Here is a summary of the Tower Hamlets Council Cabinet meeting:

The Cabinet approved a plan to improve youth services, address hate crime, support the voluntary sector, promote digital inclusion, and enhance services for children with special educational needs. They also reviewed residents' perceptions of the council and its services.

Here's a more detailed look at the key topics discussed:

Young Tower Hamlets Strategy 2025-2027

The Cabinet approved the Young Tower Hamlets (YTH) Strategic Plan 2025-2027, a key mayoral pledge to invest in youth services. The strategy aims to provide diverse and inclusive youth work opportunities, including safe spaces and targeted support. Councillor Maium Talukdar, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Education, Youth and Lifelong Learning, described the strategy as a declaration that mobilises a flagship youth service, reversing years of austerity and committing to borough-wide access, inclusivity and quality.

Young people, including Ifat, the Deputy Young Mayor, and youth councillors Crystal, Daniel Momo and Nikki, presented the strategy, highlighting the importance of youth spaces and the need for services to be shaped by young voices. They discussed target groups, including young women and girls, LGBTQI+ individuals, Somali boys and those with special educational needs and disabilities.

Councillor Kabir Ahmed noted that the strategy should be a living document co-produced with young people. Councillor Saied Ahmed expressed pride in the funding provided for Young Tower Hamlets, while Councillor Abu Talha Chowdhury emphasised the importance of giving back to the community.

Steve Reddy, Corporate Director Children's Services, thanked the youth workers and visitors from the National Youth Association and Centre for Young Lives for their support. He also asked the young representatives about their personal perceptions of safe spaces, the Youth Empowerment Fund and extracurricular sports activities.

The Cabinet agreed to note and approve the strategic plan and continue its roll out.

Hate Crime Reporting Journey – Response to OSC Scrutiny Challenge Session Action Plan

The Cabinet noted and agreed to an action plan in response to recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) to improve hate crime reporting in the borough. Councillor Abu Talha Chowdhury, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, noted that hate crime is a huge issue and that reporting is an area of under-reporting.

The action plan includes measures to increase third-party reporting centres, develop a hate crime reporting app, train council staff to recognise and refer hate crime incidents, and improve follow-up and aftercare for victims.

Councillor Maium Talukdar condemned online abuse and racism faced by politicians, while Mayor Lutfur Rahman shared an example of a racist voicemail left for Councillor Kabir Ahmed.

Steve Reddy highlighted the positive partnership work between the lead member and the scrutiny committee.

The Cabinet agreed to move forward with the recommendations set out in the report.

Voluntary and Community Sector Strategy 2025-2029 and Compact

The Cabinet approved the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Strategy 2025-2029 and the refreshed Tower Hamlets Compact, which outlines the council's vision for working with the VCS. Councillor Saied Ahmed thanked everyone who contributed to the strategy, emphasising the sector's vital role in the borough.

The strategy focuses on building trust, collaborating to meet community needs, strengthening capacity and supporting independence and sustainability. Key actions include launching a new compact for partnership working, conducting annual needs assessments, co-designing grants programmes and boosting volunteering.

Councillor Maium Talukdar welcomed the strategy, highlighting the importance of building trust and effectiveness with the third sector. Steve Reddy asked about feedback from different VCS groups, while Councillor Sabina Akhtar inquired about outreach to under-represented communities like the Somali community.

David Joyce, Corporate Director, spoke about progress on agreeing new leases with valued organisations like Mudchute Park and Farm, and the need to update outdated policies around VCS leases.

Mayor Lutfur Rahman emphasised the importance of the community sector and volunteer organisations, highlighting the council's significant investment in grant-making and the independent, officer-led process.

The Cabinet agreed to move forward with the report.

Digital Inclusion Action Plan 2025-2028

The Cabinet approved the Partnership Digital Inclusion Action Plan 2025-2028, which aims to equip residents with the tools and skills they need to participate in a digital world. Councillor Bodrul Choudhury presented the plan, noting that the number of digitally excluded residents has fallen by 6,000 since 2021, but challenges remain for those aged 55+, with disabilities, or not in work.

The plan aligns with the government's Digital Inclusion Action Plan and addresses access to devices, data and digital skills support. It also includes specific commitments from public-facing teams to embed digital inclusion in their work.

Councillor Kabir Ahmed supported the plan's focus on access to devices, data and digital skills, while Councillor Maium Talukdar highlighted the challenges faced by non-working parents and disabled residents.

Steve Reddy suggested promoting the plan, and Councillor Bodrul Choudhury clarified that the report presented was the correct version.

The Cabinet agreed to the report and its recommendations.

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Improvement Report 2024/25

The Cabinet noted the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Improvement Annual Report 2024/25, which provides an overview of progress against the SEND and Inclusion Strategy. Steve Reddy highlighted significant improvements in the SEND inspection report, noting that Tower Hamlets is now seen as a place where children with SEND are genuinely valued.

Councillor Kabir Ahmed reaffirmed the administration's commitment to delivering on the SEND and Inclusion Strategy, while Steve Reddy thanked the children, families and staff who participated in the inspection.

Steve Reddy clarified that the language around inconsistency in the report meant that while great things were happening, they were not happening at a consistent level all the time.

The Cabinet noted the report and agreed with the recommendation.

Annual Resident Survey 2025 Results and Analysis

The Cabinet noted the findings of the Annual Resident Survey (ARS) 2025, which provides insights into residents' perceptions of the council and its services. Steve Reddy introduced the report, highlighting the positive results in frontline service provision and community cohesion.

Martin Rogers, Senior Research Officer, presented the survey's key findings, noting that overall satisfaction with the council is up 8 percentage points and that the council is performing well compared to LGA benchmarks.

Councillor Maium Talukdar acknowledged that some people will always have a negative perception of the council, while Councillor Shafi Ahmed highlighted the survey's demonstration of success despite negative narratives. Councillor Abu Talha Chowdhury noted the decrease in perceptions of crime and the increase in feelings of safety for women.

Councillor Saied Ahmed highlighted the positive trends in residents' concerns about the cost of living, while Councillor Kabir Ahmed emphasised the need to address overcrowding and lack of affordable housing.

Steve Reddy noted areas where satisfaction had reduced, such as council tax accounts, parking services and pest control, and requested a report back with action plans to address these issues.

Mayor Lutfur Rahman welcomed the survey results, emphasising the importance of external scrutiny and the need to improve in areas where the council is not performing well. He also addressed misinformation and false narratives about the council, highlighting the council's achievements and commitment to serving residents.

The Cabinet noted the resident survey.

Free School Meals Action Plan – Scrutiny Report Response

The Cabinet approved the Free School Meals Action Plan, which responds to recommendations from the Children and Education Sub-Committee to improve the provision of free school meals. Councillor Maium Talukdar introduced the report, emphasising the goal of providing nutritious meals in a positive environment.

Councillor Kamrul Hussain highlighted the council's unique position in providing universal free school meals and the plan's aim to ensure nutritious and tasty food. Councillor Sabina Akhtar noted the new Tower Hamlets School Food Accountability Policy, while Councillor Kabir Ahmed emphasised the importance of understanding the underlying factors impacting children's living standards.

Steve Reddy commended the scrutiny committee's work, and Councillor Lutfur Rahman expressed surprise at the low take-up rate and requested a piece of work to increase it. He also requested a list of schools and what support they needed.

The Cabinet agreed with the report.

Allocation of Holiday Activity and Food Programme Grant Funding Christmas 2025/26

The Cabinet approved the allocation of Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) Programme grant funding for Christmas 2025/26. Due to time constraints, there were no questions or comments on this item.

In addition to the above, Mayor Lutfur Rahman requested a communications plan for a number of papers, and Steve Reddy added that the plan should include information on the spending review and the corporate peer challenge report.