The Tower Hamlets Council cabinet met to discuss a range of issues, including gambling policy, safeguarding adults, allocation of the Household Support Fund, contracts, and budget monitoring. The cabinet approved the recommendations for all agenda items.

Key Discussions

Household Support Fund

The cabinet approved the disbursement of the Household Support Fund (HSF) tranche 7, allocating just over £5 million to support vulnerable residents with essentials like food, fuel and other necessities. The funding, provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), will be distributed by the end of March 2026 through direct awards, community cupboards, a resident support scheme, and food hubs.

Councillor Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Resources and the Cost of Living, explained that over 20,000 low-income households would receive flexible payments, and that targeted support would be given to families with children, pensioners, disabled residents, SEND children, carers, rough sleepers and victims of violence.

Councillor Kobir raised concerns about residents marginally above or below the eligibility criteria and the long-term future of the HSF. An officer clarified that the resident support scheme does not have a specific eligibility criteria and each case is assessed individually. They also announced that the DWP would be launching a three-year Crisis and Resilience Fund to follow on from the HSF.

Budget Monitoring

The cabinet reviewed the Budget Monitoring Report for Quarter 1 of 2025-26. Councillor Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Resources and the Cost of Living, reported a forecast net general fund overspend of £14.7 million after planned funding substitutions and the application of earmarked reserves. The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) is reporting a £5.8 million overspend.

David Joyce, Corporate Director of Health and Regeneration, summarised the measures being taken to improve the in-year position, including spending review panels and corporate controls on departmental spending.

Corporate directors outlined actions being taken to mitigate overspends in their respective areas:

• Georgia Chimbani, Corporate Director Health, Adults and Communities Directorate, detailed efforts to reduce spending on care purchasing and invest in preventative services.
• Simon Baxter, Corporate Director Communities, said that recruitment is being scrutinised.
• Steve Reddy, Corporate Director of Children and Culture, highlighted the need for more foster carers and specialist legal advice for families with no recourse to public funds.

The Mayor Lutfur Rahman requested that lead members work with their corporate directors to understand the budget and address overspends.

Gambling Policy

The cabinet recommended to full council the adoption of the revised Statement of Gambling Policy 2025-28, including the continuation of the 'no casino' resolution. The council must review and adopt a new policy by November 2025, as required by the Gambling Act 2005.

Councillor Abu Talha Chowdhury, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, noted that the changes were based on Gambling Commission guidance and included measures to safeguard children.

Councillor Boutou expressed concern about the low number of responses to the consultation. An officer responded that efforts were made to engage as many people as possible, but engagement was voluntary.

The revised policy includes updates to references to the Tower Hamlets Plan, incorporates changes to Gambling Commission guidance, and places an expectation on licence holders to implement a think 25 age verification policy.

Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report

The cabinet noted the Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report 2024-25. Councillor Sabina Akhtar, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Social Care, introduced the report, highlighting improvements in cultural competency, partnerships with local stakeholders like Islander Mosque, and upskilling of safeguarding staff.

Fiona Davies, chair of the Safeguarding Adults Board, noted changes to the report based on previous comments, including benchmarking with other local authorities.

Councillor Kobir raised concerns about the follow-up rate for safeguarding concerns. Fiona Davies clarified that only a quarter of concerns meet the statutory threshold for an inquiry, but all issues are managed through case work and other routes.

Contracts Forward Plan

The cabinet considered the Contract Forward Plan for Quarter 1 of FY 2025-2026 and authorised the appropriate Corporate Directors, in consultation with the Mayor Lutfur Rahman, to award the contracts listed in Appendix 1, following an appropriate procurement exercise.

Councillor Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Resources and the Cost of Living, stated that there were five contracts for consideration, with two in resources, and one each in communities, health and adult social care, and children's services.

Andy Grant, Corporate Head of Procurement, noted changes to the first contract regarding community benefits and clarified the social value ask in all contracts.

Record of Corporate Directors Actions

The cabinet noted the Record of Corporate Directors Actions, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report. These actions were taken under Rule 10 (section 50 Record of Corporate Director's Actions (RCDA) - Waiving of Procurement Procedures) in Part C – Codes and Protocols of the Council's constitution.

Announcements

Mayor Lutfur Rahman announced that Tower Hamlets Council would be dedicating the following weekend to celebrating East London's diversity, in response to recent far-right activity. Events included a Town Hall Open Day and the Brick Lane Curry Festival, working with the Bangalatown Traders Association.

Councillor Wahid, Chair of Overview and Scrutiny, raised issues with the audibility of meetings in the council chambers, the late receipt of papers for Overview and Scrutiny meetings, and the regular meetings between scrutiny subcommittee chairs and corporate directors. The Mayor Lutfur Rahman apologised for the late papers and requested that officers address the issue.