Agenda item
TO RECEIVE WRITTEN QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
(Maximum of 30 minutes allowed)
The questions which have been received are set out in agenda item 6.
Decision:
6.1 Question from Ms. Johanna Kaschke to the Lead Member for Cleaner, Safer, Greener, Councillor Abdal Ullah re: funding for Neighbourhood Watch Schemes.
The above question and an oral supplementary question were put by Ms Kaschke and responded to by the Lead Member, Cleaner, Safer, Greener
(Action by: Stephen Halsey, Corporate Director Communities, Localities and Culture)
Urgent Motion – Woolworths
Councillor Abjol Miah moved, Councillor Dulal Uddin seconded and the meeting agreed the suspension of Procedure Rule 13.1 to enable an urgent motion on the above matter to be considered at the meeting.
Councillor Abjol Miah then moved and Councillor Dulal Uddin seconded under Procedure Rule 14.1.3, to vary the order of business to enable the urgent motion in respect of Woolworths to be discussed as the next item. This procedural motion was lost and the urgent motion was placed as motion 11.13 on the agenda.
Minutes:
6.1 Question from Ms. Johanna Kaschke to the Lead Member for Cleaner, Safer, Greener, Councillor Abdal Ullah
“When I recently enquired about funding I was told that the Council does not support Neighbourhood Watch Schemes. I believe that Neighbourhood Watch Schemes provide an essential communications tool between the community and the Police and help both sides to work toward a reduction in crime. Not even 17 extra Police officers can function efficiently without the co-operation of residents, where Neighbourhood Watch Schemes play a necessary role to further relations with the Police. Why doesn’t the Council support Neighbourhood Watch Schemes?”
Response of the Lead Member:
The Partnership Serious Acquisitive Crime sub group has supported and funded the launch of the new Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators group at Oxford House on 13 November. Tower Hamlets Police and the Local Authority see Neighbourhood Watches as a crucial element in preventing crime and engaging local communities. Safer Neighbourhood Teams will be looking to increase the current 40 Watches in the New Year and this will include promoting them in the media as well as erecting local signs in Watch areas.
Summary of supplementary question from Ms. Kaschke:
I was present at the launch on 25th November where the Metropolitan Police and the Deputy Mayor of London supported Neighbourhood Watch Schemes. The decline in schemes is due to lack of funding. What will the Council do to actually provide funds to support Neighbourhood Watch Schemes?
Summary of Lead Member’s response:
I was also at the launch. It is not just a question of funding it also about working with partners in the LAPs and effective communication. I hope that you will wish to play a role in this and I invite you to participate and champion the scheme.
At this point (9.01 pm), the meeting was adjourned to enable a number of members of the public to leave the gallery.
The meeting resumed at 9.12 pm and the Service Head, Democratic Services informed Members that the revised projected end time for the meeting was now 10.45 pm.
Urgent Motion – Woolworths (tabled)
Councillor Abjol Miah MOVED and Councillor Dulal Uddin SECONDED “That under Procedural rule 14.1.4, rule 13.1 be suspended to enable the following urgent motion on Woolworths to be considered at the meeting:-
This Council notes:
a) The imminent closure of Woolworths with the loss of 30,000 jobs, the biggest single loss of jobs so far in the credit crunch, and the loss of 815 high street stores supplying cheap and useful goods to people on low incomes;
b) That Woolworths has been made bankrupt by the credit crunch which saw banks refusing to roll over loans and insurers refusing to insure Woolworths debts;
c) That there are three Woolworths stores in Tower Hamlets, one in the Bethnal Green Road, one in Roman Road and one in Vesey Path near Chrisp Street, Poplar;
d) That the closure of Woolworths stores in Tower Hamlets will not only put more than 100 people out of work probably before Christmas but that it will also have an adverse effect on other shops and on market stalls in the Bethnal Green Road, Roman Road and Chrisp Street areas;
e) That the closure of Woolworths in the Roman Road is a particularly severe blow for this area which has already suffered the loss of the Safeways supermarket;
f) That the Government has moved with extraordinary alacrity to bail out the banks but has remained absolutely motionless with regard to Woolworths which provides real jobs providing a real service;
g) That Woolworths is on sale for just £1;
h) That George Galloway, MP for Bethnal Green and Bow has raised a petition which is now posted on the No. 10 website and an Early Day Motion 250 calling on the Government to save Woolworths and turn it into a People’s Woolies;
i) That George Galloway has asked for an urgent meeting with Business Secretary Lord Mandelson to demand that Woolworths be added to the list of companies Lord Mandelson has drawn up to save in the face of the worsening recession.
This Council supports all the initiatives that are being taken to demand the Government take action to save Woolies.
This Council believes the Leader of the Council should also seek an urgent meeting with the Business Secretary to urge Government intervention to save Woolworths.
This Council calls on the Government to intervene as a matter of urgency to save Woolworths, the 815 high street stores and 30,000 jobs.”
The procedural motion was put to the vote and was agreed.
Councillor Abjol Miah then MOVED and Councillor Dulal Uddin SECONDED, “That under Procedural Rule 14.1.3, the order of business be varied to enable the urgent motion in respect of Woolworths to be discussed as the next item of business.”
The procedural motion was put to the vote and was defeated. The motion on Woolworths was therefore placed as motion 11.13 on the agenda.
Supporting documents: