The Cabinet of Tower Hamlets Council met on Wednesday 21 February 2024, approving plans for school admissions and a significant expansion of Beatrice Tate School. The meeting also reviewed progress on the Reduction and Recycling Plan, with discussions focusing on strategies to improve recycling rates across the borough.

Planning for School Places and Admissions

The Cabinet reviewed and noted the annual planning for school places for 2024/25, acknowledging the factors influencing pupil population changes and the projected demand for school places. This included an update on the provision of places for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

In a separate but related decision, the Cabinet agreed the Local Authority's school admission arrangements for 2025/26. This includes a change to Year 7 admissions, introducing a new testing method for schools that use people ability banding. Councillor Maium Talukdar, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Education, Youth and Lifelong Learning, highlighted the need for improved public engagement in future consultation exercises to ensure greater parental and school involvement. The proposed arrangements were met with positive feedback during the public consultation.

Beatrice Tate School Expansion

A significant decision was made regarding the Beatrice Tate School expansion at 41 Southern Grove, London E3 4PX. The Cabinet approved an increase in the budget for the permanent extension from £4,050,000 to £6,498,047. This expansion aims to provide additional places for disabled pupils. The contract for the construction of the extension was awarded to Alexander James Limited for a sum of £5,503,122. Mayor Lutfur Rahman and Cabinet members welcomed the proposals, recognising their importance in providing much-needed educational facilities.

Reduction and Recycling Plan Progress

The Cabinet received a progress report on the Reduction and Recycling Plan (RRP) for Quarter 3 of 2023. Councillor Kabir Hussain, Cabinet Member for Environment and the Climate Emergency, presented the report, which outlines the progress made in implementing the RRP 2023-2025. Discussions focused on strategies to reverse a slight decline in the recycling rate and improve overall performance.

Several potential solutions and areas for focus were discussed, including:

• Prioritising quick wins to utilise additional investment planned for the 2024/25 budget.
• Continuing engagement with partners such as schools and faith groups to promote positive recycling behaviours, with a recognition of the influential role young people play.
• Increasing outreach through BAME media outlets.
• Addressing garden waste collection opt-ins and exploring options for ground floor flat collections.
• Improving the Council's online waste and recycling information.
• Enhancing collaboration between the Council and front-line estate services, such as caretakers.
• Exploring incentivisation or reward schemes.
• Utilising recycling champions.
• Developing food redistribution schemes, potentially using app-based technology.
• Strengthening partnerships with housing associations and Registered Social Landlords (RSLs), leveraging the Tower Hamlets Housing Forum (THHF).

Simon Baxter, Corporate Director Communities, highlighted the unique challenges faced by the borough in recycling and indicated that a letter would be drafted to the Secretary of State to highlight these issues and request government consideration for statutory instruments requiring landlords to provide recycling infrastructure. He also noted that bylaws could be considered if these efforts were unsuccessful. Mayor Lutfur Rahman emphasised that the cleanliness of the borough is a key priority for his administration and expressed optimism that the action plan and additional investment would lead to swift improvements in recycling rates.

Council Transformation

Stephen Halsey, Chief Executive, announced that the Council's transformation efforts were progressing well, with the Council being shortlisted for three Local Government Chronicle (LGC) awards. He also reported that the Transformation Advisory Board (TAB) had met to review the proposed Action Plan following a recent LGA Peer Review report.