory, Hackney Wick

The committee granted a temporary event notice for Colour Factory, subject to an earlier closing time on Sunday. Environmental Health had raised concerns about potential noise nuisance from the new mezzanine area at the venue.

We are a pretty experienced venue. We operate until 4 AM most Fridays and Saturday evenings. We have had no evidence of any statutory noise complaints that have been proven against the venue in the four years that we've been open.

Audit Committee

On Thursday, the Audit Committee reviewed the Council's performance in relation to its finances, risk management, and a recent review of homecare services.

Performance and Accounts 2023/24

The Council successfully delivered a balanced budget for the 2023/24 financial year without using reserves. The level of earmarked reserves was reduced by £77.218 million from the previous year.

The Director of Finance explained that the Council had delivered a balanced budget position, and this had been achieved without the need to use any reserves to fund the budget.

Risk Management

The Council updated its risk management strategy to reflect changes in best practice guidelines from the Institute of Risk Management (IRM). A new risk management system is being implemented in 2024/25.

The revised IRM guidance has resulted in the need to further strengthen the Council's arrangements and a new Risk Management System is being implemented in 2024/25.

Review of Homecare Services

A review of the Council's homecare services found that while generally well-run, there were areas for improvement, particularly in communication with residents and ensuring that residents receive the right care at the right time.

In 40% of cases reviewed, needs assessments lacked sufficient detail in capturing residents' desired outcomes, preferences, and risks, impacting the quality and person-centredness of care.

An action plan is being developed to address the recommendations in the report.

Appointments Sub Committee

On Wednesday, the Appointments Sub Committee discussed two items:

Independent Person for Governance

The committee decided by a majority vote not to appoint an Independent Person for Governance at this time.

Independent Remuneration Panel

The committee interviewed and unanimously appointed a candidate to the Independent Remuneration Panel, which advises the council on the salaries and expenses of Councillors.

Standards Advisory Committee

On Wednesday, the Standards Advisory Committee reviewed its procedures and discussed the handling of complaints made against Councillors.

Procedure Rules

The committee agreed to a minor change to its procedure rules, clarifying the structure of its subcommittees.

Register of Interests

The committee received an update on the register of interests and gifts and hospitality declarations, noting that eight declarations had been made since November 2023.

Complaints

The committee discussed the handling of complaints, raising concerns about the length of time it takes to investigate some complaints and the need for more mediation options.

I've run businesses in my commercial life and if I had senior employees taking two months to come back to me about a complaint that had been raised by a member of staff or a different department, I'd have them out the door following proper employment practice, of course.

The committee also discussed whether Councillors should be subject to the Code of Conduct at all times, even when not acting in their capacity as Councillors.

LGA Best Practice Guidance

The committee agreed to review and provide feedback on draft best practice guidance for standards committees being developed by the Local Government Association (LGA).

Annual Report

The committee reviewed its draft annual report, which will be presented to the Council on 17 July 2024.

Member Attendance

The committee noted the attendance of Councillors at its meetings and agreed to write to those with poor attendance to remind them of their obligations.

These meetings reflect Tower Hamlets Council's ongoing efforts to address both immediate and long-term community needs through thoughtful and inclusive governance.

Tower Hamlets Council held three meetings this week, including a significant Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting that questioned whether the council should be allowed to continue hosting as many commercial events in Victoria Park as it does, and two licensing discussions - one approving a shadow license for the Yard Theatre and one considering but eventually postponing a decision on extended hours for Studio Spaces in Wapping.

Excessive number of major commercial events in Victoria Park

On Tuesday, the Overview & Scrutiny Committee met to discuss several issues, including whether the Council should allow AEG Presents to continue to host commercial events in Victoria Park without seeking public feedback.

This meeting was called in objection to the result of a prior meeting on the 16th of May, in which the Mayor considered a report on the Victoria Park Licence to Occupy and decided to allow AEG Presents Limited to hold commercial events on Victoria park until 2027.

The objection described the decision as [enabling] the Mayor to extend the excessive number of major commercial events in Victoria Park for an additional year (2027).

It went on to note that:

In keeping with its refusal to listen to the views of residents living around Victoria Park, this change has not been notified to residents or even the Friends Group

and that

This change commits an incoming Executive Mayor following the May 2026 local elections to a programme of events for half their term of office.

The previous events held by AEG in Victoria Park, including All Points East, are much loved, but there have been objections from some of the residents to the disturbance they cause.

We do not currently have a transcript of the Overview and Scrutiny meeting so it is as yet unclear whether the decision was overturned.

Review of Housing Strategy

The committee also reviewed the council's housing strategy, focusing on the need for affordable housing and the improvement of existing housing stock. The discussion centred on the council's commitment to increasing the number of affordable homes and ensuring that current housing meets safety and quality standards.

Scrutiny of Local Health Services

The committee scrutinised local health services, particularly the performance of Barts Health NHS Trust. The discussion included an evaluation of patient care, waiting times, and resource allocation. Councillors expressed concerns about the long waiting times for certain treatments and the impact of staff shortages on service delivery.

Licensing Sub Committee

On Tuesday, the Licensing Sub Committee convened to discuss several licensing applications, including a new premises license for Unit 2A, Queen's Yard, and a variation of premises license for Studio Spaces Limited.

New Premises License for Unit 2A, Queen's Yard

The committee reviewed an application for a new premises license for Unit 2A, Queen's Yard, 43 Whitepost Lane, London E8 5EN which houses the Yard Theatre. This application was for a shadow license, a duplicate license held by the landlord to protect against the existing license lapsing due to unforeseen circumstances such as insolvency or surrender. The applicant, Hatton Garden Properties Limited, emphasized that this license would not result in additional use or extended hours but would serve as a safety net.

The committee heard from both the applicant and the licensing officer, who explained the purpose and necessity of a shadow license. The committee also noted that there were no objections from responsible authorities or residents, indicating that the application was uncontroversial. The decision on this application will be communicated within five working days.

Variation of Premises License for Studio Spaces Limited

The committee also considered an application for a variation of the premises license for Studio Spaces Limited, located at 110 Pennington Street, London E1W 2BB. The variation sought to extend the operating hours on Sunday nights into Monday mornings and make minor amendments to the current plan.

The applicant argued that the extension was necessary to accommodate specific events and had been trialed successfully through temporary event notices and existing permissions for bank holidays. They highlighted the absence of objections from the police and the comprehensive management plans in place to ensure public safety and minimize nuisance.

However, objections were raised by the Environmental Health Officer and the Licensing Authority, citing concerns about the potential impact on residents, particularly with new residential developments planned nearby. The committee discussed the agent of change principle, which places the onus on new developments to mitigate noise from existing venues.

The decision on this application will also be communicated within five working days.

Women's Commission

On Wednesday, the Women's Commission convened, but no video or transcript was provided for this meeting.

This week was a busy week for Tower Hamlets Council. Discussions included the borough's high STI rates, particularly among your people and men who have sex with men; a significant increase in the support provided for children with special educational needs and disabilities; a decline in life expectancy across Tower Hamlets; regulation of late-night premises including drinking spots and sexual entertainment venues; and the construction of 407 new residential units on a site in Stepney Green.

Tower Hamlets Health and Wellbeing Board

On Monday, the Tower Hamlets Health and Wellbeing Board convened to discuss key health initiatives and strategies for the borough. The meeting focused on the Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy 2024-2029, the SEND Improvement Update, and the Serious Violence and Exploitation Strategy.

Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy 2024-2029

The Board received a presentation on the Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy 2024-2029. The strategy aims to address high rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and low contraception uptake in Tower Hamlets. Key points included:

• High STI rates, particularly among young people and men who have sex with men.
• Low uptake of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) among women.
• The need for a collaborative approach across North East London to improve sexual health outcomes.
• The strategy's focus on reducing stigma, improving service accessibility, and enhancing community engagement.

The Board agreed to publish the draft strategy for consultation during May and June 2024, with formal approval expected in late summer 2024.

SEND Improvement Update

Steve Reddy, Corporate Director of Children's Services, presented an update on the SEND Improvement. Key points included:

• A significant increase in Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs) from 2000 to nearly 4000.
• The need for self-assessment readiness for upcoming re-inspections.
• Priorities for timely support, user-friendly services, and creating an inclusive environment for young people with SEND.
• The importance of engaging young people in shaping priorities through forums like the Young People's Forum.

The Board discussed enhancing support for individuals over 18 with learning disabilities, addressing low COVID booster uptake among the SEND cohort, and improving leisure and well-being opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

Serious Violence and Exploitation Strategy

Leo Hutchinson, Strategy and Policy Manager, introduced the Serious Violence and Exploitation Strategy. The strategy, developed in response to the Police Crime Sentencing Courts Act 2022, includes six strategic themes:

• Prevention and early intervention.
• Safer spaces.
• Disrupting, pursuing, and managing offenders.
• Supporting victims of violence.
• Safeguarding those at risk of exploitation.
• Tackling violence against women and girls.

The Board emphasized the importance of involving schools, housing providers, and the voluntary and community sector in the strategy's implementation. The strategy will be presented to the Cabinet on 24 September 2024.

Public Health Report

Suman Banerjee, Acting Corporate Director of Adult Social Care, presented the Annual Public Health Report. Key findings included:

• A decline in life expectancy in Tower Hamlets, mirroring national trends.
• Significant population growth among older age groups, impacting health and care services.
• High levels of population churn and language proficiency issues.
• High levels of childhood poverty and deprivation among older people.
• Environmental factors such as overcrowding and poor air quality affecting health.
• High rates of diabetes, low birth weight, and dental decay among children.
• Variations in long-term conditions and mental health issues by ethnicity.

The Board discussed the need for improved data collection and analysis to address health inequalities and ensure services meet the needs of the diverse population in Tower Hamlets.

Licensing Committee

On Thursday, the Licensing Committee met to discuss various issues related to licensing enforcement, including the outcomes of late-night inspections and the coordination between Tower Hamlets and Hackney Councils. The Committee resolved to note the activities undertaken by the Environmental Health and Trading Standards Service in regulating late-night licensed premises.

Licensing Enforcement

David Tolley, Head of Environmental Health and Trading Standards, introduced a report reviewing the outcomes of late-night inspections and enforcement activities related to licensed premises. These inspections are conducted based on intelligence alleging contraventions of the Licensing Act 2003, which governs the sale and supply of alcohol, regulated entertainment, and late-night refreshment in England and Wales.

Tom Lewis, Licensing Team Leader, provided additional details on the enforcement activities. Key points discussed included:

• Decrease in Licensing Visits: The Committee inquired about the reasons for the decrease in the number of licensing visits between 2022 and 2023. David Tolley and Tom Lewis explained that this was due to a combination of factors, including changes in enforcement priorities and resource allocation.
• Use of Park Guards: The rationale behind employing Park Guards in enforcement activities was discussed. Park Guards assist in maintaining public order and ensuring compliance with licensing conditions during late-night operations.
• Coordination with Hackney Council: An overview of the coordination between Tower Hamlets Council and Hackney Council in licensing enforcement was provided. This collaboration aims to enhance the effectiveness of enforcement activities across borough boundaries.
• Sexual Entertainment Venues (SEVs): Information was provided on the status of SEVs in the borough, including the number of active venues and the regulatory framework governing them.
• Test Purchases: The process of commissioning test purchases, particularly for age-restricted products, was detailed. The Committee was informed about the circumstances under which formal legal action or prosecution would be pursued following test purchases.
• Licensing Requirements for New Businesses: The Committee discussed the processes in place to alert new businesses about licensing requirements, such as the need for a license for food sales after 11pm. Infractions could be raised by the food team or through complaints from residents.
• Complaint Investigations: Information was provided on the team's timescales and targets for investigating complaints related to licensing infractions.

Further to questions, the Committee made several observations:

• Comparative Data: The Committee suggested that having comparative data from neighbouring local authorities would assist in assessing the Council’s licensing enforcement performance.
• Proactive Communication: A process to proactively identify and communicate licensing requirements to new businesses was deemed beneficial. Councillors noted that they sometimes receive complaints that no advance warning of licensing requirements is provided.

The Committee resolved to note the activities undertaken by the Environmental Health and Trading Standards Service in regulating late-night licensed premises.

Development Committee

On Wednesday, the Development Committee met to discuss several significant planning applications and procedural matters. Key decisions included the approval of a major redevelopment project and the confirmation of a Tree Preservation Order (TPO).

Land Comprising Harriet, Apsley, and Pattison House, and Red Court Community Centre

The committee approved the redevelopment of land comprising Harriet, Apsley, and Pattison House, and the Red Court Community Centre in Stepney Green, London E1. The project involves the demolition of existing buildings and the construction of 407 residential units and a new community centre. The development will include buildings ranging from four to eight stories, with 53% of the housing designated as affordable. The committee noted that the project aligns with the council's housing policies and will provide significant benefits, including new green spaces and improved community facilities.

8 White's Row, London E1

The committee also approved an application for a two-storey roof extension at 8 White's Row, London E1. The extension will create a four-bedroom duplex unit. Despite objections from local residents concerning fire safety and refuse collection, the committee determined that the application met all planning requirements. The decision was influenced by the fact that a similar application had been approved in 2021. The new plan includes internal refuse storage and a strategy for waste collection.

Tree Preservation Order (TPO) for the Dinmont Estate

The committee confirmed a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) for two trees on the Dinmont Estate. The TPO aims to protect a whitebeam and a London plane tree, both of which provide significant amenity value to the area. The decision followed concerns from residents about potential threats to the trees due to proposed development plans by Tower Hamlets Community Housing (THCH). The TPO will ensure that any future development proposals will have to consider the preservation of these trees.

Procedural Matters

The committee reviewed and approved the terms of reference for the Development Committee, including minor updates to referral criteria and terminology. The committee also discussed the dates for future meetings and addressed potential scheduling conflicts.

The meeting concluded with a unanimous vote to confirm the TPO and a majority vote in favour of the planning applications discussed.

This week, Tower Hamlets Council held three meetings. Discussions included an action plan to address a shortage of doctors and nurses in the borough, and solutions were proposed including providing housing incentives and council tax support for NHS workers.

Health & Adults Scrutiny Sub-Committee

On Tuesday, the Health & Adults Scrutiny Sub-Committee met to address several key issues related to health and adult services. This meeting, chaired by Councillor Muhammad Bella-Ludin, focussed on the shortage of workers in the health and care sector.

Workforce Shortages and Action Plan

Garrett Noble, Deputy Director of Workforce Programme at NHS North East London, presented an update on the action plan to address workforce shortages across the health and care sector. Key initiatives include promoting career ambassador programs and developing a workforce strategy for North East London.

Our workforce strategy for North East London was signed off in January 2024. In the next two quarters, we'll be looking at a delivery plan specifically for how we attract, retain, lead, and innovate to deliver the workforce across North East London. — Garrett Noble

The committee discussed the importance of local recruitment and the need for housing allocations for key workers, reflecting ongoing challenges in attracting and retaining healthcare professionals.

Annual JOSIC Update

The committee received an update on the Inner North East London Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee (JOSIC), with representatives from Tower Hamlets participating in discussions on health and care sector workforce issues.

Addressing Workforce Shortages

The committee explored various strategies to address workforce shortages, including housing incentives and council tax support for NHS workers. The discussion highlighted the complexity of these issues and the need for multi-agency collaboration.

One of the interesting conversations that we've had with some of our people directors is about who that [key worker housing] would be accessible for, and we talk very much about our shortage professions both across health and care. — Garrett Noble

Appointments Sub Committee

On Wednesday, the Appointments Sub Committee convened, but no transcript is available for this meeting.

General Purposes Committee

On Tuesday, the General Purposes Committee convened to discuss various administrative and governance matters. The meeting was chaired by Councillor Ahmodul Kabir. Unfortunately, we were not able to get a full transcript of the meeting.

This week, Tower Hamlets Council held several meetings, each addressing important issues that impact the community. Here’s a summary of the most significant discussions and decisions.

King George's Field Charity Board

On Wednesday, the King George's Field Charity Board convened to discuss various administrative and financial matters concerning the King George's Field Trust. The meeting covered several key points:

Financial Position and Audit Accounts

The board reviewed the audit accounts for 2021-2022 and discussed the current financial position for 2023-2024. A notable point was the in-year deficit due to backdated rent and additional pressures on repairs and maintenance. The board plans to address this deficit with a strategy to reduce it by £40,000 in the 2024-2025 financial year.

We are hoping to reduce that by £40,000 deficit in 24-25. — Board Member

Governance and Activity Updates

The board received updates on governance-related matters and ongoing work by legal services. There was also a discussion on the allocation of grant funds for the Fields in Trust, which aims to support various projects within the trust's remit.

Community Safety and Maintenance

The board discussed the need for increased CCTV coverage at Wellington Green to address antisocial behavior. This decision was based on feedback from community safety meetings and neighborhood police teams.

It came out of a wider review of parks and looking at whether there are areas we've identified could benefit from increased CCTV. — Board Member

Development Committee

On Thursday, the Development Committee met to discuss planning applications and procedural matters. Unfortunately, no transcript is available for this meeting.

Appointments Sub Committee

On Tuesday, the Appointments Sub Committee convened, but no transcript is available for this meeting.

This week, Tower Hamlets Council held several important meetings, each addressing key issues that impact the community. Here’s a summary of the most significant discussions and decisions.

Tower Hamlets Health and Wellbeing Board

On Monday, the Tower Hamlets Health and Wellbeing Board met to discuss ongoing health initiatives. Unfortunately, no video broadcast of this meeting is available.

Pension Board

The Pension Board also convened on Monday. However, the notes from this meeting have not yet been summarised.

Overview & Scrutiny Committee

The Overview & Scrutiny Committee meeting on Tuesday was particularly impactful, focusing on several administrative and operational issues within the council.

Mayor's Spotlight

Mayor Lutfur Rahman provided an overview of the council's achievements and challenges over the past year. Key initiatives included:

• Education Maintenance Allowance and University Bursary Schemes: Supporting students in higher education.
• Free School Meals: Tower Hamlets is the only borough offering free school meals to all students up to age 16.
• Cost of Living Support: A £10 million investment to support residents.
• Council Tax Freeze: Universal freeze for all residents, with continued freezes for the poorest.
• Youth Services: Nearly £14 million invested.
• Community Safety: Recruitment of 42 additional enforcement officers and new CCTV infrastructure.
• Resident Hubs: Reopening of five hubs.
• Environmental Initiatives: Planting thousands of trees, retrofitting buildings with green technology, and installing over a thousand EV charging points.
• Waste Services: A £14 million investment, including greening the fleet and bringing Tower Hamlets Homes in-house.

The Mayor also discussed challenges such as housing, financial stability, homelessness, and customer services.

Committee Appointments and Subcommittees

The committee confirmed various appointments and the establishment of subcommittees:

• Scrutiny Lead for Adults and Health Services: Councillor Baledin
• Scrutiny Lead for Children and Education: Councillor Abdulman
• Scrutiny Lead for Housing and Regeneration: Councillor Baledin
• Scrutiny Lead for Resources: Councillor Abdulman
• Scrutiny Lead for Community Safety: Councillor Pseudogovernment
• Environment and Climate Emergency: Councillor Nathadi Beyond Free

Governance and Restructuring

Chief Executive Stephen Halsey discussed restructuring to improve service delivery and support for the scrutiny function, emphasizing the need for additional resources.

Questions from Committee Members

Committee members raised questions on topics such as:

• Governance of Tower Hamlets Homes
• Free School Meals
• Customer Services
• Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
• Homelessness
• Crime and Community Safety
• Maternity Services

Statutory Guidance for Scrutiny

The committee reviewed statutory guidance, emphasizing the importance of a strong culture, adequate resources, and effective planning.

Co-opted Member Attendance

The committee discussed co-opted member attendance and decided to provide additional support, with a review in six months.

Cabinet

The Cabinet met on Wednesday, but no video broadcast is available.

Licensing Sub Committee

The Licensing Sub Committee met on Thursday. No video broadcast is available for this meeting.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee on Thursday focused on key administrative and governance issues.

Appointment of Vice Chair

Councillor Amina Rahman was appointed as vice chair for 2024/2025.

Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes

Minutes from the April 23, 2024, meeting were approved.

Audit Committee Terms of Reference

The committee agreed on the terms of reference, membership, and meeting dates for 2024/2025.

Annual Governance Statement (AGS) 2023/2024

David Dobbs presented the AGS, with committee members requesting more balanced and detailed information. A revised AGS will be presented at the next meeting.

External Audit Update

Steven Reed from EY provided an update on the external audit process, assuring no concerns in the handover from Deloitte.

Audit Committee Work Plan

The committee reviewed and noted the work plan for 2024/2025, suggesting additional items for inclusion.

Exclusion of Press and Public

The committee moved to exclude the press and public for the remaining items on the agenda.

Key Implications

• Community Support: Initiatives like free school meals and cost of living support are crucial for residents.
• Environmental and Safety Investments: Investments in green technology and community safety will have long-term benefits.
• Governance and Oversight: The restructuring and scrutiny efforts aim to improve council operations and transparency.

These meetings reflect Tower Hamlets Council's ongoing efforts to address both immediate and long-term community needs through thoughtful and inclusive governance.

This week, Tower Hamlets Council addressed several key issues across multiple meetings, reflecting its ongoing commitment to community development and effective governance.

Strategic Development Committee

On Tuesday, the Strategic Development Committee convened to discuss significant planning applications and procedural matters.

The first major topic was the planning application for a new pedestrian and cycle bridge across the River Lea at Ailsa Wharf. This bridge aims to connect Tower Hamlets and Newham, facilitating better pedestrian and cyclist movement between the two boroughs. Key concerns included the head height clearance under the bridge, the demarcation between pedestrian and cyclist areas, and the potential for anti-social behavior. The committee voted unanimously to grant planning permission with additional conditions for a drainage strategy and a secure by design review of the seating area.

We need to ensure that this bridge not only connects communities but also addresses safety and usability concerns. — Committee Member

The second major topic was the redevelopment of Caxton Hall Community Centre and adjoining land. The proposal included a part seven, part nine-story building with 36 affordable housing units and a replacement community centre. Concerns were raised about the height of the building, its impact on daylight and sunlight for neighboring properties, and the adequacy of consultation with local residents. Despite these concerns, the committee voted to grant planning permission with a majority of six in favor, one against, and two abstentions.

The committee also agreed on procedural matters, including dealing with future reserve matters applications for the Bishopsgate Goods Yard site and an interim delegation scheme for planning applications within the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) area. These decisions will ensure that Tower Hamlets can effectively manage planning powers as they transition back from the LLDC.

Council Meeting

On Wednesday, the Council meeting focused on the election of new leadership and the establishment of committees for the upcoming year.

Councillor Saifuddin Khaled was elected as the new speaker, and Councillor Suluk Ahmed as the deputy speaker. The outgoing speaker, Councillor Jahed Choudhury, was praised for his service, particularly his work with St. Joseph's Hospice and Eden Care UK. Councillor Khaled emphasized his commitment to fairness and integrity, announcing his support for the Sick Children's Trust and Osmani Trust.

I am committed to ensuring that our council operates with fairness and integrity, supporting our residents through these challenging times. — Councillor Saifuddin Khaled

The council also discussed the proportionality and establishment of committees. A proposal to increase the size of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee from nine to eleven members was debated, with some skepticism about whether this would address the real issue of executive engagement with the committee.

Housing & Regeneration Scrutiny Sub Committee

On Monday, the Housing & Regeneration Scrutiny Sub Committee addressed severe complaints and systemic failures of Tower Hamlets Community Housing (THCH). Residents voiced frustrations about poor service, lack of repairs, and overall mismanagement by THCH. The council outlined steps taken, including meetings with THCH management and letters to the regulator, emphasizing the need for a localized solution.

The issues with THCH are unacceptable, and we are committed to finding a solution that prioritizes our residents' needs. — Councillor Kabir Ahmed

The committee also reviewed the performance of other Registered Providers (RPs) and discussed efforts to improve the customer journey for housing needs, focusing on reducing complexity and improving efficiency.

Licensing Sub Committee

The Licensing Sub Committee on Tuesday focused on various licensing applications and objections. Key discussions included applications for new premises licenses and temporary event notices, with concerns about public safety, potential public nuisance, and land access issues. Decisions on these applications are pending further review.

This week, Tower Hamlets Council has been actively addressing key issues through various meetings, reflecting its dedication to community welfare and effective governance.

Children and Education Scrutiny Sub-Committee

On Thursday, the Children and Education Scrutiny Sub-Committee convened to discuss several important topics, with a particular focus on increasing access to sports and physical activities for women and girls. This meeting highlighted the council's commitment to inclusivity and health.

The committee reviewed the progress of recommendations from a previous scrutiny session on this topic. The recent insourcing of leisure services under the new Be Well brand was a significant point of discussion. The aim is to provide more women-only sessions and activities, addressing the gender gap in physical activity participation. Councillor Iqbal Hussain, the cabinet member for culture and recreation, emphasized the importance of creating a supportive and inclusive environment for women and girls.

Supporting women and girls' access to sports and physical activities remains an important priority because women continue to be less likely to be active than men. — Councillor Iqbal Hussain

The committee also discussed the need for appropriate lighting and safety measures around sports facilities to ensure women feel safe and confident when participating in activities.

Council Meeting

On Wednesday, the Council meeting covered a wide range of topics, from public safety to community engagement. The meeting began with a report from the Chief Executive on new security measures to ensure the safety of council members and the public during meetings. This follows an incident in February that raised concerns about safety.

The council also received a petition opposing the Prevent program, which some community members feel unfairly targets Muslims. The petition called for a series of community meetings to discuss the impact of Prevent and to gather feedback from residents.

We need to make sure that Tower Hamlets Council sets a national example of how a local authority can defend the rights of its community. — Petition Presenter

Additionally, the council debated a motion celebrating the borough's diversity and rejecting recent claims that Tower Hamlets is a no-go area. The motion emphasized the borough's history of welcoming refugees and standing against racism and xenophobia.

This week, Tower Hamlets Council tackled a variety of significant issues across multiple meetings, reflecting its ongoing commitment to enhancing community services and addressing local needs.

Overview & Scrutiny Committee

On Monday, the Overview & Scrutiny Committee convened to discuss several critical community issues. The committee's discussion on the insourcing of leisure provision was particularly noteworthy. Transitioning these services from Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) to in-house management is a strategic move aimed at improving service quality and addressing health inequalities. The council's proactive approach here is evident in its recruitment drive and infrastructure investments, with a goal of achieving operational surplus by the fourth year. Concerns about ensuring adequate female-only sessions and staff were also raised, highlighting the council's attention to inclusivity.

This transition to in-house management of leisure services is not just about financial performance; it's fundamentally about enhancing the quality of service and ensuring it aligns with our community's needs. — Council Member during the meeting

Licensing Sub Committee

The Licensing Sub Committee on Tuesday debated a new premises license application for a venue intended to operate as a cultural hub and nightclub. The discussion was intense, focusing on community concerns about noise and public nuisance. The applicant's amendments to reduce operating hours and the introduction of a traffic management plan were central to the debate. This meeting underscores the council's careful balancing act between fostering cultural development and maintaining community peace.

Cabinet

Significant decisions were made during Wednesday's Cabinet meeting, including the adoption of a new community engagement strategy. This strategy is designed to enhance how the council listens to and involves the community in decision-making. The adoption of recommendations from the Women's Safety Oversight and Scrutiny Committee to enhance women's safety was another critical point, reflecting the council's commitment to creating safer public spaces for women.

By adopting these recommendations, we are taking a strong stand against violence and improving safety across our public spaces, making them more accessible and secure for everyone, especially women. — Council Member during the meeting

Development Committee

On Thursday, the Development Committee approved a planning application for 82 Columbia Road, which includes a single-story rear extension and a new garden entrance. This decision supports local planning policies and the vitality of the Columbia Road neighbourhood centre. Additionally, the committee supported the interim delegation scheme related to the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC), ensuring a smooth transition of planning powers.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee focused on addressing the backlog of local audits and updating risk management strategies. The approval of an updated anti-bribery policy and the internal audit plan for 2024/2025 were key outcomes, aimed at enhancing the council's governance processes and ethical standards.

This week in Tower Hamlets, the council's focus on health and community welfare was prominently displayed during the Tower Hamlets Health and Wellbeing Board meeting on Tuesday, 16 April 2024. The board tackled several critical issues, from mental health to combating loneliness, reflecting a comprehensive approach to enhancing public services and community well-being.

Mental Health Prevention Concordat

The council has decided to join the Mental Health Prevention Concordat, a significant step towards unifying efforts to improve mental health through prevention. This decision is expected to not only streamline existing initiatives but also attract future resources and funding, enhancing the community's overall mental health landscape.

Be Well Program

In a move to align various health prevention efforts, the council supported the development of the Be Well program. This initiative aims to coordinate actions to tackle prevalent health issues such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, potentially improving public health outcomes through a unified prevention strategy.

Just Say Hello Campaign

The endorsement and continuation of the Just Say Hello campaign highlight the council's commitment to combating loneliness, a growing concern post-pandemic. This campaign has been instrumental in fostering community connections and alleviating feelings of isolation among residents.

COVID-19 Booster Update

The council reviewed the status of COVID-19 booster vaccinations, noting a concerning lower uptake among certain demographics, particularly in minority and vulnerable groups. This has prompted plans for targeted communication and outreach efforts to increase vaccination rates and protect public health.

SEND Strategy

The Draft Special Education Needs, Disabilities, and Inclusion Strategy for 2024 to 2029 received approval for further consultation. This strategy represents a comprehensive approach to improving educational outcomes for students with disabilities, emphasizing better coordination and resource allocation.