Agenda item
TO RECEIVE ANY DEPUTATIONS OR PETITIONS
The deputations and petitions received for presentation to the Council Meeting are set out in the attached agenda item 5.
Decision:
DEPUTATIONS
5.1.1 Deputation re: Campaigning Alliance for Lifelong Learning
Mr. Robert Foth addressed the meeting in support of the deputation.
DECISION
That the deputation be referred to the Corporate Director, Children’s Services for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
(Action by: Kevan Collins, Corporate Director, Children’s Services)
5.1.2 Deputation re: establishment of a Tesco Metro store in Poplar
Mr. Ajai Kapoor addressed the meeting in support of the deputation.
DECISION
That the deputation be referred to the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
(Action by: Aman Dalvi, Corporate Director, Development and Renewal)
5.1.3 Deputation re: lighting to be installed in Brickfield Gardens, E14
Messrs. Craig Aston and Graham Collins addressed the meeting in support of the deputation.
DECISION
That the deputation be referred to the Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
(Action by: Stephen Halsey, Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture)
PETITIONS
5.2.1 Petition re: Arnhem Wharf Primary School
Ms. Nazel Onder addressed the meeting in support of the petition.
DECISION
That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Children’s Services for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
(Action by: Kevan Collins, Corporate Director, Children’s Services)
5.2.2 Petition re: Millwall Park rugby pitch
Mr. James Eason addressed the meeting in support of the petition.
DECISION
That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
(Action by: Stephen Halsey, Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture)
5.2.3 Petition re: vandalism and management of the Exmouth Estate
Mr. Dave Coker addressed the meeting in support of the petition.
DECISION
That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
(Action by: Aman Dalvi, Corporate Director, Development and Renewal)
Minutes:
DEPUTATIONS
5.1.1 Deputation re: Campaigning Alliance for Lifelong Learning
At the invitation of the Mayor, Mr. Robert Foth addressed the meeting in support of the deputation. He brought to Members’ attention the fees that some students were having to pay and the effect he felt this would have on lifelong learning in the borough.
Mr. Foth responded to questions from Members of the Council.
Councillor Clair Hawkins, Lead Member for Children’s Services, responded to the matters raised by Mr. Foth and in doing so declared an interest as she was a former ESOL tutor and a member of the same union. Tower Hamlets has a proud record and strong support for adult education and remains committed to continuing that support. For Further Education Colleges, the fees policy is agreed by the College Board. A Working Neighbourhood Fund (WNF) ESOL for Work programme would be giving over 600 individuals the opportunity to access ESOL at entry level.
RESOLVED
That the deputation be referred to the Corporate Director, Children’s Services for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
5.1.2 Deputation re: establishment of a Tesco Metro store in Poplar
At the invitation of the Mayor, Mr. Ajai Kapoor addressed the meeting in support of the deputation concerning the establishment of a Tesco Metro store in Poplar which he felt would adversely affect a lot of small businesses in the area.
Mr. Kapoor responded to questions from Members of the Council.
Councillor Marc Francis, Lead Member for Housing and Development, responded to the matters raised by Mr. Kapoor. He said that it was understandable that people have concerns about small businesses being adversely affected in these difficult economic times. However, a review of Tesco’s land holdings in the borough showed that it had nine stores across Tower Hamlets and Councillor Francis felt it was difficult to sustain a view that there is an unacceptable proliferation of Tesco Metro and Express stores across the borough. In addition, competition between retailers was not a valid planning consideration.
Nevertheless, officers were working hard on the emerging Core Strategy LDF seeking to develop policies to ensure that retail provision within the borough’s town centres produced a mix of retail uses to suit all tastes, needs and wallets. Councillor Francis said that he would work with the officers and Mr. Kapoor to explore ways in which local small businesses could be supported.
RESOLVED
That the deputation be referred to the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
At this point (8.20pm) the Mayor adjourned the meeting to allow those Members who needed to observe prayers to do so.
The meeting resumed at 8.37pm.
5.1.3 Deputation re: lighting to be installed in Brickfield Gardens, E14
At the invitation of the Mayor, Messrs. Craig Aston and Graham Collins addressed the meeting in support of the deputation, Mrs. Valerie Lashmar being unable to attend. Messrs. Aston and Collins said that the gardens were attracting people from other areas who were carrying out anti-social behaviour after dark, and asked that lighting be installed as soon as possible.
Mr. Collins responded to questions from Members of the Council.
Councillor Abdal Ullah, Lead Member for Cleaner, Safer, Greener responded to the matters raised by the deputation. He said that this area had not been identified as a hot spot for crime or anti-social behaviour but the Council was aware that concerns had been raised by residents about young people gathering in the centre of Brickfield Gardens and it had been considering the best way to address these concerns, including through the provision of lighting.
The cost of purchasing and installing lighting had been estimated at £27,000 but there was currently no budget for the scheme and sources for funding were being explored, including the possibility of Section 106 contributions. The Council would continue to seek funding and would implement a lighting scheme as soon as it was able.
RESOLVED
That the deputation be referred to the Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
PETITIONS
5.2.1 Petition re: Arnhem Wharf Primary School
At the invitation of the Mayor, Ms. Nazel Onder addressed the meeting in support of the petition which opposed the expansion of Arnhem Wharf Primary School and called for a further investigation to be made into the management of the school. Ms. Onder also said that she had passed the petition signed by 47 parents to Councillor Snowdon.
Ms. Onder responded to questions from Members of the Council. Councillor David Snowdon then made a personal explanation about the conversations he had had with Ms. Onder and the action that he had taken in relation to the petition.
Councillor Clair Hawkins, Lead Member for Children’s Services, responded to the matters raised by Ms. Onder by explaining that the expansion proposals had been subject to extensive consultation with parents, pupils and staff from 7th May 2008 to February 2009. Only 23 responses had been received by parents from the Local Authority’s consultation paper of which 19 were in favour, 3 against and 1 unsure. The Local Authority had consulted widely on the expansion proposals and had followed the procedures specified by the Department for Children, Schools and Families. The expansion had been designed to meet the rising need for school places in Tower Hamlets.
Councillor Hawkins further reported that the bus stop mentioned in the petition would not be moved and London Buses had also agreed to provide a bus shelter. In addition, more space would be made available in the dining area to accommodate additional students.
RESOLVED
That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Children’s Services for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
5.2.2 Petition re: Millwall Park rugby pitch
At the invitation of the Mayor, Mr. James Eason addressed the meeting in support of the petition, Mr Mike Costin being unable to attend. Mr Eason gave a background to the history of the club and the benefits of playing matches on the Millwall Park rugby pitch for both the men’s and women’s teams.
Mr. Eason responded to questions from Members of the Council.
Councillor Rofique Ahmed, Leader Member for Culture and Leisure said that a review was under way of the potential impact of the use requested on other pitches and users and a meeting would be arranged with the club once this was complete.
RESOLVED
That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
5.2.3 Petition re: vandalism and management of the Exmouth Estate
At the invitation of the Mayor, Mr. Dave Coker addressed the meeting in support of the petition. He highlighted the concerns of the residents on the Exmouth Estate regarding the high level of vandalism, which Mr Coker felt illustrated the poor management of the estate by Swan Housing.
Mr. Coker responded to questions from Members of the Council.
Councillor Marc Francis, Lead Member for Housing and Development, thanked Mr. Coker for his presentation and reported that since the last Council meeting had received a petition on a related issue, he had visited the estate a further three times. Very few of the security doors were operational and Councillor Francis felt this failure to deliver was not good enough. He had therefore raised the matter himself with Swan’s Regional Manager. A revised schedule had been provided but Councillor Francis could not have full confidence that this would be achieved, so the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal would meet with the Chief Executive of Swan Housing, Mr. John Sinnett, at the earliest opportunity. Councillor Francis would update Members and representatives of the Exmouth Leaseholders Group again following that meeting.
RESOLVED
That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
Supporting documents: