The Cabinet of Tower Hamlets Council met on Wednesday 28 July 2021 to discuss a range of important issues, including annual safeguarding reports, significant planning documents, and the council's financial outturn. Key decisions included the approval of several Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) aimed at guiding future development and the adoption of annual reports from the Safeguarding Adults Board, Safeguarding Children's Partnership, and the SEND Improvement Board.

Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report

The Cabinet formally noted the annual report of the Safeguarding Adults Board, welcoming its new Chair, Fran Pearson. The report details the board's work over the past year, highlighting effective partnership working and a commitment to continuous improvement in protecting vulnerable adults. Councillor Rachel Blake, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing, emphasised the importance of the board as a reflective space for partner agencies to identify areas for improvement. Fran Pearson expressed her commitment to leveraging the council's corporate structure and community co-production initiatives to enhance safeguarding efforts. The board also noted a joint priority with the Safeguarding Children's Partnership concerning exploitation.

Tower Hamlets Safeguarding Children's Partnership Annual Report 2020-21

The annual report of the Tower Hamlets Safeguarding Children's Partnership was presented and noted by the Cabinet. The report reflects the maturing of multi-agency arrangements and a strong focus on delivering collaborative work to protect children and young people. James Thomas, Corporate Director for Children and Culture, highlighted that despite the pressures of the pandemic, partnership working had strengthened, leading to positive outcomes. He noted that the number of children subject to protection plans and in care remained low relative to the borough's population and deprivation levels, attributing this to effective family support. The report also detailed progress in amplifying the voices of young people and strengthening joint work with the Safeguarding Adults Board, particularly on exploitation. Marcus Barnish, representing the police, detailed improvements in learning systems and multi-agency practices, including a more systematic approach to implementing learning and the establishment of rapid reviews and local child safeguarding practice reviews. Chetan Vyas from the CCG outlined the partnership's priorities for 2021-22, including domestic abuse, online safety, and a joint priority with the Safeguarding Adults Board on violence, vulnerability, and exploitation. Keith Makin, the Independent Scrutineer, commended the partnership's progress and commitment, noting that the borough is very well placed indeed.

SEND Improvement Board Annual Report 2020

The Cabinet noted the SEND Improvement Board's Annual Report for 2020, which summarises progress made in 2021 and outlines priorities for the 2021-22 year. The report details efforts to strengthen the improvement board, refresh the improvement plan, and enhance co-production with parents, carers, children, and young people. Key developments include the redesign of the SEND dashboard, the continued remote operation of the Young People's Forum (Our Time), and the redesign of the local offer website. The report also highlights high engagement levels for vision and hearing screenings for four to five-year-olds and the implementation of a recovery plan to address EHCP timeliness and quality. Steve Nyakatawa, Director of Education, noted that priorities may be refocused following the upcoming publication of the local area inspection report by Ofsted and the CQC. Councillor Rachel Blake, Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing, added that the Health and Wellbeing Board has been actively involved in scrutinising the SEND Improvement Plan, focusing on improving timeliness and referral pathways.

South Poplar Master Plan SPD

The Cabinet approved the South Poplar Master Plan Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for adoption. This document aims to guide development across three major sites in the Poplar area, with a vision for a strong focus on affordable housing, sustainable community offerings, good public spaces, and employment opportunities. Councillor Eve McQuillan, Lead Member for Planning and Social Inclusion, highlighted the plan's focus on maintaining the quality and heritage of the existing community, improving connections for cycling and walking, and creating a pleasant green environment. The plan targets 50% affordable housing on publicly owned sites. Councillor Peter Golds, Leader of the Opposition, raised concerns about green spaces and trees, and also inquired about the progress of the Billingsgate market's potential relocation to Dagenham. Mayor John Biggs provided an update on the Billingsgate site, explaining the complex ownership arrangements and the ongoing discussions with the City of London.

Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) Campus SPD

The Cabinet approved the Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) Campus Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for adoption. This SPD aims to facilitate the university's development plans while improving campus accessibility, enhancing access to and protection of heritage on the site, and promoting environmental strategies such as reducing car use. Councillor Eve McQuillan stated that the SPD seeks to make the campus feel more integrated with the community and encourage residents to utilise its resources. The document also includes strategies for environmental improvements, new connections to Meath Gardens, and canal access.

Central Area Good Growth SPD

The Cabinet approved the Central Area Good Growth Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for adoption. This SPD supports housing development in the central area of the borough, encompassing areas like Bethnal Green, Stepney, and Bow. It anticipates that 14% of the borough's housing development between now and 2031 will occur in this area, equating to over 7,500 homes. The SPD aims to facilitate development on smaller sites by clarifying planning requirements and categorising sites into reinforcement, mediation, and reinvention zones to guide density and housing delivery.

Waste and Recycling SPD

The Cabinet approved the Waste and Recycling Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for adoption. This SPD provides guidance to developers on waste infrastructure requirements for larger developments, working in conjunction with the Waste Service. It also addresses behavioural aspects, encouraging residents to recycle and dispose of rubbish responsibly. The document outlines requirements for underground bin stores, occupier separation, deposit points, communal bin stores, and vehicle access, and includes a 10-step checklist for occupation. Councillor Peter Golds raised concerns about the effectiveness of URS (Underground Refuse Systems) collections, questioning whether the council should continue to recommend them. Dan Jones, from the Waste Service, explained that current issues are operational, relating to vehicle breakdowns, and that the council is purchasing more vehicles to address this. Councillor Asma Islam, Cabinet Member for Environment and Public Realm, added that the alternative to URS systems would be above-ground bin stores, which present significant space challenges in dense developments.

Service Action Plan: Environmental Scrutiny Challenge Session on Recycling Behaviour Change

The Cabinet agreed the recommendations of the Service Action Plan stemming from an Environmental Scrutiny Challenge Session focused on influencing residents' behaviour to boost recycling rates. Councillor Asma Islam reported that most of the recommended actions are completed or on target, including the waste and recycling SPD, which was approved earlier in the meeting. Other actions include identifying contamination hotspots, rolling out a recycling in flats programme, developing a communication plan, exploring partnerships with the voluntary and community sector (VCS), and piloting food waste collection. School engagement programmes are also set to launch.

Lease at Sonali Gardens and Peabody Trust Services at the Sundial Centre

The Cabinet approved entering into a new lease for a building at Sonali Gardens to ensure the continuity of day support services beyond March 2022. This decision is a key decision due to the anticipated revenue expenditure exceeding £1 million over the lease's potential 50-year term. Additionally, the Cabinet granted permission to directly award a contract to Peabody Trust for improved or reconfigured provision at the Sundial Centre. This exemption from tendering is due to Peabody Trust owning the building and their preference for continuing to provide services there. The council expressed satisfaction with Peabody Trust's previous service quality and confidence in ongoing contract management.

Nomination to Autistic Spectrum Condition Provision at Hermitage Primary School

The Cabinet endorsed the proposed changes to Hermitage Primary School to establish integrated specialist provision for children with Autistic Spectrum Conditions (ASC). This decision aligns with the council's SEND strategy and aims to address the insufficient number of primary-age places for children with ASC within the borough. The provision will allow children to work within the mainstream school while receiving additional support. The move is expected to keep children within their local communities and reduce costs associated with out-of-borough placements. The demand for ASC provision has increased significantly, with the number of children with ASC rising from 9% in 2017 to 12.8% in 2020. The unit will accommodate up to 12 pupils.

Provisional Outturn Report 2020-21

Councillor Candida Ronald, Cabinet Member for Resources and the Voluntary Sector, presented the Provisional Outturn Report for 2020-21, highlighting a better-than-expected financial position with a small underspend on the general fund. However, she cautioned that significant work is needed to control expenditure in the current year. The report detailed the impact of government COVID-19 grants and the complexities of the collection fund, including a substantial deficit on business rates. Councillor Peter Golds questioned the council's financial management and the impact of COVID funding on reserves. Kevin Bartle, Interim Corporate Director of Resources and Section 151 Officer, provided detailed explanations regarding the council's financial figures, including interest earned and paid, the concept of internal borrowing, and the breakdown of usable reserves.

Contract Support Plan Quarter One

The Cabinet noted the Contract Support Plan for Quarter One, which outlines planned new contracts with a total value of up to £184.2 million for the general fund, along with grant-funded, HRA-funded, capital-funded, reserves, and pension-funded contracts. The Procurement Forward Plan for 2021-2025 was also presented.

Nominations to Seahorse Homes and London Housing Consortium

The Cabinet approved nominations for officers to represent the council on external bodies. Warwick Tomsett was nominated to Seahorse Homes, and Councillor Danny Hassell was nominated to the London Housing Consortium.