This meeting of Tower Hamlets Council included a petition to be debated, a petition to be heard, two motions, the proposed adoption of a new policy and the consideration of reports.

Reject or significantly reduce proposed Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) against dogs

A petition, submitted by residents, dog owners and dog walkers, requesting the rejection, or a significant reduction of the proposed Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) against dogs in Tower Hamlets, was scheduled to be debated.

The petitioners oppose two key measures of the PSPO, mandatory leashing of dogs at all times in public spaces and restriction on the number of dogs a dog walker can handle. The reasons for opposition are detailed within the report, and include the impact on dogs’ well-being, potential loss of community spirit and economic hardship for professional dog walkers.

The petitioners believe:

Existing regulations already address concerns about dog behaviour and safety. Instead of imposing new restrictive measures, we urge the council to enforce current laws more effectively.

They request the council reconsider these aspects of the PSPO and recommend an alternative approach; promoting responsible dog ownership through education and community engagement.

Concerns Over Possible THCH and Hyde Housing Group Merger

Councillor Kabir Hussain was scheduled to move a motion regarding concerns over the possible merger of Tower Hamlets Community Housing (THCH) and Hyde Housing Group. The motion, which was seconded by Councillor Saied Ahmed, notes that residents have raised several concerns about the proposed merger, including a lack of meaningful consultation with residents, dilution of THCH's local focus, concerns about Hyde Housing Group's track record, worries about the financial viability of the merger, the potential exacerbation of existing issues with disrepair and tenant dissatisfaction, and the lack of exploration of alternative solutions.

The motion resolves to engage with the housing associations on the following actions proposed by residents:

• To call on THCH to immediately halt the merger process until further significant consultation with residents, tenants, and key stakeholders is conducted.
• To demand a thorough explanation from THCH as to why Hyde is considered a suitable partner given its record of maladministration.
• To request a report on whether Hyde has the financial capacity to absorb THCH and invest in the necessary repairs.
• To urge both THCH and Hyde to outline immediate actions to address existing disrepair, safety issues, and tenant dissatisfaction, setting clear targets for improvement prior to any merger.
• To ensure that THCH explores and evaluates alternative solutions.

The motion calls on the CEO of THCH to appear at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and asks whether the Mayor or Councillor Kabir Ahmed have met with Anita Khan, the CEO of THCH, or the CEO of Hyde Housing Group.

Empowering SEND Children and Young Adults

Councillor Gulam Kibria Choudhury was scheduled to move a motion on empowering SEND¹ Children and Young Adults in Tower Hamlets, which was seconded by Councillor Saied Ahmed.

SEND means Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

The motion notes:

That Tower Hamlets had the highest percentage of pupils on an Education, Health, and Care (EHC) plans in London, with 6.8% of TH pupils having an EHC plan.

It goes on to express concern about the over-representation of children from certain ethnicities with particular SEND needs, and about the health inequalities SEND children and their families face.

The motion resolves to:

• Seek to fund free swimming sessions for SEND children and young adults.
• Look to extend daycare and respite services for SEND young adults up to the age of 30.
• Invest in more SEND and transitional care plans, with psychologists involved in the assessment process.
• Increase investment in SEND Challenging Behaviour Specialist and Speech and Language Therapists.
• Discuss the required investment at the next available Cabinet meeting.

Motion to Remove and Reappoint the Chairs of Committees

Councillor Asma Islam was scheduled to move a motion, seconded by Councillor Amy Lee, that would remove all chairpersons of council committees from their posts, and that new committee chairs be immediately elected to fill the vacant positions.

Issue with the dock side path on the Isle of Dogs

A petition, submitted by residents of the Isle of Dogs, was scheduled to be heard.

The petition highlighted the decline in the quality of the dockside path due to several factors including:

Rubbish also ends up in the water which makes the whole area look dirty and is also an issue for the birds and fish.

It goes on to note that:

Most of the dockside path and the bridge is the responsibility of the Canal & River Trust, a national charity, responsible for the upkeep of the docks but it has seen its budget cut in recent years.

The petition requests that the council work with Canal & River Trust to improve the maintenance of the dockside path, and that they spend money generated on the Isle of Dogs on fixing the path and improving public safety.

The Housing Times

A petition was scheduled to be heard that called on the Council to:

provide more Social Housing for residents.

Pensioner Health Through Eating and Meeting

Councillor Maium Talukdar was scheduled to move a motion, seconded by Councillor Kabir Ahmed, on Pensioner Health Through Eating and Meeting.

The motion, noting that

pensioner poverty in Tower Hamlets remains a critical issue with many older residents struggling to afford basic needs like heating, food supplies and other essentials, particularly during winter

calls for the reintroduction of the meals on wheels scheme, the reintroduction of luncheon clubs, the continued promotion of the council’s Winter Fuel Payment Scheme, and the launch of a borough-wide campaign to promote healthy eating and social inclusion for pensioners and vulnerable residents.

Motion for Debate to Adopt the Migrant Care Workers’ Charter

Councillor Amy Lee was scheduled to move a motion, seconded by Councillor Asma Islam, on the adoption of the Migrant Care Workers’ Charter.

The motion notes that:

since the introduction of the Health and Care Worker Visa, there has been a marked increase in reports of modern slavery and exploitation of migrant care workers within the sector, including issues such as excessive recruitment fees, debt bondage, withheld wages, and poor working conditions.

The motion calls for:

• Tower Hamlets Council to sign the Migrant Care Workers’ Charter and adopt its commitments.
• All contracted care providers and agencies to adhere to the principles of the charter.
• A dedicated oversight officer to be appointed to monitor compliance with the charter.
• The Council to work in partnership with trade unions to support migrant care workers.
• The Council to apply for a licence to sponsor migrant care workers.
• The launch of an information campaign within the care sector to educate both employers and workers on their rights and responsibilities under the charter.

Cumulative Impact Assessment Policy 2024 - 2027

The council was scheduled to be asked to agree the adoption of a new Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) policy for the next 3 years.

CIAs are:

special policies relating to cumulative impact within defined areas.

The report, noting that:

Tower Hamlets Council is defined as a Licensing Authority under the Licensing Act 2003. As a Licensing Authority we must review our Cumulative Impact Assessments every 3 years and publish the outcome of that review.

recommends retaining and expanding the existing CIA in Brick Lane and removing the existing CIA in Bethnal Green. It states that there will be a 2 day period in which no CIA will be in effect.

Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report - Tower Hamlets Response

The council was scheduled to be asked to note the findings and recommendations of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report.

The report notes that the Inquiry makes recommendations to several groups, including:

Government, fire services, house builders, housing providers, local authorities and professional bodies.

The report lists the recommendations made directly to local authorities and summarises the actions taken by Tower Hamlets to date.

The council was also scheduled to be asked to note the development of a partnership position statement setting out the strategic commitment to implementing the recommendations, to be prepared with partners and reported to Cabinet by March 2025.

Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy 2024/25

The council was scheduled to be asked to approve the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy for 2024/25.

The report, noting that:

the government introduced flexibility to use capital receipts from the disposal of property, plant and equipment assets to fund the revenue cost of service reform

proposes to use the flexibility to fund two projects:

• Care Technology Transformation
• Early Redundancy / Voluntary Redundancy Scheme

ER/VR - Approval of Exit Payments

The council was scheduled to be asked to approve the early retirement and voluntary redundancy exit packages of staff whose exit packages exceeded £100,000. The report notes that the approval is required under section 40 of the Localism Act 2011.

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

The council was scheduled to be asked to note that the recent change in the composition of the council has not changed the proportionality calculation.

The report notes that:

Two changes have occurred since the last meeting with Ungrouped Councillor Sabina Akhtar joining the Aspire Group and Councillor Jahed Choudhury leaving the Aspire Group and becoming an Ungrouped Councillor.

Constitution Update - Construction Procurement

The council was scheduled to be asked to agree to an addition to the Contract Procurement rules in Part C of the council’s constitution.

The report, noting that:

The Council is currently introducing a new procurement route in respect of Construction and Facilities Management related contracts. This will be through use of a new online facility called ‘Constructionline’.

states that the purpose of the change is to:

improve procurement efficiency, avoid duplication and reduce cost through the supplier prequalification process.

Members' Questions

Twenty-eight questions, submitted by members of the council, were listed on the agenda for response by the Mayor. These included requests for updates on several topics, including the Best Value Inspection, the surety and sustainability of the council's finances, the housing crisis, the progress in signing off historical accounts, the two-council culture, health inequalities, the current state of public spaces and green spaces in the borough, the placement of a drugs treatment centre above a nursery in Wapping, the council's use of resources, the support provided to schools, youth services and SEND children and young adults, the Housing Taskforce, the rebuild of George Green’s Secondary School, homelessness, the HAP regeneration project, waste collection, road safety, crime rates, fly-tipping, housing conditions and the issue of abandoned Lime bikes.