London Borough of Tower Hamlets

Tuesday 28th March 2017 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Sajid Javid)]

In line with the statement I made on 16 March 2017, and giving due consideration to representations made by the London Borough of Tower Hamlets on 22 March 2017,1 am informing the House that I am exercising my powers under section 15 of the Local Government Act 1999 and revoking the directions of 14 December 2014 in relation to the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

This will end the role of commissioners in the council and hand back executive functions to the executive Mayor.

From 1 April 2017 I am putting in place a further general direction for a period of 18 months to 30 September 2018. The general direction includes requirements that the council:

delivers all outstanding actions in their best value action plan and sets up a best value improvement board as outlined in the Mayor’s letter of 1 March 2017;

provides me with quarterly reports against their best value action plans for a further 12 months;

carries out an independent review of delivery at the end of this period; and

abides by the best value duty, as with all councils.

The new direction allows for continued oversight of electoral administration.

I am placing a copy of the documents associated with these announcements in the Library of the House and on my Department’s website.

[HCWS569]