Multi-million pound improvements and better ICT

Tower Hamlets Mayor, John Biggs and his cabinet members met on 19^th June to approve a multi-million pound capital works programme.

They also decided whether improvements to the council’s information and communications technology (ICT) provision are sufficient to avoid a change of service provider.

The ambitious capital works plans aim to significantly improve the borough’s schools and health provision. They set out improvements to school buildings, better supporting children with special educational needs; they will increase the number of primary school places in the borough; introduce a new children’s home for youngsters in care; develop new and enhanced GP primary care services and include plans for four landscaping projects that will improve walking and cycling routes.

The council has also negotiated a new partnership agreement with its existing ICT provider. The new contract sets out proposals to improve delivery of ICT services for staff and introduce new initiatives to support staff in their work.

The Mayor and his Cabinet also decided whether benefits to the new contract, including savings of £3m – £5m and flexibility to use other IT providers, is sufficient to avoid a change of service provider.

Mayor Biggs said: “The proposals in June’s cabinet report put families and young people first.  More than £15m of investment will improve the service provision available to local people, modernise GP surgeries and introduce new green spaces. We’re significantly investing in schools too, so that our young people have the best possible learning environment.”

Additional agenda items include proposals to commission a new Healthwatch and the introduction of further transparency measures for Mayoral decision making.