Agenda and minutes

The Chief Executive opened the meeting and invited nominations for the positions of Chair and Deputy Chair of the Assembly for the 2016/17 municipal year.

The Assembly resolved to appoint Councillors Ghani and Fergus as Chair and Deputy Chair of the Assembly respectively.

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the Assembly held on 24 February 2016 were confirmed as a correct record.

The Assembly noted with deep regret that former Councillor Rob Douglas had passed away on 18 March 2016.

Mr Douglas was elected as a Councillor for the Becontree Ward from 2010 until 2014.Mr Douglas served on numerous committees during his four years on the Council and had the position of Deputy Chair on the Pensions Panel.

A number of Members paid tribute to Mr Douglas contribution to the Council and his tireless campaigning for the Labour Party, whilst several Members recalled fond, personal memories of Mr Douglas.

The Assembly stood for a minute’s silence as a mark of respect.

A request has been received for the Council to hold a minute’s silence to remember the victims of youth crime.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Rodwell, introduced the item to the Assembly, advising that a request had been made by a local resident through Margaret Hodge MP for the Assembly to hold a minute’s silence for the youths who had lost their lives to violent youth crime.

The Leader advised that the campaign, “One Minute in May” had been set up to confront the threat of knife and gun crime.  The aim the campaign was to hold a vigil every year for all the lives lost to youth violence.

The Assembly stood for a minute’s silence as a mark of respect.

The Deputy Leader introduced a report to the Assembly confirming that the Council was successfully re-assessed in December 2015 for the London Boroughs Charter for Elected Member Development.

The Council was the first in London to receive the London Boroughs Charter when it was initially awarded in February 2009. 

The Deputy Leader thanked the Member Development Officer, Fiona Jamieson and the Member led Development Group which included Councillors Butt, Fergus, Freeborn, Jones and Oluwole.

The Chair then introduced Councillor Andy Hull from the London Borough of Islington, who was a member of the Assessment Panel and was in attendance on behalf of London Councils.

Councillor Hull advised that the Council had met the set criteria with flying colours and commented favourably on the meaningful and representative steering group. Furthermore, Councillor Hull made reference to Ambition 2020, commenting on the inspiring work of the project.

Councillor Hull then presented the London Boroughs Charter for Elected Member Development to the Chair of the Assembly.

The Director of Law and Governance introduced a report on the annual process of appointments to the various elements of the political structure and other internal and external bodies.

The Chair invited the Labour Group Secretary, Councillor Carpenter, to advise on the nominations to the various positions to be appointed to and the Labour Group Secretary referred to the schedule that had been tabled at the meeting.

Assembly resolved to agree the appointments to positions as set out in Appendix 1.

·  Joint JNC Salaries & Conditions And Appointments Panel held on 9 March 2016

·  JNC Appointments Panel held on 20 April 2016

·  JNC Appointments Panel held on 25 April 2016

The Assembly received and noted the minutes of the:

·  Joint JNC Salaries & Conditions and Appointments Panel held on 9 March 2016;

·  JNC Appointments Panel held on 20 April 2016;

·  JNC Appointments Panel held on 25 April 2016.

The Leader will present his statement.

The Leader of the Council presented a verbal statement updating the Assembly on a range of matters which included:

·  Congratulations to Sadiq Khan on his election as Mayor of London, commenting that the benefits for the Borough following Mr Khan’s election could include high quality housing for rent, the proposed A13 tunnel and an opportunity for growth.

·  The announcement that Coventry University would be leasing the Civic Centre to provide degree level qualifications to students in the area.

·  Changes to Cabinet Responsibilities:

o  Councillor Ashraf - Deputy Leader, Community Leadership & Engagement

o  Councillor Twomey - Deputy Leader, Finance, Growth & Investment

o  Councillor Bright - Equalities & Cohesion

o  Councillor Butt - Enforcement & Community Safety

o  Councillor Carpenter - Educational Attainment & School Improvement

o  Councillor Geddes - Economic & Social Development

o  Councillor Lynda Rice - Environment & Street Scene

o  Councillor Turner - Corporate Performance & Delivery

o  Councillor Worby - Social Care & Health Integration

·  The current public consultation on the recommendations of the Growth Commission and the Ambition 2020 Programme.

·  The imminent launch of the Tenant Shared Ownership Scheme, which reflected the Council’s status as London’s growth opportunity and would help to reverse the negative impact that so many of the Government’s initiatives were having on the Council and the local community.

·  Summer Festivals, of which the second season was well underway.

·  The Bobby Moore statue, to celebrate his life and the inspiration he continued to bring to residents of the Borough, 50 years after being captain of the England Team that  won the World Cup in 1966.

The Cabinet Member for Finance, Growth & Investment presented a report on the Members’ Allowances Scheme for 2016/17.

The Cabinet Member advised that, in view of the continuing pressures on public sector funding and the Council’s finances in particular, it was proposed that no changes be made to the scheme for 2016/17, representing a freeze in allowances levels for the eighth successive year.

Assembly resolved to:

(i)  Agree that no increase be applied to Members’ basic and special responsibility allowances for the 2016/17 municipal year, representing a freeze in allowance levels for the eighth successive year; and

(ii)  Adopt the Members’ Allowances Scheme 2016/17 attached to the report at Appendix A, to come into effect from 19 May 2016.

The Chair announced that, in accordance with the Constitution Part 2, Chapter 4, Paragraph 10.6, as Councillor Young was not present at the meeting, the Motion would be withdrawn.

Question 1

  From Councillor Fergus

“Following the recent announcement that Coventry University plan to lease the Civic Centre to provide degree-level education, can the Leader outline how the Council will ensure the building retains its civic purpose?”

Response

Councillor Rodwell, Leader of the Council, advised that Coventry University had understood from the outset the importance of the building to the Borough  and therefore would enable the Council and others to still have use of the building.

Question 2

From Councillor Freeborn

“Following her recent appointment and the Shadow Cabinet’s recent visit to Dagenham to mark International Women’s Day, can the Cabinet Member for Equality and Cohesion set out her priorities and ambitions for the borough?”

Response

Councillor Bright, Cabinet Members for Equalities and Cohesion, confirmed that she intended to engage with as many of the diverse communities in the Borough as possible, and would be focusing on the actions set out in the Councils Gender Equality Charter which included working more closely with the LGBT community, responding to changes to the population in the Borough and ensuring the Ambition 2020 programme reflect and progress equality objectives.

Supplementary Question

Councillor Freeborn enquired as to whether older people would be included within Councillor Bright’s work. Councillor Bright confirmed they would.

Question 3

From Councillor C Rice

“Can the Leader update Members on the future of Fanshawe Hall which has faithfully served our community for so many years?”

Response

Councillor Rodwell advised that Cabinet agreed in March 2016 to enter into a management agreement and grant a 30 year lease for the whole of the Fanshawe Community Centre complex to the Fanshawe Community Association.

Question 4

From Councillor Choudhury

“Will the Leader commit to working closely with the new Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, to promote the Council’s priorities?”

Response

Councillor Rodwell confirmed that the Council would be working with the new Mayor of London and had already been in contact with the Mayor Office.  Work would also be undertaken with London Councils to assist in supporting the Mayors priorities.

Question 5

From Councillor Shaukat

“Can the Leader set out what the Chancellor’s decision to invite Transport for London to bring forward proposals for financing the A13 Riverside Tunnel as part of his 2016 Budget means for the future of the project?

Response

Councillor Rodwell advised that he would be discussing the project with the new Mayor of London.  The A13 needed to be redeveloped and the introduction of a tunnel would unlock land for more housing in the area.

Question 6

From Councillor Miah

“Can the Leader or the relevant Cabinet Member explain when we will be launching our shared ownership housing scheme for council tenants?”

Response

Councillor Twomey, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Growth and Investment, advised that in March 2016, Cabinet approved proposals to introduce a Right to Invest – Tenant Shared Ownership Scheme, subject to consultation with tenants.  Consultation took place earlier in the year and following overwhelming support for the scheme, the Cabinet would consider whether  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.