The Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on Monday 1 March 2021 focused on the council's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, its strategic performance delivery, budget monitoring, and community safety. Key decisions included the approval of the Community Safety Partnership Plan, with a commitment to further investigation into specific areas of concern.

COVID-19 Update

Dr. Shoman Banerjee, Director of Public Health, provided an update on the COVID-19 situation in Tower Hamlets. Case numbers had significantly decreased since January, with weekly cases around 170-180 compared to 1,875 previously. However, the weekly case rate remained at 50 per 100,000, which is still considered high. Cases were highest among 25-34 year olds and 55-64 year olds, with Poplar, Bromley-By-Bow, and Shadwell experiencing the highest levels. Disparities by ethnicity persisted, with particularly high rates in Black African and Bangladeshi populations.

The vaccination programme had seen 40,000 Tower Hamlets residents receive at least their first dose. Uptake varied by ethnicity, with 87% of the white population vaccinated compared to 76% of the South Asian population and 62% of the Black population. Uptake also varied geographically, with lower rates in the northwest of the borough. Efforts were underway to address these disparities, including a helpline and community-based vaccination clinics at locations like the London Muslim Centre and Granby Hall.

Lateral flow testing was being prioritised, particularly for schools, with children receiving tests to familiarise them with self-administration. The council was also expanding home testing availability and supporting workplaces with testing programmes. The roadmap out of lockdown was outlined, with key dates for the reopening of schools, outdoor hospitality, and the lifting of social contact limitations.

Questions from councillors focused on geographical variations in vaccination uptake, disparities in COVID-19 impact on ethnic groups, and plans for vaccination during Ramadan. Concerns were also raised about the utilisation of GP services for vaccinations and the registration of asylum seekers. The longer-term public health impacts of COVID-19, including long COVID, and the psychological impact on those hospitalised were also discussed. The safety of upcoming elections, including the London mayoral referendum and a local referendum in Tower Hamlets, was also a point of discussion.

Strategic Performance Delivery

Mayor John Biggs, along with Will Tuckley, Chief Executive, and Thorsten Dreyer, Head of Intelligence and Performance, presented the third quarter update on the Strategic Delivery Plan, covering October to December 2020. The plan had been revised in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, which had impacted performance in areas such as getting people into jobs due to reduced recruitment.

The report indicated that 15 targets were green (on track), eight were amber (requiring attention), and 13 were red (not on track). Challenges were noted in areas such as affordable homes completions and school attendance. The committee discussed the performance of the WorkPath service, which helps people into employment, and acknowledged that it was not meeting targets. The council is working on an improvement programme for WorkPath and will reassess its strategy later in the year.

Concerns were also raised about declining recycling rates, which had fallen from 23.2% in 2018-19 to 19.9% in 2020-21. This decline was noted as systemic even before the pandemic. The council is exploring ways to improve recycling, including simplifying the process for residents in social housing estates. Issues with public realm cleanliness and litter were also discussed, with high usage of parks and open spaces cited as a contributing factor, alongside staff sickness.

Budget Monitoring Report

Councillor Candida Ronald, Cabinet Member for Resources and the Voluntary Sector, and Kevin Bartle, Interim Corporate Director for Resources and Finance, presented the Budget Monitoring Report for period nine (up to 31 December 2020). The general fund forecast showed a net overspend of £2.9 million, with the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) forecast to overspend by £0.1 million, bringing the cumulative deficit to £11.2 million. The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) was forecast to underspend by £1.5 million.

Directorates forecasting overspends included Children's (£1.3 million) and Health, Adults and Community (£3.7 million), primarily due to adult social care costs. Underspends were noted in Place (£4.1 million) and Governance (£2.9 million), largely attributed to COVID-19 impacts and not expected to be replicable. Business rates and council tax collection rates were lower than the previous year. The council was expecting to deliver £11.7 million of its £21 million savings target for the year.

Unallocated COVID-19 funding of £7.5 million was noted, which had been transferred to reserves and would be released for spending in the new financial year. The report highlighted uncertainties regarding the council's underlying revenue position and the economic health of the borough post-pandemic.

Discussions focused on the underspend in governance, the council's ability to manage its budget and improve predictions, and the performance of the legal services and registration service modernisation. Concerns were raised about the HRA capital programme monitoring and the associated risks, as well as the overspend in temporary accommodation costs within the HRA, which was attributed to the Resources directorate despite decisions being made elsewhere. The council is looking to align decision-making with budget responsibility.

Community Safety Partnership Plan

Councillor Cyril Islam, Deputy Mayor for Community Safety, Faith and Equalities, presented the Community Safety Partnership Plan, which builds on the previous plan expiring in March 2021. The plan, developed through extensive consultation with partners, residents, and young people, prioritises tackling neighbourhood crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB), hate crime, community tension, extremism, reducing re-offending, and violence reduction.

Key concerns raised by residents included visible drug dealing and taking, noise nuisance, rough sleeping, and the exploitation of young people. The plan aims to address these issues by focusing on underlying drivers such as drugs, mental health, and social integration. The plan also incorporates volume crime priorities set by the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC), including personal robbery, burglary, and ASB.

Questions from councillors addressed the inclusion of Tower Hamlets Homes' security patrols, the interpretation of increased ASB reporting, and the lack of specific targets for neighbourhood crime and ASB. The role of police and housing teams in responding to ASB and the process for obtaining closure orders were also discussed. The introduction of a borough-wide Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to tackle nitrous oxide canisters was highlighted, with a high level of resident support. The importance of protective security measures was also raised.

Challenge Session Reports

Councillor Leema Qureshi presented a summary of her challenge session report on the five-year vision, focusing on its impact on finance and resources. Key findings included the potential impact on children and young people losing study and social spaces, and the challenges faced by families with young children due to overcrowded home environments and irregular education. The report recommended that the council revisit its funding support, explore the use of the New Homes Bonus to offset savings, and strengthen income generation and commercialisation of its idea stores and library services. The committee agreed to sign off the report, subject to ensuring James Wilson was included in the list of attendees.

Councillor Bex White presented her challenge session report on increasing recycling rates in the borough. The session explored how the council uses best practice and data to inform its approach. The report made a series of recommendations, which the committee agreed to sign off.

Pre-Decision Questions

Councillor Faroque Ahmed raised a point regarding Tower Rewards, requesting a breakdown of its impact across services. This was noted and will be included in pre-decision scrutiny questions.