The Transformation and Assurance Board of Tower Hamlets Council met on Tuesday 13 January 2026 to discuss the embedding of results from the People Survey into the culture and workforce programme. The meeting also included a review of the Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP) highlight report and the board's forward plan.

Embedding People Survey Results in Culture and Workforce Programme

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a workshop focused on the next phase of the culture and workforce programme, incorporating the results of the recent People Survey. This survey, which achieved a 50.1% response rate, is intended to provide a robust baseline for understanding the organisation's culture. The workshop was led by Ellen Clark and Jon Lloyd, with papers to be tabled for discussion. The aim was to integrate the findings of the survey into future strategies for cultural and workforce development.

Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP) Highlight Report

The board was scheduled to receive a quarterly update on the Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP) through a Portfolio Highlight Report. This report serves as a key mechanism for the Transformation and Assurance Board (TAB) to provide assurance on CIP delivery and to review progress against milestones, risks, and next steps. The CIP is structured into four programmes: Vision, Partnerships & Participation; Governance & Political Culture; Culture & Workforce; and One Corporate Team.

The report indicated that the Vision, Partnerships & Participation programme was rated Amber, with the strategic vision agreed and over 2,000 residents engaged, but the delivery plan was pending. The Governance & Political Culture programme was also Amber, with the Member Pledge developed but awaiting launch, and scrutiny and process improvements embedded. The Culture & Workforce programme was rated Red, with strong engagement on the staff survey but the Workforce Strategy pending. The One Corporate Team programme was Amber, with statutory recommendations embedded and accelerating, supported by a £15m transformation fund and £2m for external audit response.

A key area of focus within the CIP was the One Corporate Team programme, specifically addressing external audit findings and the associated mobilisation plan. The council's external auditor, EY, had identified significant areas of risk, leading to statutory recommendations and confirmed weaknesses. A £2m provision within the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) has been set aside to support this mobilisation plan. The detailed plan was scheduled to be presented to the TAB for deep-dive oversight in February 2026.

TAB Forward Plan

The board was also set to review its forward plan for 2026. The discussion, led by Jon Lloyd, aimed to ensure that future TAB meetings would be aligned with key risks and emerging issues, providing ongoing assurance on CIP delivery. The forward plan indicated upcoming meetings focusing on the statutory recommendations for the One Corporate Team, a review of the culture and workforce programme incorporating staff survey results, and a final meeting before the pre-election break to cover key risks and emerging insights.

Other Business

Under Any Other Business, the meeting was scheduled to discuss the council's next report to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).