The Cabinet of Tower Hamlets Council met on Wednesday 08 September 2021, approving funding for substance misuse services and the procurement of highways and street lighting works. The meeting also saw decisions made regarding the disposal of council properties and the procurement of IT infrastructure and services.

Substance Misuse Service Contract Direct Award

The cabinet approved the direct award of a contract variation for the Reset substance misuse service, enabling an increase in outreach programmes, recovery support, and treatment services. This decision was made possible by central government funding secured through the rough sleeping drug and alcohol treatment grants scheme, ADDER funding, and individual placement and support. Councillor Rachel Blake, Cabinet Member for Health, Adults and Well-being, presented the report, highlighting the allocation of navigators, including specific roles for women and peer navigators, to support individuals with substance misuse issues and those experiencing rough sleeping.

Councillor Kabir Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Inclusive Development and Housebuilding, raised questions regarding the grading and costings of various posts within the proposed service enhancements. He noted concerns about the allocation of significant sums for roles such as a data intelligence lead and a clinical psychologist, and questioned the costing of a peer navigator role. Councillor Ahmed also inquired about the nature of a case manager bursary and a specialist training budget, suggesting that these funds might be better utilized differently.

Keith Daley, who was involved in securing the grant funding, clarified that the bursary relates to expenses incurred by case managers when accompanying service users to appointments, not direct payments to staff. He also explained that the specialist training budget is for service users to gain skills for employment, such as forklift driving licenses. Daley further elaborated that the costings for the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) funded posts were agreed by Public Health England and the Department for Work and Pensions, not the council. He also addressed the market rate for non-medical prescribers, citing a shortage of skilled practitioners in substance misuse services. Councillor Ahmed acknowledged the council's efforts in securing the grant and suggested further work on specialist services for nitrous oxide use.

Integrated Housing and Support Mental Health Schemes

A direct award of a seven-year contract to Look Ahead Care and Support for integrated housing and support mental health schemes was approved. The contract, with a maximum annual value of £1 million, will cover 72 integrated units, providing high and low support, as well as recovery-focused support for service users with forensic mental health histories. Councillor Rachel Blake explained that the integrated nature of the support and accommodation, where the provider acts as both landlord and support provider, necessitates a direct award rather than a tender process.

Service Action Plan: Improving Air Quality

The cabinet reviewed the council's response to a scrutiny report on improving air quality in Tower Hamlets. Councillor Asma Islam, Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, presented the report, which outlines the council's actions in response to nine recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Some recommendations have already been completed, with others on track for completion.

Councillor Peter Golds, Leader of the Conservative Group, inquired about the annual cost of adding an extra NOx diffusion tube and welcomed the focus on canal boats, urging collaboration with other local authorities. David Tolley, from the council's environmental team, stated that the cost of adding an extra NOx tube is minimal, around £20-£30 per annum, with the analysis being the larger expense. He also confirmed that while there have been some changes to the types of fuels boaters can purchase, the regulation of canal boats remains a complex issue.

Councillor Kabir Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Inclusive Development and Housebuilding, raised concerns about the impact of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) on traffic congestion on major roads like the Bow Common Lane and Hackney Road. He also suggested an educational approach rather than immediate fines for engine idling. Mayor John Biggs responded by stating that the council is reviewing its Livable Streets programme and that enforcement for idling has been minimal, focusing on education. He also defended the council's approach to LTNs, emphasizing the public health imperative of improving air quality.

Procurement of Highways and Street Lighting Works Contracts

The cabinet agreed to the planned pre-procurement of the council's highways and street lighting works contracts, which are due to expire on March 31, 2022. Councillor Kahar Chowdhury presented the report, outlining that the new contract will focus on the maintenance and improvement of highways and street lighting, with Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) embedded to monitor performance.

Disposal of 3-11 Balance Road, E15HS

The cabinet approved the disposal of the property at 3-11 Balance Road, E15HS. Councillor Mufeedah Bustin, Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion and Public Realm, presented the report, noting that the commercial property has been vacant for some years. The site was previously subject to a highway safeguarding designation, which delayed its future use until July 2018. Vicky Clark provided clarification on a late public submission regarding scaffolding costs, confirming that the annual cost is approximately £30,000 and that the council did not purchase the scaffolding.

Councillor Peter Golds questioned whether the council would be able to recoup overall costs, including security and scaffolding, through the sale. Councillor Bustin indicated that the capital receipt from the disposal is expected to comfortably exceed scaffolding costs, though other security costs were not fully detailed. Councillor Kabir Ahmed suggested exploring housing development options for the site, given the regeneration in Whitechapel, rather than selling it. Councillor Rachel Blake, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Inclusive Development and Housebuilding, explained that the disposal was considered in the context of a comprehensive capital programme aiming to deliver 2,000 council homes.

Disposal of 122 Back Church Lane, E1 1NY

The cabinet also approved the disposal of 122 Back Church Lane, E1 1NY, a former school building that has been vacant for ten years. Councillor Mufeedah Bustin presented the report, stating that a feasibility study explored development options, but converting the building to residential accommodation was not deemed to provide value for money due to complexities.

Town Hall IT Infrastructure

Authority was granted to procure the necessary IT hardware, software, and services for the move to the new Town Hall in 2022. Councillor Candida Ronald, Cabinet Member for Resources and the Voluntary Sector, explained that while the cabling is included in the build contract, switches and wireless access points are not. The IT service will design, procure, and install these components. The report noted potential long lead times for hardware due to Brexit, the pandemic, and shipping issues. Councillor Peter Golds inquired about the financing of this IT infrastructure, and Councillor Ronald clarified that it would not be part of the capital construction budget but rather an ongoing operational cost for the organization.

IT Support and Maintenance Contracts

The cabinet approved the continuation of support and maintenance for various IT applications and systems, including Northgate Housing rents and benefits applications and Bel Mitel Wave Net telephony systems. The report proposed awarding 20 new contracts with a total annual value of £1.682 million and a lifecycle value of £5.3 million over three to five years. Melanie Rose from the IT department was present to answer any questions.