The Tower Hamlets Council cabinet met to discuss a range of issues, including the submission of the local plan, contract procurement, and strategies for safeguarding adults and managing flood risk. The cabinet agreed to submit the draft new local plan to the Secretary of State, procure a replacement film locations management contract, and recommission the East London Apartments homeless hostel.

Local Plan Submission

The cabinet agreed that the 'Draft New Local Plan' proceeds to the Wednesday 19 November 2025 meeting of Full Council for approval of submission to the Secretary of State. The Local Plan is the primary planning policy document for the borough and is currently being revised to reflect changing circumstances¹. The next recommended stage of the Local Plan process is to submit the plan to the Secretary of State for examination in public. The draft plan features a number of site allocations to aid delivery of at least 52,095 new homes. Proposed Site Allocations are spread across four areas of the borough including Brick Lane and Pedley Street, Chrisp Street, the Aberfeldy Estate and Teviot Estates and a number of sites in and around Canary Wharf and Marsh Wall. The report notes that the council started preparing a draft new Local Plan in 2022 to address the borough's key growth priorities and challenges. The two later stages of consultation focused on whether the plan was 'sound' and legally compliant to satisfy 'Regulation 19' of the TCPA regulations. The Council subsequently conducted a second focused round of Regulation 19 public consultation in summer 2025 known as Draft New Local Plan - Focused Policies (2025).

Film Locations Management Contract

The cabinet agreed to procure a replacement Film Locations Management contract, to take effect on 1 April 2026 for a period of three years with an option to extend by two years. Tower Hamlets is a highly sought-after location for filming, and this contract aims to appoint a Film Location Management company to oversee and co-ordinate all filming activity across council managed assets. The appointed contractor will be required to provide all staffing to process film licenses and provide marketing and online resources to promote assets.

Alternative options considered were:

• Insourcing the management of film locations: Bringing film locations management provision in-house would require the Council to establish a dedicated service, creating new staff posts, and allocating a revenue budget.
• Reduce the term of the contract: This is a highly specialised market with a limited number of providers offering film location management services. Therefore, it is recommended that the Council pursues a three-year contract, with the option to extend for a further two years (24 months).

East London Apartments

The cabinet authorised the Corporate Director of Health and Adult Social Care to start the recommissioning and tender process with the award of the new three-year contract for East London Apartments starting on 1st April 2026. East London Apartments is a 31-bed single homeless hostel at risk of closure due to the uncertainty of central government grant funding beyond 31st March 2026. The service comprises a 31-bed specialist supported housing accommodation for vulnerable Tower Hamlets residents with a history of rough sleeping and complex needs.

Alternative options considered were:

• To agree a 12-month Direct Award sought via Cabinet (likely in January/February 2026).
• The Council could decommission the scheme by the 31 March 2026.

Contracts Forward Plan

The cabinet considered the contract summary and identified those contracts about which specific reports – relating to contract award – should be brought before Cabinet prior to contract award by the appropriate Corporate Director for the service area. The cabinet authorised the appropriate Corporate Director in consultation with the Mayor to award those contracts set out in Appendix 1 of the report submitted and not identified in accordance with recommendation 1, following an appropriate procurement exercise. The Council's Procurement Procedures require submission of a quarterly forward plan of contracts for Cabinet consideration, and it is a requirement of the Constitution that “The contracting strategy and/or award of any contract for goods or services with an estimated value exceeding £1m, and any contract for capital works with an estimated value exceeding £5m shall be approved by the Cabinet.

Strategic Delivery and Performance Report

The cabinet noted the strategic delivery and performance report for Q1 covering the period of 1st April 2025 to 30th June 2025, and reviewed the status of 60 performance measures in Q1 tracking the delivery of Year 4 of the Strategic Plan 2022-2026. At the end of Quarter 1 (April to June 2025), 60 performance indicators are reported in 7 categories, with the following position update since Quarter 4 (January to March 2025): 36 have met or exceeded their target (Green) in Quarter 1, an increase of 2 since Quarter 4.

Children and Young People’s Supported Housing Pathway

The cabinet approved the re-procurement of the Tower Hamlets Children and Young People’s Supported Housing Pathway (CYPSHP) contract for 3 years plus with the option for two 12-month extensions from 1st of June 2026 with an annual value of £1,783,325. The current Tower Hamlets Children and Young People’s Supported Housing Pathway (CYPSHP) is designed to provide accommodation and support services to young people (YP) aged 16 to 21 (up to 25 depending on needs), who are in and on the edge of care, such as looked-after children (LAC), care leavers and homeless YP. The Pathway is a mechanism for the Council to meet its legal duties under the Children’s Act 1989 and the Housing Act 1996.

Safeguarding Adults Board Strategy

The cabinet noted the attached Safeguarding Adults Board (SAB) Strategy 2025-30 and formally confirmed the council’s adoption of the SAB Strategy 2025-30 as a core member of the SAB. Local Authorities have a duty under the Care Act 2014 to establish and maintain a Safeguarding Adults Board, with responsibility for all adult safeguarding across the entire locality area.

Flood & Risk Management Action Plan

The cabinet noted the mid term update and progress against the six recommendations made through the Flood Risk Management Scrutiny Review, and provided approval for the service to explore funding opportunities for further improvements to achieve optimum results. The flood risk management report was presented to Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) on 28th January 2025. The report makes six recommendations to optimise the approach to flood risk management for the borough of Tower Hamlets.

Reduction and Recycling Plan Progress Report

The cabinet noted the Reduction and Recycling Plan 2023-2026, Quarter 1 2025-26 Progress Report. Tower Hamlets Reduction and Recycling Plan (RRP) 2023-2025 was approved by Cabinet in September 2023. A noting report detailing progress of the RRP is due at Cabinet on a quarterly basis.