The Human Resources Committee of Tower Hamlets Council met on Monday 1 September 2025 to discuss a range of HR matters, including an update on senior recruitment, employee relations casework, and savings from early retirement and voluntary redundancy schemes. Key decisions included the approval of extended interim arrangements for senior roles and noting the progress on recruitment across various directorates.

Corporate Directors Update

David Joyce, Corporate Director of Housing and Regeneration, provided an update on his directorate, highlighting the significant population growth in Tower Hamlets and the resulting pressures on housing. He noted that private rents had increased by 8.5% in the last year, with over 29,000 households on the housing register, 44% of whom are overcrowded. Mr. Joyce detailed the council's insourcing of Tower Hamlets Homes in November 2023, bringing approximately 22,000 homes under direct council control. He also outlined recent achievements, including securing GLA funding for 200 permanent homes and completing 1,492 affordable rental homes between April 2022 and May 2025. Challenges facing the directorate include a shortage of homes, increasing homelessness (currently accommodating 3,218 households), and the impact of new legislation such as Awaab's Law and the Renter's Rights Bill. The committee was also informed about the directorate's structure, with 1,036 staff, and its priorities for 2025/26, which include improving housing management, ensuring regulatory compliance, increasing housing supply, and addressing homelessness.

Councillor Abdi Mohamed raised concerns about staff training for Awaab's Law, which is set to come into effect on October 27th. David Joyce confirmed that extensive training is underway for repairs teams and housing officers, emphasizing a cultural shift towards better listening to tenants' concerns. Councillor Meena Ali inquired about the council's approach to repairs, particularly regarding contractors. Mr. Joyce stated that repairs are a significant source of complaints and that the council is strengthening contract management with its seven or eight principal contractors, including Mirrors, to improve performance and responsiveness. He also mentioned that as contracts expire, all options for delivery models will be considered. Councillor Abdal Ullah commented on the importance of a motivated workforce and ensuring that repairs are carried out to a satisfactory standard, noting that this demonstrates the council's care for residents. David Joyce acknowledged the challenges of staff motivation in a high-pressure environment and highlighted the ongoing efforts to build a resident-focused culture, including leadership forums and performance management. He also confirmed that the council is actively building new homes, with several hundred completed and a pipeline of around a thousand more.

Update on Senior Recruitment

Pauline Shakespeare, Interim Head of Corporate Human Resources, presented an update on senior management recruitment. Since the last committee meeting, permanent appointments have been made for the Director of Housing Property and Asset Management (Stephen Platt), Director of Homelessness and Housing Options (Jennifer Winter), and Strategic Director of Change and Improvement (Jonathan Lloyd). Several other posts are currently undergoing recruitment, including Director of Communities, Director of Public Protection and Integrated Enforcement, Director of Regeneration and Development, Director of Corporate Property and Estates, Director of IT, and Director of HR and OD. Interim arrangements are in place for many of these roles, with appointments anticipated in September. The committee's approval was sought to extend the engagement of Mark Norman as Interim Director of Governance until December 31st, 2025. Councillor Abdi Mohamed requested more information on the costs and duration of interim arrangements, which Ms. Shakespeare agreed to provide in future reports.

Employee Relations Casework and Policy Quarterly Review

The committee received an update on employee relations casework for Quarter 1 (April 1 to June 30, 2025). Pauline Shakespeare reported that 100 cases were opened and closed during the quarter, with 61 cases remaining open at the end of June. Grievances constituted the largest proportion of cases (41), followed by disciplinary matters (15). The Communities Directorate had the highest number of cases (46), with 20 grievances and 15 disciplinaries. While cases are still taking too long to close, the number of cases open for over 180 days had fallen marginally. The report also detailed forthcoming legislative changes under the Employment Rights Bill, which will introduce significant changes to worker employment rights, including unfair dismissal rights from day one of employment, easier trade union recognition, and a duty to prevent sexual harassment. Councillor Amina Ali noted that much of the information had already been covered in discussions with David Joyce, and welcomed the progress made.

Update on Savings from ER/VR

Chris Leslie, Corporate Head of Financial Management, provided an update on the Early Retirement (ER) and Voluntary Redundancy (VR) scheme. The council introduced a one-off scheme in 2022-23, which resulted in annual savings of £2.8 million at a cost of £3.2 million, with a payback period of approximately 1.15 years. Since the scheme became a rolling, ongoing program in 2024-25, further costs of £0.6 million have generated £0.9 million in ongoing savings. Overall, the scheme has generated £3.7 million in annual savings with £3.8 million in one-off costs, resulting in a payback period of about one year. Councillor Abdi Mohamed commented that the council is on target with its original savings goals, noting that vacant posts have also contributed to achieving the overall £5 million target.

Any Other Business

The committee was informed that the People Survey report was being presented as a paper for noting, with any detailed discussion requiring a closed session.

The meeting was attended by Councillor Harun Miah (Chair), Councillor Kabir Ahmed (Vice-Chair), Councillor Shafi Ahmed, Councillor Abu Talha Chowdhury, Councillor Abdi Mohamed, Councillor Abdal Ullah, and Councillor Amina Ali. David Joyce (Corporate Director of Housing and Regeneration), Pauline Shakespeare (Interim Head of Corporate Human Resources), and Chris Leslie (Corporate Head of Financial Management) were among the officers present.