The Overview & Scrutiny Committee (OSC) of Tower Hamlets Council met on 15 September 2025, to discuss the Youth Justice Strategic Plan, the council's gambling policy, budget monitoring, and the committee's work programme. The committee agreed to endorse the Youth Justice Strategic Plan 2025-2028 and recommend the adoption of the revised Statement of Gambling Policy to the full council. They also reviewed the budget monitoring report for the first quarter of 2025-26 and discussed the overview and scrutiny work programme for 2025-26, agreeing to a compromise to allow for future amendments.

• Youth Justice Strategic Plan 2025-2028 The committee endorsed the Youth Justice Strategic Plan 2025-2028, which outlines the priorities and goals of the Youth Justice Executive Board. Susannah Beasley-Murray, Director of Supporting Families, introduced the item, noting that the plan showcases the progress made and presents a forward-looking strategy to support the Youth Justice Partnership. Kelly Duggan, Head of Service of Youth Justice and Partnerships, presented an overview of the plan, highlighting four key priorities: child first, consistently good practice, culture, identity and community, and strength in partnerships. The plan includes feedback from young people who have received support from the Youth Justice Service.

Councillor Abdul Wahid, Chair of Overview & Scrutiny Committee, questioned how inclusive the service is, and how it benchmarks its inclusivity against other boroughs. Duggan responded that the service is heavily involved with the head service forum in London and uses Base Camp, a Youth Justice Board (YJB) resource, to share best practice with other boroughs. She added that the service treats each child as an individual and provides access to resources regardless of their level of criminal justice intervention.

Councillor Abdi Mohamed asked about the service's work with adult services to support young people aged 18-25. Duggan explained that the service has strong links with the probation service and a seconded probation officer. She also noted that the brain isn't fully developed until 25, and that she would like to see the law changed to allow the service to work with young people up to 21 or 25.

Councillor Gulam Kibria Choudhury, Chair of the Health & Adults Scrutiny Sub-Committee, asked what the service is doing to address the over-representation of children from mixed ethnic backgrounds. Duggan responded that the service works closely with WIPERS, an organisation that provides targeted interventions for boys from the global majority¹. She added that the service challenges disproportionality through research and thematic audits.

Councillor Ahmodur Khan asked what steps the youth service takes to ensure it is inclusive and how young people can have a say in the service. Duggan explained that every child's assessment is co-produced with the child, and that the service has a dedicated girls program and listens to children's feedback.

Councillor Kabir Hussain asked about re-offending data. Duggan clarified that the most up-to-date re-offending rate is 25%, and that the service is trying to develop its own re-offending tracker.

• Statutory Review of the Council's Gambling Policy The committee recommended the adoption of the revised Statement of Gambling Policy to the full council and agreed that the current 'no casino' resolution should remain in the policy. Tom Lewis, Head of Regulatory Services, introduced the item, explaining that the policy is a legal requirement and sets out how the council will exercise its responsibilities under the Gambling Act 2005². He noted that the consultation received few responses, likely because there is limited scope to make changes to the policy.

Councillor James King asked about measures to protect people with protected characteristics, as referenced in the 2005 Gambling Act. Lewis responded that there is no provision within the policy or legislation to do this, but that the council has put requirements into its planning policy to reduce betting shops in deprived areas.

Councillor Kabir Hussain asked why the council has not taken the opportunity to propose stronger restrictions in deprived areas. Lewis explained that there is limited scope to restrict gambling premises, and that the council relies on objections to applications.

Councillor Abdi Mohamed asked how the consultation was done and how equalities considerations were taken into account. Lewis responded that the consultation went out to statutory partners, SNTs, residents associations and the Council of Mosques. He added that the policy is set by the government and the Gambling Commission, and that there is very little scope to make changes.

Councillor Doel asked what help is available for people with gambling addictions. Lewis responded that the government and Gambling Commission are stringent on promoting help for gambling harms, and that license holders are required to have policies and procedures in place to promote this.

Councillor Asma Islam asked about enforcement. Lewis stated that the licensing team had completed compliance visits to all gambling premises this year, and that the council focuses on prosecuting illegal gambling.

• Budget Monitoring 2025-26 Q1 The committee reviewed the budget monitoring report for the first quarter of 2025-26. Councillor Saied Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Resources and the Cost of Living, introduced the item, noting that the council is forecasting a £14.7 million net general fund overspend after agreed management actions and funding substitutions. Abdulrazak Kassim, acting Corporate Director of Resources, added that many London boroughs are facing similar financial pressures.

Councillor James King asked why the budget for the mayor's office has increased by £300,000 in the first quarter. Chris Leslie, Head of Corporate Finance Management, responded that this is due to savings targets and agency staffing costs.

Councillor King also asked about the overspend in tech saving initiatives. Georgia Chimbani, Corporate Director Health Adult Social Care, responded that this is due to capacity issues and a need to develop a more ambitious plan for care technology.

Councillor Abdi Mohamed asked what is being done to address the SEND transport and staffing pressures. Chimbani responded that the council is looking at having a SEND panel to scrutinise spending, promoting personal travel budgets, and independent travel training.

Councillor Gulam Kibria Choudhury asked how demand is being managed in adult social care to prevent further overspending. Chimbani responded that the council is working on prevention initiatives and working with providers to purchase care more effectively.

Councillor Asma Islam asked about the sustainability of the administration's initiatives. Ahmed responded that the council is looking at funding substitutions and being prudent with spending.

Councillor Kabir Hussain asked why there is no credible plan to control the overspend in children's services. Chimbani responded that there is a plan being scrutinised by the mayor and funding panels.

Councillor Sabina Khan asked about operational risk from drawdowns from IT reserves. Ahsan Khan, Corporate Head of Financial and Technical, responded that the ICT budget has sufficient funds to manage operational issues, and that every specific project will have a return on investment.

Councillor Nathalie Bienfait asked how the waste team is performing. Simon Baxter, Corporate Director Communities, responded that the general performance on waste is very good, and that the commercial waste services are hitting their targets.

Councillor Abdul Mannan asked what is being done to reduce spending on private taxis for transport services. Chimbani responded that there is a program of work looking at how to be more cost-effective in terms of transport.

• Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme 2025/26 and Scrutiny Improvement Plan The committee discussed the overview and scrutiny work programme for 2025-26 and the scrutiny improvement plan. Daniel Kerr, Strategy and Policy Lead, introduced the item, explaining that the work programme has been developed with members and includes feedback from residents. Matthew Mannion, Head of Democratic Services, introduced the scrutiny improvement plan, noting that it is a continuously evolving plan.

Councillor Nathalie Bienfait suggested a rolling tracker for the electric vehicle program and a scrutiny review on road deaths. She also suggested that the waste strategy and transport strategy do not need to be priorities early in the year.

Councillor Asma Islam questioned some of the chair's suggestions for the work programme.

Councillor James King asked if the mayor spotlight on 25 September was going ahead, and if the committee needed to agree the plan today.

Councillor Luthfa Rahman suggested tweaking the mental health spotlight to include school bullying.

Councillor Abdi Mohamed suggested including integrated enforcement with the borough commander visit and keeping the council communications point.

The committee agreed to approve the work programme with the understanding that it is a live document that can be amended as needed.