Councillor Marc Francis

Housing & Regeneration Scrutiny Sub Committee - Monday, 16th September, 2024 6.30 p.m.

The Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny Sub Committee received a number of updates from council officers and representatives from Tower Hamlets Community Housing. A letter will be sent to the Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman, requesting he initiate a meeting with the Minister for Housing, the Regulator for Social Housing and local MPs to discuss the performance of Tower Hamlets Community Housing. The committee also noted the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman's reports and recommendations.

Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday, 10th September, 2024 6.30 p.m.

The meeting discussed the council’s first quarter budget monitoring report and heard a spotlight presentation on business rate risks. It also heard a presentation about the new transport strategy and was asked to consider the local government ombudsman’s decision about a complaint made against the council. Lastly, the committee agreed the final version of its work programme for 2024/25 and were asked to consider this year’s scrutiny annual report, which will be tabled at the next full council meeting.

Development Committee - Thursday, 5th September, 2024 6.30 p.m.

The Development Committee voted to grant planning permission for both applications considered during the meeting: the addition of a storey at Compass Point, and the redevelopment of Empson Street Industrial Estate.

Health & Adults Scrutiny Sub-Committee - Tuesday, 3rd September, 2024 6.30 p.m.

The Health and Adult Scrutiny Sub-Committee were presented with three presentations; one on the preparation for the forthcoming Care Quality Commission inspection of Adult Social Care, one on sexual health provision in Tower Hamlets and one on smoking cessation. The committee then noted the proposed work programme for 2024-25.

Call in: - Approval of the council’s revised Homelessness Accommodation Placement Policy, Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Monday, 2nd September, 2024 6.00 p.m.

The committee voted to reject a call-in of the Mayor's decision in July to approve a revised Homelessness Accommodation Placement Policy[^1]. The meeting was dominated by a discussion of the controversial changes to the policy, particularly the removal of the 90-minute travel time limit, which now permits the council to place homeless families into temporary accommodation anywhere in the country.