The Cabinet of Tower Hamlets Council met on Wednesday 27 February 2019 to discuss a range of important issues, including the potential creation of a parish council for Spitalfields and Banglatown, the determination of school admission arrangements, and the adoption of a new graffiti and street art policy. The meeting also covered the council's waste management strategy, the future delivery of contract services, the disposal of council property, and the Local Implementation Plan for transport.

Proposal for a Spitalfields and Banglatown Parish Council

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the potential creation of a parish council for the Spitalfields and Banglatown area. This followed a petition from local residents and a community governance review. The council is proposing a second stage of consultation to explore three boundary options for the parish, as well as other forms of local governance. The proposed name for the parish council is Spitalfields and Banglatown . The consultation period for this second stage is planned to be 12 weeks, running from March to May, with a final report to be presented to the full council in July.

During the discussion, James Frankham, a coordinator for the town council campaign, presented the petitioners' views. He highlighted that online responses showed majority support for the parish council, but noted that paper forms handed in by campaigners against the proposal skewed the results. Mr. Frankham also proposed simplifying the consultation to one parish option, encompassing areas A, B, and C on the council's map, which he believes represents the diversity of identities in the area. He also suggested a period of neutral information followed by a local referendum to encourage greater engagement. Santok Calder, also involved in the campaign, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of local governance for Spitalfields and Banglatown.

Councillor Andrew Wood spoke in favour of parish councils, citing examples from other Labour-controlled authorities and quoting statements from Labour politicians advocating for devolved power. He also expressed disappointment that responses from outside Tower Hamlets were given equal weight to those from within the borough.

Will Tuckley, the Chief Executive, explained that the council has an obligation to consider all views presented, regardless of the method of submission. He also noted that while the evidence from the first stage of consultation suggested a lack of support for a parish council at that point, it was not conclusive, hence the decision to proceed with further consultation. He also addressed the point about a referendum, stating that it would be difficult to justify based on the evidence from Stage 1.

Councillor David Edgar, the lead member for the graffiti and street art policy, also commented on the potential for apprenticeship opportunities within the street environment teams. Councillor Rachel Blake highlighted the importance of a partnership approach with other landowners, such as Network Rail and TfL, in delivering the graffiti removal policy.

Councillor Denise Jones declared an interest in the graffiti and street art policy due to her business on Brick Lane, noting that street art contributes positively to the local economy and attracts tourists. Councillor Amina Ali echoed these sentiments, praising the report's consideration of street art.

Councillor Motin Uz-Zaman inquired about apprenticeship opportunities related to graffiti removal, and Councillor Blake emphasized the importance of a partnership approach with other landowners. Mayor John Biggs also raised concerns about offensive graffiti on listed buildings and the potential for planning guidance to help graffiti-proof buildings.

School Admission Arrangements

The Cabinet agreed to the annual determination of school admission arrangements for community schools. For most schools, the oversubscription criteria and admission coordination schemes remain unchanged. However, there are changes to the admissions criteria for community nursery schools to align them with primary and secondary schools, prioritising staff members after siblings. Planned admission numbers are also being reduced for Elizabeth Selby Infants and Lordale Juniors from 75 to 60 places per year, and for Bow School by one form of entry, reflecting projected demand. The report also updated on school place planning, recommending the Mill Harbour primary site over the Alfred Grove site. Councillor Rachel Blake proposed amendments to paragraph 3.35 of the report to clarify the rationale for allocating more school sites than currently required.

Graffiti and Street Art Policy

A new graffiti and street art policy was adopted, aiming to address the growing problem of graffiti in the borough. The policy clarifies the council's legal powers, outlines how graffiti removal services will be improved in partnership with Veolia, and details the use of a £450,000 budget to establish four additional graffiti removal teams. The policy also distinguishes between graffiti and street art, recognising the artistic and cultural value of the latter. Councillor Denise Jones highlighted the positive impact of street art on the local economy and tourism, while Councillor Amina Ali commended the report's nuanced approach to street art. Councillor Motin Uz-Zaman suggested exploring apprenticeship opportunities within the street environment teams, and Councillor Rachel Blake emphasised the need for a partnership approach with other landowners.

Waste Management Strategy

The Cabinet approved the Waste Management Strategy for 2018-2030, which sets out six priorities for managing waste in the borough. The strategy acknowledges the challenges of a growing population, increasing business numbers, and a high proportion of households living in flats, all within a context of decreasing funding. Key themes include behaviour change, collaboration with businesses and organisations, and the promotion of a circular economy, focusing on recycling, reuse, and refurbishment of products. Councillor Andrew Wood raised concerns about the lack of information regarding the transition of the waste service to an in-house provider, which Councillor David Edgar acknowledged as a potential risk but deemed extraneous to the strategy itself. Councillor Rachel Blake praised the strategy's focus on collaboration and its ambition in addressing the nappy challenge.

Future Delivery of Contract Services

Recommendations were made regarding the future delivery of contract services, which are currently facing a £1.4 million deficit. The report proposes measures to protect the primary school meal service, ensuring its continued provision of high-quality and good-value meals. However, the service's design is not meeting the needs of secondary schools, which have a cumulative deficit of £600,000. The council will explore options for secondary schools, which may include alternative providers or arrangements where schools manage their own contracts. Councillor Danny Hassell explained that the reduction from a gold standard to a silver standard for school meals, while maintaining core accreditation, would save over £300,000. Councillor Wood expressed disappointment that the report did not include options for collaboration with neighbouring boroughs, such as Newham, to achieve economies of scale. Ronke Martins-Taylor, who led the review, confirmed ongoing engagement with East London local authorities regarding food procurement and future service delivery. Jenny Pittam, who operates the service, noted that Newham has privatised its service, unlike Birmingham's in-house model, which Tower Hamlets aims to retain.

Disposal of Property and Lease Renewal

The Cabinet agreed to the disposal of 34 Mount Terrace, described as a dilapidated building that would require significant investment to convert into two flats. The council plans to reinvest the proceeds from the sale to secure additional social housing of better quality and lower maintenance costs. The lease renewal for 17 to 19 Brick Lane was also approved, with the decision coming to Cabinet due to the rent exceeding delegated authority limits.

Local Implementation Plan (LIP) for Transport

The Local Implementation Plan (LIP) for transport was approved, outlining the council's strategy for delivering the Mayor of London's transport strategy over the next 10 to 20 years. The plan details how the council intends to spend its £2.2 million allocation for LIP work over the next year. Key themes include Love Your Neighbourhood schemes to improve residential areas, the implementation of 50 school streets over three years to enhance safety and reduce pollution around schools, and the expansion of cycle parking facilities, including a significant facility at Whitechapel Station. Councillor David Edgar announced the success of a £3.5 million Liveable Neighbourhood bid for Bow, funded by Transport for London.

Quarterly Performance and Improvement Monitoring

The quarterly performance and improvement monitoring report was presented, indicating steady progress in various areas, including children's services and cleanliness. However, challenges remain in areas such as recycling, crime, and anti-social behaviour. The report uses a RAG status (Red, Amber, Green) to flag performance, with 17 performance indicators meeting or exceeding targets, five exceeding minimum expectations, and 15 falling short. Mayor John Biggs highlighted the ongoing efforts to address underperformance through targeted resource allocation and partnership working with the police.

Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring

The Quarter 3 Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring Report for 2018-19 was presented, forecasting an overspend of £500,000 on the general fund. Significant pressures include unachievable savings in the early years budget, staffing costs in children's social care, and looked-after children placements. The dedicated schools grant is also forecasting an overspend of £4.6 million. The capital budget projects a slippage of £28.2 million, which will be carried into future years. Councillor Candida Ronald noted that while the pension fund has underperformed its benchmark, the position has slightly improved since December, with projections for a balanced budget for the year. The report also mentioned the decision to close local authority day nurseries as a painful but necessary measure to address budget overspends.