The Cabinet of Tower Hamlets Council met on Tuesday 03 November 2015 to discuss a range of important issues, including the annual reports of the Safeguarding Children's Board and the Safeguarding Adults Board, the proposed new Civic Centre, and improvements to cycling safety. Decisions were made on several key items, including the disposal of council assets and the modernisation of older persons' day services.

Safeguarding Children's Board Annual Report

The meeting received the annual report of the Safeguarding Children's Board (LSCB) for 2014-15. Sarah Barker, the independent chair of the LSCB, presented the report, highlighting the board's role in coordinating and challenging local partners to safeguard children and families. Key priorities for the coming year include improving the multi-agency response to children at risk of radicalisation and extremism, addressing child sexual exploitation (CSE) and children missing from care, focusing on children with disabilities, and enhancing the quality of learning and performance analysis. The report also detailed the board's work on serious case reviews, including the Jamila serious case review, and its focus on harmful practices such as forced marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM).

Councillor Rachael Saunders, Cabinet Member for Children and Families, expressed strong support for the LSCB's work and emphasised the council's commitment to supporting its training and learning functions. The Cabinet noted the report and the discussion, with Mayor John Biggs urging all members to attend an upcoming workshop on safeguarding children.

Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report

Brian Parrott, the independent chair of the Safeguarding Adults Board, presented the board's annual report, highlighting the strength of working relationships between partners but also noting a weakness in formal governance structures. He emphasised the significant impact of the Care Act 2015 and the increased workload due to Deprivation of Liberty Safeguardings (DOLs). The report detailed areas of focus for the board, including quality assurance, performance, communication, and strengthening connections with primary healthcare.

Councillor Amy Whitelock Gibbs, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, welcomed the report and stressed that safeguarding adults is everybody's business. She highlighted the importance of strengthening governance processes and the need to consider the user experience of those being protected. The Cabinet agreed to endorse the report and noted the ongoing peer review of the council's safeguarding practices.

Civic Centre Project

Mayor John Biggs introduced the proposal for a new Civic Centre at Whitechapel, acknowledging initial skepticism about the project's potential extravagance. He explained that the current building is aging and its lease is nearing its end, making a new facility a necessity. The proposal includes housing the majority of staff in Whitechapel, maintaining a presence at Glaston Place in Bow, and ensuring accessible one-stop shops across the borough. The Mayor also highlighted the need to improve IT systems and customer care.

Councillor Peter Golds, Chair of the Licensing Committee, supported the proposal, emphasizing the need for education facilities and housing in the east of the borough. Councillor Amy Whitelock Gibbs welcomed the commitment to local presence in Bethnal Green and the Isle of Dogs, seeking further details on how these local presences would be constituted. Councillor Joshua Peck proposed adding a recommendation to consider the ongoing commemoration of Jack Dash and Albert Jacob following the disposal of buildings associated with them. The Cabinet agreed to the recommendations in the report, including Councillor Peck's observation.

Disposal of Southern Grove and Cheviot House

Councillor David Edgar presented the report on the proposed disposal of Southern Grove and Cheviot House, two largely empty buildings costing the council money to maintain. He noted that a planning brief for Southern Grove would preserve the historic workhouse building. Councillor Rachael Saunders suggested that while the site could be disposed of on the market, the possibility of a community land trust partnering with a developer should remain open. Councillor Peter Golds highlighted the architectural significance of Cheviot House, an Art Deco building, and expressed hope that its structure could be preserved for housing. The Cabinet agreed to the recommendations in the report.

Older Persons Day Service Review

Councillor Amy Whitelock Gibbs presented proposals for the modernisation of day services for older people with eligible social care needs. The aims include meeting rising demand, tailoring services to cultural and religious needs, and responding to demographic changes, user expectations, and funding pressures. The proposals involve reviewing service specifications, upgrading Riverside House for complex needs and reablement, and addressing the future of Mayfield House, which currently provides a day centre for Somali older men.

Following a meeting with users and staff at Mayfield House, the Cabinet agreed to defer the decision on Mayfield House to allow for further budget consultation and to explore alternative offers for Somali users. The Cabinet agreed to the recommendations for the overall reprovision and reshaping of older people's day services, including extending core spot contracts and upgrading Riverside House.

Improving Cycling Safety

Councillor John Pierce, Chair of Overview and Scrutiny, introduced a review into improving cycling safety, stemming from the council's commitment to the London Cycling Campaign's local pledges. The review aimed to assess progress and identify further actions to make Tower Hamlets a better place to cycle. The council agreed to publish information on spending for cycle safety and explore new funds for secure cycle storage.

Councillor Ayas Miah, Cabinet Member for Environment, welcomed the report, highlighting the growing popularity of cycling and the need to address conflicts with other road users. The report contained approximately 10 recommendations. Councillor Joshua Peck raised concerns about the enforcement of the 20-mile-per-hour speed limit and the need for a strong communication campaign. Margaret Cooper, from the council's traffic department, outlined ongoing publicity efforts and plans for traffic calming measures. Councillor Amy Whitelock Gibbs and Councillor Sirajul Islam welcomed the focus on cycling and inquired about communication with the cycling community and plans for cycle storage. The Cabinet agreed to the recommendations in the report.

Other Discussions

The Cabinet also discussed the Safeguarding Children's Board Annual Report, Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report, Civic Centre Project, CPO Resolution for Burdette Estates and Paul's Way Trust, Disposal of Southern Grove and Cheviot House, Section 106 funded housing, Improving Cycling Safety, Older Persons Day Service Review, Promoting Reporting of Drug Dealing and Related ASB, EIA Reviewed Contract, Supplier Chain Ethical Code of Conduct, Annual Procurement Report, Transparency Protocol, Local Ombudsman Decisions 2014-15, and Individual Executive Decisions. Decisions were made on several of these items, including the approval of the Civic Centre project, the disposal of council assets, and the modernisation of older persons' day services. The Cabinet also noted reports on procurement, transparency, and local ombudsman decisions.